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The Great Vinyl Debate

Vinyl record prices are out of control. Their quality is also lacking: Too many poor pressings and cheap packaging (paper sleeves and cheap card stock outer sleeves) don't justify the price. My question is why is this happening?

I refuse to buy re-issues when used originals can still be had cut from the original analog sources to those that love to search for them (I get that some folks don't care for hunting/waiting) and ultimatly find them.

The trouble I have is with the price of "new vinyl." It varies of course, but both indie and major label vinyl records are grossly over priced IMO. I have no qualms about supported an artist whatsoever, however the average price for LPs both single and double and box sets are outragous.

Labels, distributors et. al. appear to be taking advantage of an inflated/exaggerated supply and demand equilibrium more so these days than ever before. Why is this? Even tho I've been hearing and reading about the vinyl resurgance since 2007 and the plethora of other documents stating that it's on the rise - even that vinyl is killing the compact disc - only 3 people where I work have turntables (that includes me) but I'm the only one that actually listens to, and buys records. In my world, I don't see the resurgance at all. But I do see inflated record prices along the lines of $46 for double LPs and $35 dollars for single LPs! These aren't re-issue inflated prices either - these are new music prices. And most if not all don't include "free MP3 downloads" (who wants MP3's anyway?)

Perhaps the recording industry believes that if they have a customer base that will pay $2000 for one foot of power cord or $10K+ for turntables (sans tonearm and cartridge) - we won't balk at $30 150 gram records or multi-hundred dollar box sets.

I'm a music lover not a sucka. Hey music industry mad men I'm on to you - the revolution is now....
notec
jesusa0
155 posts
 
I refused to take the vinyl route once more because of what you are saying, even though I admit a very few of my old CDs sound worst than the original LP.

Lately, I found out that the master "tapes" used for some vinyls came from CDs. Seems like in the old days when master "tapes" used for CDs were LPs.

I´m still using as a main and only source an Esoteric UX-1 player as a transport and a Yamamoto YDA-01 DAC and I couldn´t be happier.

One more note, also I wouldn´t go the computer audio road until is more mature and I would get real evidence that it sounds better than CDs.

Daniel
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Best to wait for the audio Blu-Ray which will go for $25. The sonics beat anything on vinyl. Yes, I am still into vinyl, close to 8,000 lps, but I do not buy new vinyl as it is not a good value. Knowing the business model of new vinyl I do not think it is overprices, just not a good value.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
I expect the arm and cartridge to track the same throughout the record from the first track to the last and I have never heard that on any table I have heard regardless of cost. I am talking about $20,000,00 tables. It is better on these tables and the resolution on the first 3 songs is fantastic because of the incredible engineering that goes into the tonearm. You can try to convince yourself that it is tracking perfectly, but it is an inherent flaw in the designs of turntables and records. Many used records are damaged especially in the inner grooves which does not help either. I am also waiting for audio Blu-Ray which I have heard on video tracks and as it is phenomenal. Then I will have another version of my favorite albums. I must have 2 to 3 copies of some stuff. lol Right now my tonearm and cartridge tracks pretty good after a year of fiddling, but it is not perfect.
koegz
317 posts
 
This is such a funny debate. You guys are right vinyl sucks and cd's are great. Long live cd's. Like I said you guys are funny. Oh and you wait for the blu-ray audio. I hear it will be bigger then SACD. Do they still make them? Vinyl is all HYPE anyway, right?
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I have no issues regarding inner groove distortion with any of my turntable/tonearm/cartridge combinations.

For those experiencing a problem, in virtually every case, it's a combination of poor hardware, poor matching, and improper alignment.

As far as new vinyl pricing is concerned, nobody is forced to buy. If the cost is prohibitive, buy used vinyl or fire up the cd player.

IMO

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