Anyone here into collecting vinyl LP's?

[Brave Volunteer]

I've always thought the "vinyl sounds better" argument to be a little silly but, at the same time, I can't judge. I absolutely refuse, and never will, to start using digital books. When I read a book, I want to have something I can hold and turn the pages.

I fully realize that digital books are cheaper and more efficient but I also don't care. I'll continue reading actual books until it's simply not an option, which I don't see happening anytime soon.

So even though I don't get it, I get it (if that makes sense).

I do think vinyl sounds better but you're right in that for me, part of the appeal of buying vinyl is the fact that I like the larger packaging. I like the big jackets that allows you to see the artwork. I LOVE double albums with big gatefold jackets, especially when they include booklets or other inserts! I just always feel like I'm getting something much more substantial for my money. Not only that, many vinyl releases now are coming with free digital download versions so you can have the music both at home and on the go.

Also, something that I really appreciate about vinyl is that it takes a certain level of commitment to listen to it. The vinyl experience isn't like selecting a random playlist on an iPhone or on Spotify. When you put a record on, you commit to experiencing the whole thing. You take the whole record in. I like that. It's also made me stop what I'm doing and actually LISTEN to music again. I feel like music in most people's lives is completely a peripheral thing. We have become conditioned to shove music into the background of whatever else it is we're doing in our lives. We have it on while we drive, while we work, while cook, while we clean house, while we wash the car, etc. However very seldom, if ever, do we stop what we're doing and actually take the time to make listening to music the thing that we focus on. To pay attention to things like the performances, the vocals, the lyrics, the production quality, etc. Going back to vinyl has motivated me to get back to this and I must say it has really enriched my life.

 

[bamawriter]

It's all personal taste and perception. A quality DAC and digital file can produce a very warm and full sound. Likewise, the other components in the system add characteristic.

For example, the vinyl difference may be a partial artifact of a dedicated preamp that the other components don't go through.

My personal suspicion is that people think they are hearing a significant difference. Nothing wrong with that of course but I believe the true (physical) difference is exaggerated.

I think you'd only hear the difference if you listened to a CD and vinyl back-to-back.

I'm definitely not saying that I have a problem with CDs. I collect vinyl more for the sake of collecting that because I have an issue with digital sound. That said, I've never owned an Ipod or any other digital music player, as I prefer a physical product.

 

[volinbham]

I think you'd only hear the difference if you listened to a CD and vinyl back-to-back.

I'm definitely not saying that I have a problem with CDs. I collect vinyl more for the sake of collecting that because I have an issue with digital sound. That said, I've never owned an Ipod or any other digital music player, as I prefer a physical product.

What kind of CD player do you have? Newer and better DACs can make a world of difference.

I moved to digital years ago and haven't looked back. Ripped all my CDs into iTunes as lossless files (over 1000 CDs). Since then have been buying electronic files rather than hard media.

Stream music to 4 different locations and can control it all with my phone.

Most of my equipment is mid-fi and now just amplification and speakers.

I have an office with my turntable and will use that as a listening room but generally I'm not analytically listening to music.

I'm currently looking at DACs to improve the sound quality but cannot foresee going back to physical media except for the occasional album listening.

 

[bamawriter]

What kind of CD player do you have? Newer and better DACs can make a world of difference.

The only CD player I have is in my car. I listen to my LPs at home.

 

[heartvols]

My dad has tons of vinyl records from the 70s and 80s and they will belong to me someday.

 

[volfanbill]

I did a lot of audio production in college so maybe I'm just a different breed. The difference in sound to me is unmistakable.

 

[BenGrimm]

I do think vinyl sounds better but you're right in that for me, part of the appeal of buying vinyl is the fact that I like the larger packaging. I like the big jackets that allows you to see the artwork. I LOVE double albums with big gatefold jackets, especially when they include booklets or other inserts! I just always feel like I'm getting something much more substantial for my money. Not only that, many vinyl releases now are coming with free digital download versions so you can have the music both at home and on the go.

Also, something that I really appreciate about vinyl is that it takes a certain level of commitment to listen to it. The vinyl experience isn't like selecting a random playlist on an iPhone or on Spotify. When you put a record on, you commit to experiencing the whole thing. You take the whole record in. I like that. It's also made me stop what I'm doing and actually LISTEN to music again. I feel like music in most people's lives is completely a peripheral thing. We have become conditioned to shove music into the background of whatever else it is we're doing in our lives. We have it on while we drive, while we work, while cook, while we clean house, while we wash the car, etc. However very seldom, if ever, do we stop what we're doing and actually take the time to make listening to music the thing that we focus on. To pay attention to things like the performances, the vocals, the lyrics, the production quality, etc. Going back to vinyl has motivated me to get back to this and I must say it has really enriched my life.

That's a good analysis and makes me want to take up vinyl collecting as a hobby. Unfortunately I don't have the time to commit to sitting down and listening to an album to make it worth the investment at this moment.

Although a lot of it for me is definitely nostalgia. As someone in their mid to late 30's I'm part of the last generation who remembers when Record stores sold records as a wee youngen. By the time I was a teenager the tape cassette and CD had completely taken over. Admittedly I was quick to drop tapes for CDs and CDs for MP3s but vinyl always captured the sound of my childhood.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

That's a good analysis and makes me want to take up vinyl collecting as a hobby. Unfortunately I don't have the time to commit to sitting down and listening to an album to make it worth the investment at this moment.

Although a lot of it for me is definitely nostalgia. As someone in their mid to late 30's I'm part of the last generation who remembers when Record stores sold records as a wee youngen. By the time I was a teenager the tape cassette and CD had completely taken over. Admittedly I was quick to drop tapes for CDs and CDs for MP3s but vinyl always captured the sound of my childhood.

I certainly don't want to tell you your business and obviously I don't know what your daily life is like. However I'm of the opinion that to take the time you have to make the time. I didn't think I'd have time either. I have a full time job, I'm married with 2 young kids, etc. So believe me I understand that feeling of not having the time. The way I made time for listening to more music was that I simply gave up TV time. The amount of TV that I watch now is extremely small. So the time that I would normally have spent in front of the TV, I now spend relaxing on my couch with a drink and listening to Miles Davis or Pink Floyd.

 

[BenGrimm]

Anyone have one of these beauties in working order? My grandparents had one when I was growing up. I used to love sitting around it listening to records. IF I were to get into this hobby I think I would seek one of these out.


edit...(should have double checked that screen grab first LOL)

 

[vols72]

Anyone have one of these beauties in working order? My grandparents had one when I was growing up. I used to love sitting around it listening to records. IF I were to get into this hobby I think I would seek one of these out.


edit...(should have double checked that screen grab first LOL)

My Grandmother still has one

 

[joevol320]

I just got into the hobby myelf and I have to say it can be quite addicting. I thought I'd start a thread for fellow vinyl enthusiasts to share knowledge, vinyl discoveries, etc.

My gear:

Pro Ject Debut Carbon DC turntable with Ortofon Red 2M cartridge/stylus.

Vincent Pho-8 Phono Pre-Amp

Sony SDRTH-520 Receiver

Polk Audio 8" sattelite speaker 150 watt.

Recent vinyl purchases:

what receiver and speakers do you use?

 

[joevol320]

It's all personal taste and perception. A quality DAC and digital file can produce a very warm and full sound. Likewise, the other components in the system add characteristic.

For example, the vinyl difference may be a partial artifact of a dedicated preamp that the other components don't go through.

My personal suspicion is that people think they are hearing a significant difference. Nothing wrong with that of course but I believe the true (physical) difference is exaggerated.

agreed, you really need good receiver, good amp and speakers. to bring it out.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

what receiver and speakers do you use?

Right now I'm just using a Sony STRDH520 7.1 AV receiver along with some Polk Audio satellite speakers and a subwoofer. It's nothing terribly high end but it sounds good to me. Currently I'm looking to upgrade my front speakers to a nice set of Klipsch book shelves.

Here's what I'm using...

Amazon.com: Polk Audio RM101 Satellite Speaker (Single, Black): Electronics

Amazon.com: Sony STRDH520 7.1 Channel 3D AV Receiver (Black) (Discontinued by Manufacturer): Electronics

 

[BenGrimm]

What kind of CD player do you have? Newer and better DACs can make a world of difference.

I moved to digital years ago and haven't looked back. Ripped all my CDs into iTunes as lossless files (over 1000 CDs). Since then have been buying electronic files rather than hard media.

Stream music to 4 different locations and can control it all with my phone.

Most of my equipment is mid-fi and now just amplification and speakers.

I have an office with my turntable and will use that as a listening room but generally I'm not analytically listening to music.

I'm currently looking at DACs to improve the sound quality but cannot foresee going back to physical media except for the occasional album listening.

I posted this in the pub a few weeks back but it applies to this thread too....

Audio Quality Quiz Results: You Did Slightly Better Than Guessing Randomly : The Record : NPR

FTR I failed the quiz (which I assumed I would). Listening to vinyl would be 100% nostalgia for me.