Vinyl for Digitally Recorded Music - ?


I love my vinyl and I love my well mastered cds. But, I have started collecting vinyl versions of digitally recorded and mastered music and find that the quality just doesn't compare with the older analog recorded stuff. And, then I started wondering about the point of it all...

Obviously, analog recordings produced onto analog / vinyl media makes sense. Same is true for digital recordings produced onto digital / cd media. And for convenience, producing analog recordings on cds makes sense.

But, why should us "audiophiles" bother (other than the novelty and perhaps taking advantage of the studio's high quality D/A) to purchase vinyl versions of digitally recorded music?
poonbean

Showing 4 responses by albertporter


If you start with a super quality digital master converted to analog at the studio then press to a high quality LP, it's closer to the master than current silver discs.

I've posted on this topic countless times, I wish Sony - Phillips would pull out all the stops with a new digital format disc, maximum resolution without bandwidth limits, even if necessary to go Blue Ray format to hold all the data.

As for your comment that you are disappointed with digital master LPs, that does not match up with my experience.

A LOT of what has been released in recent time is from a digital master, most studios switched out long ago. Some of these recordings are superb.

If you really want to get angry with formats we're offered, get your hands on a few studio master dubs and play them on pro machine. It's a real eye opener.
Johnnyb53 posted while I was composing my response. Seems we are thinking the same thing.
Johnnb53 got it right and although I have no proof I'm betting the Allison Krauss live LP set on Mo Fi is digital master.

The new Massive Attack must be a digital master, again I don't have specifications but it's a very recent recording. This release is potentially a great way to compare the digital versus LP as Heligoland is triple LP plus (free) CD.

Here's a link to samples at Amazon. I just ordered a back up copy from The Vinyl Factory in London since everyone here is either out of stock or doubling prices.

Heligoland
Yep, that new Metheny, "Day Trip" is a great sounding LP.

I found mine on sale at Music Direct (3 LP + free CD) at $19.99, making it a true bargain and far more enjoyable musically than I expected, especially after initial judgement from the Amazon samples.