2. analog
  3. 150983-1659

Why do YOU love Vinyl/or hate vinyl

I just responded to the thread on how many sources do you have ( shotgunning tonight) and got me wondering why I love vinyl so much? Have a very good digital side on both my main system and my headphone system as well that was set up for Redbook playback (headphone system) only utilising my vast 1,000 CD collection, enjoyed it for about a year, added a turntable and haven't used it since. My love of vinyl has been with me for 55 years, buying and playing, setting up my tables , matching preamps and enjoying the fruit of my labor. I believe my love of vinyl is a simple one, it stemmed from the hands on, need to tinker and adjust that I was born with, it's a very physical attraction that I just can not resist, it satisfies a lot of needs for me and in some way is that mistress that I maintain. My turntable is massive and so easy to look at, I can touch it and get more out of it, I can read about the artist and get info while I listen to an album, I can swap out a cartridge and change the tone and in the day the album covers served as a rolling tray to roll a joint. I love vinyl, but absolutely understand while others don't. I also envy people like uberwaltz that have and use so many sources, wish I could. What say you?
tooblue

Showing 12 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Now I'm trying to figure out how enlightenment & fondling fit into my love for music...
Do I REALLY have to explain that one to ya Boxer!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@mach12.
I would say the point of it all is just to enjoy the music however it is played from whatever source.
And to some that is the point of all the audiophile gear.
Or if not let's all just listen to an old GEC radio and be done with it.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
rbstehno

Sorry my memory aint what it used to be, sure you mentioned that before but now you are bringing another variable into the mix, that of cost.

Sure recording onto reel on good quality tape at 7.5ips minimum is not cheap but I had not even thought about or factored in cost.
Heck if I start thinking about cost I must as well just sling a rope up over the rafters and be done with it all..... lol.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
How cheap and basic do you want to go?
Google Chromecast Audio, $45 on eBay
Will stream up to 24/96 from Tidal or Qobuz and output over analog rca or mini toslink.
And then from there the sky is the limit or how deep is your pocket?
Plenty of good threads on that subject but feel free to start a new one and get the current crop of the streamers.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
also, why would you tape a digital recording when you can play it at anytime?
Have you listened to a good r2r recording of digital stream?
If you had I dare say you would not be asking that question.

YMMV
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I think @bdp24 is correct and we really should not refer to it as vinyl.
Conjures up images of some sado masochistic dungeon scene.

Or is that just me.......

😉😉
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
About cheapest and easiest way you can get into streaming is likely a Google Chromecast Audio gizmo.
About $40 to $45 on fleabay.
Should connect to your home Wi-Fi and then stream both Tidal and Qobuz, Spotify too I think.
It can output RCA analog or toslink digital.
Good luck with the future......
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Mike
Tbh I have never read the small print that goes along with hitting that little box saying I accept the terms and regulations maybe I should have ... Lol

Because that is EXACTLY what I do.
I have some fantastic R2R copies streamed direct from Qobuz 24/ 96 hirez files.

Maybe it is not legal, I do not know but it is not the first time I have mentioned this in these forums and nobody has ever got bent out of shape over it.

And when I replay those reels it is magical and the tape seems to give it that little bit of warmth and air that makes it so enjoyable and just downright foot tapping good!
Then it is a VERY hard call between the record or the reel......
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Mike
Funny you should say that as I too stream Pandora when on the road from my hotel room via laptop, stream quality really does not matter too much via crummy laptop speakers and low volume...lol.

But for the serious listening in the main home rig then Qobuz has really upped the ante imho.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Mike
Are you serious on the compressed files streaming?
Sure if you stick to iTunes or Spotify that is what you will find.
But no serious listener stops there
Tidal, Deezer or Qobuz ALL have hirez streaming 24/96 and 24/192 with Qobuz being the best of the bunch so far imho.
You have to pay to play of course $ 20 to $24 a month depending on plan but then unlimited access to millions of albums.
I have already said my piece on analog playback but streaming is NOT to be dismissed so lightly today I am afraid.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Excellent point Boxer.

Even at my very fairly priced lrs I have noticed an ever upward spiral on pricing.

I am not amused at paying $8 to $10 for just mediocre quality.

i sincerely hope it does not get as silly as r2r tape pricing.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Jeez Miller.
Don't you wish you had chosen the OTHER pill.

And to the OP, thank you for the mention and kind words in your initial OP.

Even though in my world analog rules the day I just have so much of every type of media to play records only.
Probably 2500 CD, 50 BluRay and DVD audio, 40 SACD, 150 R2R, 1000 cassette and about 1200 records.
Then there is streaming too.

In my system records probably give me the most organic and dynamic playback although r2r and cassette are both snapping at its heels.

I can't say as I love or hate any media ( well as long as we do not mention 8 track of course!).
But they are so different and individual as to cherish them all in my system.

And sure some days, like tonight I just cannot be bothered to get up and flip records so it's cassette now likely followed by Qobuz streaming.
Tomorrow might be a vinyl all day job.
More to discover