Possible purchase of the first turntable

@marco777 you just took us all on a self examination of our opinions of vinyl and records, and then concluded it’s not for you.  Kinda funny.

I digress here a lot, but this thread made me ask this question: why do some people like listening to vinyl records over digital files?  Here is what I came up with in a search:

1. Some people think it sounds better

2.  Some people grew up with vinyl and are nostalgic for the format

3.  Some people are collectors

4.  Some people like the experience of handling media and enjoy the 12 inch format, liner notes, photos and artwork

5.  Some people are drawn to modern vinyl record culture, small labels, self production

6.  Some people are intentional Luddites

7.  Some younger people are embracing vintage culture

8.  Some people are into rituals and getting up every 10-20 minutes to flip a record IS the attraction

9.  You own your content (same for CDs)

And why to some people prefer streaming?

1. Available content/easy access

2.  Cheap

3.  No scratches

4.  Convenience 

5.  Improving quality 

6.  Playlists 

7.  Simplicity

8.  It is the latest technology 

I grew up with vinyl records in my house and had a functioning turntable till my toddler daughter’s visiting friend trashed the stylus and I put it away for a decade and survived on a steady diet of CDs.  After that break I resurrected my table and have been listening to vinyl again with different systems for the last 20 years.  

I actively curate my record collection which has been joined by select pressings from at least five different family members who have opted out, and I buy an even split of new vinyl and hires files and the occasional used CD for $5 bucks.  All my CDs have been ripped to files and I find that I slightly prefer listening to files (any resolution) from local storage or vinyl to streaming.  And for some things, like drums and piano for example, I usually prefer analog reproduction.

If I didn’t already have analog gear and records now, would I go down this road?  I don’t know.  My son in his late 30s has a better system than I do including a proper analog front end.  He has a fairly large vinyl collection and I would guess listens to streaming and vinyl at a ratio of 80:20 respectively.  My daughter now has toddlers of her own and my son and I set her and her family up with a respectable streaming/vinyl system, and I bet she rarely plays records.

Turns out I like to fiddle with things, and there is noting in this hobby as fiddly as vinyl records, a turntable, a cartridge and a tube phono preamp.  And sometimes it all comes together and sounds fantastic.  You pays your money and you makes your choices.

kn

@marco777 Why do you consider getting into vinyl?

- Just to try something new? Then keep it cheap/simple. Many $/E500–1000 decks like uturn can get you a taste of the experience.

- Better SQ? "Better" is a loaded term. It will be different, and you may like the difference or you may not. Only experience can tell you.

- Nostalgia? Start cheap to see whether that nostalgia is holding up.

-> Whatever then reason, keep it cheap and very affordable, at a level where you will not loose any sleep if it a complete failure. Like trying a caffè or a biscotti at a different place. Based on pure Baysian prior probability, if you are not sure, it is unlikely you will like the experience/trouble.

If you go ahead and try it, identify the areas you like and dislike. Then adjust accordingly. If you like the physicality of the medium, great. But if inconvenience of getting up is driving you crazy, there is nothing that will help with it. If Sound quality is not ideal, then upgrade in gear may address that. If looking for records is fun, enjoy; if you find it a PITA, then there is no point.

I took a break from vinyl a few years ago, for basically the same reason Knowknothing did...   my kids snapped off the cantilever of my cartridge. 

Fortunately I kept my records so when I bought a new table in '22 I was off to a good start.   

I was going to do some upgrades on my table but I ended up trading it up for a Sota a few models up the line 

I like the ritual, finding used LPs , occasionally buying a new one.   I agree with what others say about the "loudness wars"  it's the reason I prefer the LP over the CD in many cases.  

The problem with "cheap" entry into vinyl is that good players aren't cheap.  Same with cartridges.   A cheap player could spoil what could be a good experience.