Rediscovering records

Mahler was recorded playing some of his music on the piano.  I guarantee that you will be better able to hear these recordings from a digital restoration than by listening to the original rolls.

And threads take on a life of their own.  Comparing the ability of digital vs analog on the ability to faithfully capture orchestral sound sheds light on the challenges faced by analog, which is very relevant to the issues raised by the OP.  No need to play Thred Enforcer

Everyone likes challenges otherwise we would have no sports. I don’t however think it is a challenge to play vinyl. People must just get past all this thing about digital versus vinyl.

Is it not correct to think that any form of restoration that only reduces noise or hiss remains true and authentic to the original sound recording? Surely it’s purely subjective by the remixer to think what should be added/subtracted here and there? Altering the sound recording available can be bad. We all know about bad remastering.

Maybe the OP can confirm if he is only concerned with vinyl reproduction within this discussion, it certainly feels like this to me.

From previous threads we know that the OP has both digital and analog setups.

I don’t see why people are so bothered by comparing the ability to capture a large orchestra with digital versus analog.  

I do digital, too. In fact, my system is digital most of the way through. But vinyl is still special, especially for the genres I like.

On a half decent turntable it is a delight. On a really good one, it is even better. They’ve come on in leaps and bounds over recent years.

Upgrading did wonders for mine - miles better than where it was five years ago. The only downside is that I can’t afford the latest upgrades. Not that it bothers me as I’m happy with what I’ve got. The availability of new upgrades doesn’t make it sound any worse. As a friend said, upgrading is like a bus - you can get off when you’ve gone as far as you need to go. Plus, there’ll be another one along soon.

It’s mind blowing how good a fifty or more year old record can sound. Much better than it ever could have done when it was new. New ones can sound great too - mastering is key.

@newton_john 

50 and 60 year old records can still sound wonderful, even with orchestra.  Depending on the mastering.