Why vinyl

I couldn’t wait for digital to arrive.  I was so fed up with warped, skipping, popping records, and digital with its expanded dynamic range and absolute quiet background was like a gift from the Gods.  Yet when used LP stores popped up I did get a rush of nostalgia hanging out in them, reading the classical liner notes , and I didn’t own a turntable.

  Eventually I purchased one, got into the whole vinyl replay thing, and then after a couple of years remembered why I hated vinyl in the first place.

  I do miss the liner notes.  Extracting a CD booklet from the jewel case and using a magnifying glass, or doing a web search, isn’t as much fun

@mahler123 ​​​​​​Excellent post. I’m more of a rock man, but I can see that CDs were a absolute boon for classical music listeners.

As you say, the downside was the booklets. During the CD era, I just gave up reading liner notes altogether. I don’t even bother reading the LP sleeves now, as some them are challenging, too.

It’s an advantage of Roon that there are artist bios and reviews on the control point. That’s a big improvement on CD booklets, but no substitute for LP liner notes. 

Back in the old days, l read every single word on LP covers and inserts. It was an integral part of the listening experience along with the cover art.

And of course, as is often said LP sleeves were useful for rolling joints on. 😉

I have been listening to vinyl my whole life I'm 74...My stepfather played lps all the time on a,nice console....I was like 6.....so after 68 years vinyl isn't so special anymore. DON'T get me wrong I love the sound but the prices of 40 dollars or more....I'll buy cheap cds now.

@limomangus I’m only a couple of years behind you, but still think there’s something a bit special about vinyl. 

Recently, I stumbled upon a tweak to my streaming setup that has shrunk the gap in sound quality. I have spent a couple weeks enjoying the sound of ripped CDs again. Some of them sound amazing.

However, when I go back to vinyl, it’s like "Wow! This is something else." There is a lot to be said for having the ability to switch between formats, if you can bear the cost.

Vive la difference.