Is MP3 responsible for the return of Vinyl?

My friend is a DJ and he can scratch a CD the same way he scratches an LP, so I don't think DJ's are part of the equation at all. I never saw a DJ with a really good anaolg rig. Excellent analog just sunds more natrual and superior to excellent digital, and audiophiles who really have a keen ear and who can put up with the inconveinence of analog have created a market full of many analog choices.

As digital has improved greatly over the years, so has analog.

Dance and hip-hop definitely kept vinyl alive during the dark ages of the (late) 80's and 90's, but today a lot of DJs are backing away from using vinyl when they perform (or whatever you want to call it), either switching to CD rigs or using computer software like Serato produces. DJs are still buying tons of vinyl, but I can't blame them for not wanting to haul heavy boxes of records everywhere and risk them getting lost, damaged or stolen. I've even heard that certain famous DJs charge different fees depending on whether you want them to play LPs or DJ digitally.

It's also worth noting that punk, hardcore and indie rock helped keep vinyl alive - in the case of punk, 45s and LPs have always been the standard format, even in the 90's. If I didn't grow up going to punk shows and collecting punk records I probably wouldn't care about vinyl today.

I just ordered (on the net) an "off the beaten path" classical CD. Had to go to Norway to do this. I find that European dealers have superior selections, but with the fall of the dollar the prices have become high.

the loudness wars are at least partially responsible as lps tend to be better mastered at least for classic rock and 50-60s jazz