Would vinyl even be invented today?


Records, cartridges and tonearms seem like such an unlikely method to play music--a bit of Rube Goldberg. Would anyone even dream of this today? It's like the typewriter keyboard--the version we have may not be the best, but it stays due to the path dependence effect. If vinyl evolved from some crude wax cylinder to a piece of rock careening off walls of vinyl, hasn't it reached the limits of the approach? Not trying to be critical--just trying to get my head around it.
128x128jafreeman
One has merely to have an elementary understanding of American society to know his comment is spot on and anything but silly.
BIF, most on here see themselves in your post.
However, that represents about .01 % of Americans.
Scvan is correct .
"12-25-14: Bifwynne
Zd542 .... maybe using the phrase "ironically cool" does not reflect the motivation of many. In my case, I bought a 1st generation VPI Classic 1 and DIY "modded" it to near Classic 3 performance."

That's my point exactly. You're into vinyl because you like the way it sounds. That, and already having a large collection of records, are the only 2 reasons I can see for buying a TT. Why would it be more complicated than that?
"12-25-14: Schubert
One has merely to have an elementary understanding of American society to know his comment is spot on and anything but silly."

Schubert,

I assume you were commenting on this:

""The resurgence of vinyl is not about sound quality it is about hipsters being ironically cool."

Sorry, but that is a silly comment. How do you know what motivates an individual to buy a TT? Can you even come up with 1 piece of evidence to show that's a true statement?"

I'll be happy to consider your point of view, but you have to tell us what it is. If something is spot on, there's no need to be general, or cryptic. What exactly are we talking about here?
Scvan, as a record store owner I have to totally disagree.
I sold lots of great TT that can easily outperform even expensive CD-player. There are plentyplentier in $200 range 70's and 80's vintage that can sound very good paired with same priced vintage receiver. Among thousands of customers visiting store maybe 1 or 2 using Crosley or Numark, the rest Thorens, Linn, Technics 1200, 1300, 1600, Sony PS3300, Pioneer PL40, PL50, PL560... I can continue this list for few or several more pages. It's only I guess audiophile dogma...