Why vinyl?

I was just browsing at the SF Stereo yesterday and came across two systems they had set in their lobby for auditions. The two systems were like opposite sides of the spectrum.

System 1 consisted of dynaudio temptation, Krell FB300, and Krell cast CDP.

System 2 consisted of dynaudio 1.3SE 25th anniversary, project RM-9, Project carbon tonearm, sumiko blue point, audio fidelity phono, and Krell KAV amp and pre-amp.

Before actually listening to either systems, I must be honest and say that I was more intrigue at system 1, mainly due to it's size and $$$$. However, after listening to both system, my ears were more attracted to system 2. The soundstage, depth, warmthness, and overall listening experience was amazing. Considering the difference in $$$, system 2 was up there if not more enjoyable to listen to then system 1.

Besides the sound characteristics of vinyl, I think prefer vinal over CDs because it's has a life. Records comes alive and will eventually looses its quality over time and usage, where CDs can have unlimited playing hours. Vinyl are in ways like human, which I think makes it more interesting and lifelike to experience over CDs. Vinyl requires tweaking, cleaning, and more hassels than CDs. I can say the same about keeping a human being alive. At end of the day it's all worth it.

The ticks, pops and maintenance of vinyl are just not worth it. Have you heard the remastered Stones CD's? They sound terrific without any harshness. But my system is certainly not an audiophile one.

Because it touches, moves and inspires every time.
that's why.
keep the vinyl spinning.

I must chime in here as a long time CD listener and brand new vinyl user. Vinyl is just way better. It has nothing to do with human factors like the fact that vinyl deteriorates like a human. If I could get vinyl sound from a CD, trust me I'd be the happiest of all. But the reality is it just sounds way better, even with the unwanted cracks, pops, and all. More lifelike, more realistic, more pleasing. The traces that the music is being digitally reconstructed simply aren't there with analog.

I do think eventually digital will catch up and be able to reproduce with record-level quality, yet retain all the advantages of CD (if the public supports such upgrades...mp3 is frightening evidence of the contrary). I remember being told at one point that the CD's bandwidth is greater than the human ear can detect. This flat out lie was probably created as part of a CD marketing campaign, where they doctored some data or played some 80 year olds some test tones or something.

Seems unrealistic to ditch CD's. For me, best bet is to still collect and play CD's, but keep some good quality records on hand for my at home, dedicated listening.