2. digital
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Tried analog yet again after decades of digital

Ok Im posting this on the digital format because Id be handed my head if on the analog side.I like many over the years decided to try analog again.Ive hauled around records for years from place to place and never really wanted to part with them,more a memory thing I guess.To the point,I purchased a VPI scout recently,mounting a benz micro cartridge to it and various phone preamps I have inside such things as receivers and integrated amps along with a stand alone phono.Bought the record cleaner machine and all the stuff necessary to use the format properly,I think.Set the table up with time and patience and dialed it in as best I could without getting anal about it.What Im finding is a format that is really inferior to digital IMO.I say this forgetting the fact I wasn't expecting much as years ago I tried the same venture with disappointment of the out come.The constant snap ,crackle pop even on unplayed records,the hassle of having to get up every 15 minute to change the side,constant cleaning,setup of the table,all the bobbles needed to make it all go.I think to even come close to digital one must spend tons of money and tons of time.Im sure there are sytems that sound incredible,but at what expense and how much time devoted to it..Dont get me wrong its fun to play music that never made it to disc but anyone thinking alone these same lines as to recapturing what was once the only game in town,think long and hard.
missioncoonery
rtilden
156 posts
 
I am pretty much with Chayro. First, you need to be able to hear the difference. Second, you need to want it enough to go through the vinyl record playing regimen. For many of us who have done it for 30 years, it is second nature and takes very little time. I don't mind it a bit. Finally, I have very, very few records with ticks or pops. If you pass #1 & #2 above, I recommend looking into a different phono preamp. Many experts have noted that the correct treatment of RIAA practically eliminates that concern. My CODA phono preamp must be a good one. The few records that do pop have visible damage from some type of handling issue, if I look closely.
One concession: My CDP is an Aesthetix Romulus, and I like it a lot. My vinyl rig cost 3 times that, but it really kicks ass.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
I tend to disagree that expensive CD systems are the answer at least without doing a whole of things to them. If someone is not willing to put in the time money and effort with digital it will definitely sound thin, like paper mâché, bass shy, boomy, glassy, hazy, two dimensional, congealed, synthetic, electronic, metallic and generic. No two ways about it.
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
But I do agree that if you don't hear what vinyl has to offer, there's no sense fooling around with it. You either hear it or you don't.
Chayro

Another option is, either you prefer it or you don't.
bigkidz
1,784 posts
 
That depends on the DAC and phono preamp you are using. I build a DHT DAC that outperforms most high priced analog set-ups. I also build a DHT phono stage that makes analog just as good maybe even better. You cannot make a general statement like this. Since I make my own gear including DHT preamp and I am able to demonstrate it in many other systems, do I can hear what most of you are hearing from both sides. I personally use digital for convenience and the DHT DAC sounds amazing, too close to call and I don't have to clean records and set-up the arms, etc. I also use a CEC transport that makes a big difference in the sound of my digital set-up. It is a step down without it.

Happy Listening.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
I really respect Theo1124's answer. Like him, I believe it starts with a love of vinyl. I'm not talking about building a mega-dollar system, I sure don't have one, but it's more than entry level and listening is a pleasure.

I'm talking about the love of the medium, the collecting of LPs, their cover design and artwork. And as many of you know, there used to be a high level of craftsmanship that went into producing and cutting a record and it was tactile; you could feel it and see it, not to mention all the collectible vinyl.

I started playing records and collecting as a teenager and now I'm in my 50s. That's why I said earlier, I don't expect vinyl to sound the same as digital; there is some noise and coloration.

But like many, playing vinyl started to become too much work and mostly I listen to CDs now. But I'll still devote an afternoon to analogue.

IMO, vinyl isn't for everyone, and Missioncoonery, it sounds to me like you had a mismatch in your analogue chain or an other than optimal setup.
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