Analog is the new pink


I work with a lot of "kids" in their 20's who seem to think analog is cool, so they are buying cheap turntables and used vinyl and acting like they know the difference between the sound of records vs. CDs. I think it is great that they are discovering analog in an age that has gone digital, but in my experience CDs actually sound better when using lower end equipment. I didn't truly fall in love with analog until I was able to afford a serious system costing thousands of dollars. My ears are older now so I understand that I am not as able to hear certain frequencies, but my old ears can definitely hear the difference between good and bad sounding systems.
I am not complaining, just making an observation here. I also enjoy the fashion side of vinyl, but I wouldn't be listening to vinyl if I didn't have the great system that I own. It would not be worth the trouble. Thoughts?
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There is exactly nothing wrong with this little vinyl "fadlet" among hipsters or anybody else as the only result is good for vinyl...hard to fault newbie youngsters for "moving on" from what might have been a "closer brush with vinyl", as anybody who has one of these young people around can attest to the taste and style niches they need to own. My daughter was dragged (she seemed to like it) to several years of monthly "Folkie-esque singer/songwriter" concerts I mixed, until she got older and lost interest. Now she's a college kid and part of the DJ/Dubstep "dance 'till you drop" scene, and that's all she seems to listen to for now. She does like my guitar playing though...so there's that at least. Vinyl has momentum now...new pressing plants, etc., and really...how many people does anyone know who really cares about HiFi? It's always been damn few, and that's fine with me.
In my are...exile in main st goes for 30 used...Cmon that's rape...we all know the seller got a stale cookie for it...that's just one example...there is tremendous profit with used sales...even on crap product...some indie stores are taking advantage if this
I have grown kids who have always enjoyed my system and expressed their admiration by asking their friends to listen. They recently accompanied me on a vinyl hunting trip and picked up several lp's of their own. Records shop owners in Philly and New York have told me that most of their clients are younger. Kids are easily attracted to the simplicity of mp3's but react positively to quality audio. Vinyl does things that digital can't and many who experience this will be permanently attracted. College kids will one day have lots of money to spend- that's the future of audio. BTW my kids and I have been to Brandi Carlisle concerts (their style)and now we're going to see Jane Monheit (my style). Quality sells!
When I was a kid back in the 70's, my father had a TT based system and so did my older brother.

I had a few crappy things to play some records on, radio etc. I mostly listened to radio, as media was pretty much unobtainable with no income. I could only hope to be gifted something, maybe an occasional allowance. If PC's and downloading were common then like they are now, you can bet I would have been downloading constantly, and files without too much compression would have sounded infinitely better then what I was experiencing on old worn out gear.

The point I'm trying to make is that I read everywhere that people think kids don't understand what good sound is and/or appreciate it. I think it's quite contrary. I think that kids do, and they have it a lot better then most of the kids did back in "the good ol' days". Sure I've heard them running around with iPods and headphones they came with, but I have often seen these kids try a different set of headphone and watch their eyes light up, adults too.

If vinyl IS a fad/trend, then so be it. I have to agree that if it's helping to keep the interest alive then that's good for us vinyl lovers. I do feel that there are so many things that can go with a basic TT setup, used or otherwise, that the "hip~ness" of it may be enough to keep some interested, but not over the long haul. Hopefully, there will be a few interested enough to get it right and I dont doubt that there will be.
I am putting together a bunch of jazz LPs of which I own duplicate copies to give to my 29-year-old nephew. Last time I visited his home in Michigan, I was happily surprised to see a turntable in a small cabinet system. He actually remarked that this particular tt was not nearly as good as the one he and his wife had owned in their previous home. He was thinking about an upgrade. One must encourage such behavior.