Tried analog yet again after decades of digital

I am going through the same transition. Listened to vinyl back in the 70-80s. Then seduced by the convenience of CDs. Then the disappointment with CDs as the resolution of my system increased. Then the return of happiness with digital when I began ripping CDs for playback on the Bryston BDP-1. Now, after 35 -40 years, resurrected my LP collection which I never abandoned.

I can say I have some recordings where digital is superior, and others where LP blows the digital away. Strongly depends on program material, how old the LP is and when it was recorded, and compared to what digital source. I have some digital recordings where a significant amount of low level detail is just gone, and other vinyl sources that sound thin and lacking in bass. Remember that the most recent "remasters" of 80's vintage music are made from very old (and perhaps degraded) tapes, and any reproduction from these is never going to compare with a first pressing vinyl version of the same music pressed back in the 70s or 80s. Sprinkle that with an overuse of noise reduction by engineers producing digital music for the masses and you can have large differences. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon comes to mind.

I agree there is a ritual to using phono, and cleaning is a vital part. I use the simple immersion spin cleaners. They are cheap enough that I have two; one for detergent cleaning and one for rinsing. I use DI water in both, and find that many of the surface noise issues of the 80s are gone. Completely. Immersion in a fluid is the only reliable way to remove static charges, and a semi-dry vacuum brush system can put static back.

Zerostat will help with that.

There are tons of ways to deal with static electricity including but not limited to use of a long lasting commercial type spray on the carpet and other surfaces that could develop a static electric charge such as windows, bookshelves and clothes, a negative ion type room air purifier, even a coupla desk top devices would be a lot better than nothing, a tourmaline gun (that produces negative ions from heating the tourmaline) products such as Nordost Anti Static Spray and last but not least a humidifier to, you know, reduce the potential for static electrical charges generally.

Yes, there are other ways to deal with static. Most are hit and miss because vinyl is an insulator and pockets of static charge can get on the surface. Unless you contact that pocket directly, a brush or Zerostat will not be that effective. I have tried those ozone/ionizers that are battery operated and they are basically the same as a Zerostat, only better because they produce a flow of ionized gas and you don't need to keep pulling a trigger.

The one sure fire way that always works is dipping in a fluid like deionized water. It is the ultimate "humidifier". With a small amount (~2%) of IPA (iso-propyl alcohol) for wetting, it gets in the smallest nooks and grooves a brush cannot. Dries with zero residues if you use high quality DI water.

Would rather use pure water than any "anti-static" spray that could leave residues or contamination.

Vinyl had a very long run as the standalone medium without many contenders barking behind it. (I'm talking populist application here, not necessarily audiophile)  I started on 45rpm singles, graduated to 33 1/3, had an 8 track followed by a cassette deck in my cars, then a reel to reel in my home, onto the compact disc.  Whew.  Long trip. 

At the end of all this, this long and winding road, I must admit that my preferred medium is...(drum roll, please) the compact disc. (Ducking, cowering..)

I have spent as much on vinyl equipment as I have on disc, so I've been fair to either medium over the years. Fact of the matter is that either medium, as well as all of the associated equipment required to listen to both are...one and the same thing, artificial reproductions of musical information. Period. 

I have never in my life listened to an audio system that made me think the sound was live.  Never.  Never will, either; and I have spent some enviable coin over the years on my various setups. 

Vinyl to me now is more of a priveleged allocation of time, very amusing when a youngster's around and sees a turntable for the first time. I'm 59 so "youngster" is a fairly broad spectrum...

It's been a very long time since I've hosted a party and heard someone changing an LP while I was out of the room.  We all remember THAT sound,  don't we?

My preference for the CD,  or even downloaded music,  is derived from the simplicity of playback, of care, of maintenance.  I have what I think is pretty good equipment for playback so I'm quite doubtful I'm missing anything audible;  what's a few hertz here or there between friends, aye?

The youngsters I referred to earlier barely know what a compact disc is. I was rather surprised to be shopping in an office supply store last week when I spotted blank CD's for sale. Even I thought that was passè by this point.  Even for business purposes alone. Sheesh. 

I'm not letting go of my vinyl or turntable, nor my CD transport, DAC. Both have their place in my system, in my life, both also give me something tangible to physically appreciate unlike downloaded music.  The medium, the message, the listener.  Tin ears, golden ears. 

Good forum.  Holiday cheers to all.