Audiophile witch hunt or basic common sense?

[ToppingSMSL]

Ignore YouTubers, problem solved.

Works for me!

Strange. Loads of different people use YouTube, some very intelligent and you can learn a lot from them. Why would anyone say "ignore youtubers" in such a blanket way?

 

[JDL]

Technically, CDs are neither digital nor analog. However, they can be considered both simultaneously. Until read and compiled by a computer, CDs are essentially nothing.

It is not solely because CDs sound better that CD where created, increased durability was a massive driving force with CD’s development. they also have numerous industrial applications as we all know. The primary factor was their cost-effectiveness and speed of manufacture and thats the bottom line. Its could have easily been a poor VHS type product but it just so happened they actually sound pretty good.

Vinyl records cannot store the same amount of data we no know this everybody knows this. However, CDs and digital media have been repeatedly compromised by the “loudness wars.” While I am not suggesting vinyl is a superior format, the limitations imposed by the format make it a more preferable medium in some cases. For instance, Death Magnetic’s vinyl pressing actually sounds better than its 2000s CD release. The CD is unlistenable by comparison.

“New studio recordings on CD sound amazing and are totally wasted on vinyl.” Are they? As mentioned above, it is not always a given. It is not as straightforward as that. I have music that sounds great on pre recorded mini discs, even the early examples of which are extremely compressed to fit on the medium. Even the humble cassette had its moments and Id put them up against CD counter part and challenge you to tell them apart.

Additionally, I own some modern vinyl that sounds incredible. Leftfield’s “Rhythm and Stealth” is much better sounding than its 1998/1999 CD release. DJ Shadow’s “Introducing” received an incredible remaster on vinyl that is not available on CD and there is no ticks or pops again id challenge you to tell what medium its being played back on in blind test. But granted there are some CDs that sound out of this world but in my experience especially in the POP mainstream its a rare experience.

It is evident why individuals prefer vinyl records over streaming services. Contrary to popular belief, it is not solely driven by nostalgia, as many individuals in their thirties grew up with digital music and transitioned to low-quality streaming options iTunes for example. The primary reason for vinyl’s appeal lies in its superior sound quality compared to streaming services like Spotify. For these individuals, CDs are considered “old hat,” while vinyl represents a novel and tactile experience that most of those 30 somethings have never experienced.

Some may argue that streaming services offer a more convenient and accessible listening experience. However, it is important to note that vinyl offer a unique and immersive listening experience, you cant just skip to a track and dot around all over the place, you have to listen you have to engage. The mechanical needle employed in vinyl playback contributes to the overall sound quality, allowing for greater control over the listening experience allowing you to tune to taste. So yes it does add to the sound quality experience.

While personal preferences play a role in media consumption, it is undeniable that vinyl records provide a more substantial support for artists compared to streaming services. By purchasing CDs or vinyl records, individuals can directly contribute to the success of lesser-known artists and thats a great thing and maybe thats major contributor to vinyl resurgence as its been suggested many dont listen to there purchases, treating them more like posters than media so there's that.

As I said above its just another Bob trying to tell me/us how to enjoy our hobby.

I went back to my roots about five years ago. I was a classical musician and choirboy ( no taking the Micky please , so I gave up listening to anything other than classical music, which, I will add has been and is a hugely enjoyable journey of discovery for me and my fellow listener, that is my twin brother. We listen to CDs only.
I have noticed, without a shadow of doubt, that many of the newest recordings and certainly recordings from about the year 2000 onwards are not at all good when compared with recordings from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
I have several Hyperion Piano concerto CDs, fairly recently released and I believe they're vastly inferior to older Deutsche Grammophon for example CDs. I suspect I could conjecture some reasons why this is, however, I'm loathe to cause offence or arguments.

 

[twinkletoes]

I went back to my roots about five years ago. I was a classical musician and choirboy ( no taking the Micky please , so I gave up listening to anything other than classical music, which, I will add has been and is a hugely enjoyable journey of discovery for me and my fellow listener, that is my twin brother. We listen to CDs only.
I have noticed, without a shadow of doubt, that many of the newest recordings and certainly recordings from about the year 2000 onwards are not at all good when compared with recordings from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
I have several Hyperion Piano concerto CDs, fairly recently released and I believe they're vastly inferior to older Deutsche Grammophon for example CDs. I suspect I could conjecture some reasons why this is, however, I'm loathe to cause offence or arguments.

Id never take the pee out of someone's listening habits and musical tastes. Classical is a musical taste thats ment for much better ears than I have.

 

[JDL]

Ha ha ha. You're mistaken. It merely takes getting used to and starting off with compositions that are easy to relate to. Often Baroque is a good starting point. And Mozart of course.
One thing's for certain. If one accustoms one's taste to classical music, listening fatigue becomes a thing of the past.

 

[Gray]

One thing's for certain. If one accustoms one's taste to classical music, listening fatigue becomes a thing of the past.

....as it puts you to sleep.

Only joking - I know some of it is stirring stuff.
Of course, like any other genre, it's massively varied - and not all like the stuff I heard on Radio 3U the other day👍

 

[Friesiansam]

Why would anyone say "ignore youtubers" in such a blanket way?

Because I don't have the patience or the will, to go digging through the morass of bilge that is YouTube.

 

[manicm]

Because I don't have the patience or the will, to go digging through the morass of bilge that is YouTube.

There are YouTubers who are established hifi rag journos too - see Hifi Riff with the esteemed David Price. And there are good lesser known YouTubers too, some very well established. To make a blanket dismissal and to limit yourself is to ignore what could be valuable. Time available to read/watch notwithstanding.

I've always read the regular print rags, and I discern online too - does video not have any merit?

To prove my point as well generally, I challenged Andrew Everard about 12 years ago here on WHF about the famous music journalist David Hepworth who saw magazines going online as a worthless exercise. Where are they now???

I am sorry to say this, but some need to look beyond their noses.

 

[Friesiansam]

There are YouTubers who are established hifi rag journos too - see Hifi Riff with the esteemed David Price. And there are good lesser known YouTubers too, some very well established. To make a blanket dismissal and to limit yourself is to ignore what could be valuable. Time available to read/watch notwithstanding.

I've always read the regular print rags, and I discern online too - does video not have any merit?

To prove my point as well generally, I challenged Andrew Everard about 12 years ago here on WHF about the famous music journalist David Hepworth who saw magazines going online as a worthless exercise. Where are they now???

I am sorry to say this, but some need to look beyond their noses.

Those are all fair points but, it’s not just that YouTube has a vast amount of rubbish, it’s also that I like reading, I spend a lot of time reading every day.

 

[Jasonovich]

Ha ha ha. You're mistaken. It merely takes getting used to and starting off with compositions that are easy to relate to. Often Baroque is a good starting point. And Mozart of course.
One thing's for certain. If one accustoms one's taste to classical music, listening fatigue becomes a thing of the past.

When I want to be in another place, when I'm alone at home, I can listen to classical music. It cleanses the soul.

Ah, take a whiff of all that culture, for King and Country and the majestic butterflies illuminating under the sunlight as they flutter their wings!

View: https://youtu.be/ZKacHpM8yTc?si=LuDWrWlYLcWWIekb


I feel much better now.

 

[Jasonovich]

There are YouTubers who are established hifi rag journos too - see Hifi Riff with the esteemed David Price. And there are good lesser known YouTubers too, some very well established. To make a blanket dismissal and to limit yourself is to ignore what could be valuable. Time available to read/watch notwithstanding.

I've always read the regular print rags, and I discern online too - does video not have any merit?

To prove my point as well generally, I challenged Andrew Everard about 12 years ago here on WHF about the famous music journalist David Hepworth who saw magazines going online as a worthless exercise. Where are they now???

I am sorry to say this, but some need to look beyond their noses.

I think it really doesn't matter which format you use for extracting information, as long as you don't lose sight of your objectivity.

 

[Jasonovich]

We all know the answer to the ultimate question of life, the Universe and everything, is 42.

Ok.....Ha ha ha

 

[NADman]

He is partly correct, most vinyl records are made from digital sources including remasters but will always sound better on vinyl.

 

[Al ears]

I'm still gripped by the nostalgia of CDs and my collection of 90s CD players ha ha ha. My old Meridian 206, which I bought about 5 years ago now, sounds fantastic to me, and it's still performing faultlessly, reading discs quickly and doesn't have that harsh 'dead' sound thatI have heard with some of the cheaper players. I got some stick on here for buying that.
Pretty old fashioned huh? Although I am hankering after a particular CD player from about 2007, when funds permit. CDs, CDs, CDs, that's the format for me.

Why from 2007?
Plenty of possibilities for failures.
Buy new!

 

[ToppingSMSL]

Because I don't have the patience or the will, to go digging through the morass of bilge that is YouTube.

I find it quite easy to find good YouTubers.

 

[abacus]

He is partly correct, most vinyl records are made from digital sources including remasters but will always sound better on vinyl.

No format can make something sound better than the master, if it does sound different then it is distorting the sound.

Bill