Vinyl vs CD?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

So I'm very new to Vinyl (as some of you know from my previous thread on cleaning the stuff). I have a 7 year old Pro-Ject Debut II TT with about half a dozen records. Lately I've been listening to them all with great fascination, and I was wondering what other people really thought about the Vinyl vs. CD argument: which do you prefer, and why?

I don't have like for like comparisons, but over the last few days I've been playing a lot of Pink Floyd on vinyl. Now, to me, it sounded amazing: perfect clarity, clear separation of voices, good dynamic range, smooth, natural; Pink Floyd were in my living room, if I closed my eyes. Apart from the crackles and pops (which are very rare on my 2 Floyd albums), I'd say the natural, non-complicated, sound of vinyl is way better than a CD.

I also put on a couple of CDs to listen in comparison to the vinyl. Immediately my reaction was that the CDs gave a much more powerful, louder and "produced" sound. They were certainly louder, also gave incredible detail but to me they just sounded too polished compared to vinyl.

I came across a thread (http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/vinyl-vs-cd?page=1) where people claim that buying new vinyl is pointless as CDs sound better anyway. So, before I embark further on my vinyl adventure, am I wasting my time ordering new vinyl albums from Amazon? I suppose I would get even more out of the sound if I upgrade my components, but if CDs will always sound better, is there a point?

Sorry if this is too controversial, I'm very interested to see what people really think about this!

Thanks.

 

[Jason36]

Well for me I like both.....but certainly over the last 4 months I have bought a lot more vinyl than CD...and can see that this will continue. I will never get rid of my CD player but will probably become more of a vinyl listener.

I find that Vinyl tends to be a lot less "Produced" and has that warmer natural sound that you just dont seem to get with CD's. Vinyl also tends to be a more "touchy" medium as well....there is something about handling an LP, placing it on the turntable and lowering the tonearm and then having to get up to turn the LP over.

There is definately a market out there for Vinyl, as can be seen by the number of bands who are releasing in this medium. But also there are a lot of terrible recordings out there.

I suppose "Vinyl vs CD" is a bit like "CD vs Download or streaming"...each has their place in a music fans house in differemt circumstances....it is down to the indivudual to decide what is best for them

I doubt you will ever struggle to source LP's from a variety of places...so for me at this moment in time I will continue to buy vinyl (much to the other halfs despair).

 

[DandyCobalt]

I'm a recent "returnee" to vinyl after 30 years, and have started buying vinyl again - listened last night to a 25th anniversary edition of Thriller, plus a 180g Miles Davis, and Johnny Cash's American VI. Fabulous, warm, full sound.

I then switched to some B&W tracks from Apple TV via optical direct to same Cyrus preXpdQx preamp (so very good DACs etc) and was underwhelmed compared to the vinyl.

Agree that all have their place, but the ideal for me now would be to buy new vinyl that also includes a download voucher (like Radiohead do) so that I can also listen on the go.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

I'm intrigued by the concept of the download voucher: you say Radiohead do this? Is this with the standard King Of Limbs LP from Amazon, say?

 

[DandyCobalt]

Yes, King of Limbs LP from Amazon has a paper voucher inside, with a weblink and code to download a free mp3 version.

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, that's awesome! But the Amazon site doesn't mention anything about a paper voucher with the LP, which is quite annoying.

That' a nice touch though: mp3 for the iPod, vinyl for the living room

 

[margetti]

If you'd asked me a few months ago, I'd have firmly sided with the 'vinyl is better than CD' camp, but as said above I now find that each medium has it's own place... if I'm having a good old fashioned listening session, then the convenience of digital doesn't come into it and generally vinyl wins out (but not always - a well engineered/produced CD can sound just as wonderful). But if I'm doing other things - reading, odd jobs or whatever, then more often than not I'll stick on a CD for an hour rather than flip records over every 20 minutes or so.

The download vouchers are certainly something to keep an eye out for - I just bought the recent Noah & The Whale album off ebay (no idea what it's like - it cost £2 + p&p so worth a punt for brand new and sealed) and it came with a download voucher for not only mp3 but also WAV files of the whole album.

Check out Back to Black Vinyl who have a great back catalog complete with download vouchers (I'm sure there are other labels that do the same too but can't name them off the top of me head).

 

[bretty]

I'm coming from the viewpoint of a guy that absolutely LOVED his CDP, and never saw the point of vinyl, until recently. So, i'm no long-term vinyl afficionado, that instinctively naysays everything that isn't analogue.

However, this has been my experience: My first TT, a lowly RPM4 (£300, new), was the equal of my beloved Rotel RCD-991 CDP (£850) in many ways, and surpassed it with the natural quality of vocals.

Once I upgraded to the Gyro, it was no longer a close contest. I'm trying to think of a clear way of putting this across, without resorting to the usual cr*ppy audiophile cliches.

Ok, I think i've got it. After listening to the Gyrodec, when I listen to the CDP, it sounds recessed, like the CDP is actually acting like a resistor, strangling the life out of the music. Also, in comparison to the Gyro, everything sounds synthesised: Close to sounding like the real instruments, but not quite there.

The best way I can explain the sound of the Gyro, is it's like listening to the band, or artist, that you are listening to, live. Unlike the CDP, which is close but no cigar, the Vinyl is bang on. Exactly like the real voice( s ) and instruments. What strengthens the 'Live' feel, is the way that the instruments don't just have a place between the speakers but some are further back and some are at the forefront. On certain recordings, it's spooky. CD can't replicate that.

So, basically, vinyl is neck and neck with CD when played on a budget deck. When played on a higher end TT, CD doesn't have a chance.

 

[Anonymous]

I think I agree with you when you say it's more like listening to something live. This was exactly my impression also. In fact, I feel that vinyl has more clarity ans less fuss about it. I like the sound, I could listen to it all day and not feel tired.

I'd like to upgrade my system at some point, but right now I need to:

a) buy more vinyl

b) purchase a decent hifi rack - can I place the TT on the top shelf of a hifi rack?

Thanks again.

 

[bretty]

b) purchase a decent hifi rack - can I place the TT on the top shelf of a hifi rack?

Thanks again.

Sure can. That's where i've got mine

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, while we are on, can you recommend a good hifi rack? Or where is the best place to buy hifi racks? Also, are the generic hihi rack type things Ikea sell any good? All I have at the moment is a table where it's all stacked on, not a good solution, and very very temporary.

 

[margetti]

b) purchase a decent hifi rack - can I place the TT on the top shelf of a hifi rack?

Thanks again.

Sure can. That's where i've got mine

Although there is a caveat (apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere) - if you have a suspended (esp. wooden) floor then you may find a wall mounted shelf is the only option. Affects some turntables more than others depending on the design, but my Systemdek was practically unusable on the rack despite 40-odd kg of equipment on the rack.

EDIT: Atacama is a good place to start looking for racks, although you could do better for more money - all depends on what sort of money you're thinking of spending...

 

[Anonymous]

The limiting factor is the music.

If you want recent material, then CD is the only way to go. It's the same with classical music. However, if you like the 80s and earlier, or classic musicians from that era, then it's vinyl all the way.

 

[CnoEvil]

Here are some personal, random thoughts/generalizations on this topic:

- Basically agree with Grottyash's above comment.

- Older folk and musicians often prefer a more analogue sound (vinyl/class A)

- Also younger folk, who have discovered the "whole experience" and enjoy the endless "tweekability"

-CD can sound fantastic through carefully selected (and often expensive) componants eg. Pathos Digit + Class A Amp + Sugden/Proac/PMC Speakers

- Records/record decks are quite a faff ie storage/cleaning, positioning/isolation, earthing, cartridge alignment/bias/tracking weight etc

-There is a whole "tactile" element of vinyl ownership that gives a satisfaction, which doesn't exist with any other format.

-At any sensible price range, vinyl will out perform CD on well recorded stuff.

-With CDs, you can kiss a lot of frogs before you find a princess...but the good ones are well worth it.

 

[Anonymous]

It seems in conclusion to the comments left here that neither CDs nor Vinyl out better each other in any particular way; it's down to the production, the vinyl quality, set up, music, etc. So, it seems to me, I guess, that the choice comes down to which format I get the most out of for a particular recording: that may be vinyl or it may be CD. From what I've heard of my vinyl so far it can sound amazing, and I'll like to continue exploring its world some more. I do wonder whether a lot of modern CDs are just over produced in a hurry with little thought to sound, especially in pop music. That probably a different thread, though.

I'm a huge classical fan; this means the record labels such as Naxos, Hyperion et. al. are not available on vinyl. But, I'm happy to except this limitation: as I see vinyl as a medium more for different genres anyway.

Thanks everyone

 

[CnoEvil]

It seems in conclusion to the comments left here that neither CDs nor Vinyl out better each other in any particular way; it's down to the production, the vinyl quality, set up, music, etc. So, it seems to me, I guess, that the choice comes down to which format I get the most out of for a particular recording: that may be vinyl or it may be CD. From what I've heard of my vinyl so far it can sound amazing, and I'll like to continue exploring its world some more. I do wonder whether a lot of modern CDs are just over produced in a hurry with little thought to sound, especially in pop music. That probably a different thread, though.

I'm a huge classical fan; this means the record labels such as Naxos, Hyperion et. al. are not available on vinyl. But, I'm happy to except this limitation: as I see vinyl as a medium more for different genres anyway.

Thanks everyone

..by Jove, I think he's got it...

 

[ward1000]

As an Old Skool chap Vinyl is my thing and the resurgence of Vinyl is great for me. CD's are digital, so OK we know that, but sound is Analog and Vinyl reproduces the sound wave whereas digital can only take the sound in steps of the sound wave and compensate for the inability to follow the sound wave. A top quality CD player will sound great and some folk will hear music differently but Vinyl is the format that format that follows the sound wave so can give a warmer sound. Owning an LP is also a more of an experience and is something to cherish and care for. I am rebuilding my Vinyl collection and really encourage all to try Vinyl with an open mind and it is often the case that both CD and Vinyl live side by side as they do in my home and the sound you hear will dictate which format you play the music on. Music is the thing and however you enjoy it is the key.

 

[cheeseboy]

3 year thread bump... possible spambot?

 

[fr0g]

Yup. Silly me for not noticing

 

[fr0g]

-snip- Spambot alert.

 

[cheeseboy]

Yup. Silly me for not noticing

it's ok, it's probably the first time I've noticed and I usually reply to them

 

[Ivek]

I listen to the turnable and digital sound sources, notably cd. I don't like to compare CD and vinyl. I rather say that they should complement each others. I have LP which sound better then CD and vv, some CD's sound better then vinyl. Nowadays new LP albums are more expensive than CD.