Audiophiles: Did You Get Dupped Into the CD Craze?

[GO DAWG GO]

Back in the early 1980's, when the Compact Disk (CD) was marketed, Did you get sucked into believing that CD's were far superior in sound quality than the vinyl records? I did! No noise, no skipping, doesnt wear out. These attributes are obviously false. Recently, I purchased some high end audio equipment and built a new system to play some of my old CD's. My new system is comprised of Bob Carver designed Phase Linear 4000 preamp with a Phase linear 700b power amp that controls low frequencies and a 400 series for powering my mids and highs.. My speakers are older JBL components rebuilt to new specs and the subs and middle channel speakers are Altec Voice of the theater original folded horns.
Where I am going with this is, I didn't like the sterile digital sound that the CDs produced. I complained to a few audio buffs I know and they recommended vinyl records. I was certainly surprised at the recommendation.

I bought an older Micro Seiki DDX 1000 turntable with twin Black widow tonearms from Audiogon (A audiophile website) and "wow" what a difference. I have sound quality from the old vinyl that sounds accurate, real and detailed like you could never get from a CD. You would think Robin Trower was playing in my living room.

So, Did you know that the sound quality of vinyl is far superior to CDs?
I know that CD's are more versatile for the car, boat, Walkman etc. But when you desire to listen to Bach to Steely Dan and have it sound like they are performing in front of you, the vinyl is unquestionably warmer and wins hands down.

Vinyl is coming back, check out your local Best Buy. They are now carrying vinyl records! I attached a picture of a Micro Seiki DDX-1000. Very Cool!

Bob

[jyl]

Some of my vinyl records sounded great, but most of my "collection" was pop-click-scratch infested. So CDs were, in fact, an audio upgrade for me back then, plus the convenience was great. Hard to play a vinyl in the car.

I can certainly believe that a high-quality vinyl pressing, well cared for and played on top-quality equipment, would sound terrific today. Especially when most ears have become used to compressed iPod files.

[afterburn 549]

What is really strange is the old tube stuff sounded much more better then the digital !!
A LOT more better

[VINMAN]

I definately prefer vinyl over CDs.
I have about 600 albums. Still listen to them all the time.

[K. Roman]

I love vinyl, I just don't use it as often because of Serato. You play mp3's from your laptop through coded vinyl, it's a DJ platform. I have about 6000 records, and have hired (interns) to record them and create mp3's. Well, actually they create .WAV then convert them

[imcarthur]

While everybody likes to talk about vinyl coming back, it will never be more than a small blip. People are laying down their plastic for MORE vinyl & MORE vinyl goodies – turntables, cartridges, phono preamps etc but it is far, far from the stampede that some sources make it out to be. Stores deserted vinyl for many years & many have a token representation back again.

The biggest problem with digital playback, is that the vast majority of consumers are happy to accept it as is. I have heard many of the best quality CD-based systems that money can buy & it is far better than you think. Have you heard a good $2K CD player? Most people have not & certainly wouldn’t buy it because it isn’t that much better than a $99 one, right?

Cheap analogue was cheap analogue. Cheap digital is cheap digital. A properly selected system in either format can be stunning.

Ian

[GO DAWG GO]

Guys,

What I have found interesting is the pops and surface particulate noise is really negligible and attenuated with a good quality stylus and cartridge. I have been buying new pressings of older records and wow they sound good..almost unbelievable.

What cartridges are you using?????

I have Grado Prestige "Green" on one arm and a Shure V15 type 5 on the other. Nothing real high dollar because both arms are very low mass and dont require it.

Bob

[K. Roman]

[IROC]

I bought a turntable last year and have been re-enjoying all of my old vinyl ever since. I have even bought some newer stuff (Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, etc) on vinyl and it sounds great, too.

[GO DAWG GO]

Ian,

I have been told that CDs are consistant in there playback quality and the only real difference was the digital preamplifier. Most will say they all sound the same...???

I would be very interested in a audiophile CD player if one exists. I dont need all the bells and whistles though. What would you recommend that is appreciably better in tone, warmth, detail and signal to noise?

Thanks

Bob

[Zeke]

Well, vinyl wasn't too easy to play in the car, so I bought tapes. Man, when CD's came out, that solved a lot of problems. Ever notice how you don't see any tapes all strung out along the road any more? A few of them were mine.

[VINMAN]

I remember JC Whitney selling an underdash turntable. One one my buddies bought one. What piece of crap. Of course you couldnt play it with the car moving.

[myamoto1]

not to derail too much, but SACD and HDCD... still not as "warm" as vinyl, but even on a low end SACD machine, it sounds much better than a redbook CD.

[lm6y]

Explain to me how a digital recording (the newer stuff) is going to sound better on vinyl? If it was recorded on "cold" digital media how will a D/A converter "warm" it up? Not arguing, just genuinely curious.

I understand how the older stuff sounds better, it was recorded on analog tape, and made the transition well.

I remember listening to "Brothers In Arms" on an older Carver tube amp at the time, and through a set of Carver Amazing loudspeakers in an acousticaly dead room. For a "cold" digital recording , on a "cold" cd, the beginning of "Your Latest Trick" sounded amazing to me!

[Schumi]

If you want that warm sound, run a tube preamp with your CD's.

If you want the hiss and scratch and pop... well.. keep using vinyl.

I find that you can't replace CD's when listening to early 90's hip hop and R&B.. which is what I really love to listen to when I want to hear the speakers work their magic. The late 80's early 90's R&B had a real pure sound to it, with the bass and electronic keyboards... I'm talking stuff like Janet Jackson & what not.


I like period correct music for the system. IE 1994 preamp and speakers go with 1994 music.

[peppy]

I got duped into cassette tapes.

I really do like my old LPs, but with a 2 YO I leave them stored away.

[on2wheels52]

I don't think I have high performance ears. My cd-playing pawnshop stereo would make the stuff I had in my 20's sound like the drive-up window at a fast food joint.
Jim

[K. Roman]

I really love cassettes. They sound great as long as you recorded on them once or so. I've also been recording my cassettes to mp3. What is funny is that the tape doesn't play exactly on time and you can really notice it when played against the same track that was recorded on cd. If you have any recording equipment for the computer, like Protools, you see the wave form and it is usually longer on cassette but with the same pitch!

If you want that warm sound, run a tube preamp with your CD's.



If you want the hiss and scratch and pop... well.. keep using vinyl.



I find that you can't replace CD's when listening to early 90's hip hop and R&B.. which is what I really love to listen to when I want to hear the speakers work their magic. The late 80's early 90's R&B had a real pure sound to it, with the bass and electronic keyboards... I'm talking stuff like Janet Jackson & what not.





I like period correct music for the system. IE 1994 preamp and speakers go with 1994 music.

[ramonesfreak]

im a vinyl collector. at 37, i have been buying vinyl weekly since i was 13. i will never stop for many reasons.. the sound, i love turntables, the artwork, the deals, the thrill of the hunt etc...

but, i have just as many CD's and a nice Rega CD player to play em on. the rest of my system is top quality and thats when you notice how good, or how bad, the CD was made. CD's have their place in my library. I still buy them....recently picked up the new Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs and I am enjoying the fantastic sound quality. I have many CD's that sound way better than vinyl and many that sound like garbage

Same for vinyl. some are great and some are awful, especially with the new 180 gram records. The new Dark Side of the Moon 30th anniv. 180 gram is stunning, as is Radiohead OK computer, all the Stooges releases...some, not so nice...and alot of manufacturing defects

[Gogar]

"Digital" = fuel injection.

Vinyl, tapes, etc. = Carbs.

One is more efficient and technically better. One is just a lot more enjoyable.

Having said that, a really great digital setup can be every bit (pun intended) as a nice vinyl setup. The only thing lacking is nostalgia.