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Turntables & Tonearms Where Analog still Rules

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  #21  
Old 12-05-2018, 12:27 PM
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I found that I preferred the sound of perfect vinyl pressings with no pops or scratches. I just couldn't handle the aggravation of playing vinyl.
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  #22  
Old 12-06-2018, 07:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62caddy View Post
Personally I've found the mastering and engineering techniques that had been used in creating the original recording far more critical to performance than format type.

In the few cases in which I possess the identical recordings on both vinyl and CD, the material had been remastered in the CD version making true apples-to-apples comparisons difficult and to my ears, the better of the two could be either format. I guess what I'm trying to say is that after many years of listening and experimenting, I still haven't been able to affirmatively resolve the question one way or the other...

That said, digital formats do hold the technological edge in respect to noise, speed variance and wear which may, or may not always be objectionable.
Eric - Agree with your mastering & engineering thoughts. Wondering if you have given any thought to an MC cartridge (LOMC if your preamp can handle, HOMC if not)? Have found that they are generally less susceptible to surface noise. Also found that the AT150 is a big step up from the 440.
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  #23  
Old 12-06-2018, 09:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 View Post
Eric - Agree with your mastering & engineering thoughts. Wondering if you have given any thought to an MC cartridge (LOMC if your preamp can handle, HOMC if not)? Have found that they are generally less susceptible to surface noise. Also found that the AT150 is a big step up from the 440.
I had considered that route Glenn but since vinyl accounts for ~ 10% of my listening, it's difficult to justify the added costs - at least that LO MC would entail. I've been happy with the 440 MLa - especially its tracking, which was immediately apparent on inner grooves when I first installed it. Records I had considered unlistenable (IGD was horrible on some) the difference it made was dramatic.

Good to know about the AT150. That might be worth considering.
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  #24  
Old 12-06-2018, 02:41 PM
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I agree the mastering/engineering that actually ends up on either format is a key factor; probably even the MOST key factor. But for me, time and time again I keep finding vinyl placing significantly ahead of digital overall. That said, over several years now I've pushed my vinyl gear further towards the "ultra" category while my digital remains stagnant in the hifi "budget" tier (e.g. Yggdrasil, M51, etc) - so no, it's not a fair comparison. But when I got my first vinyl rig, similarly priced to my Meridian G08 CD player at the time, and the vinyl absolutely *spanked* the G08 (which was ironically sold to me as the CD player for vinyl lovers) - my affection for digital never recovered from that.

I also have problems dropping 5-figures plus on digital gear that depreciates nearly as fast as spent wine. My ClearAudio Innovation and SOTA tables are still beasts after several years. How many iterations of players have the Esoterics of the digital world gone through in that time? The cartridge is certainly the loss-of-value pain point in vinyl, but when well taken care of they can last a LONG time.
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  #25  
Old 12-06-2018, 04:55 PM
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For me the definitive tipping point was listening to both digital and analog sources at equal price points (25 000 USD) in a top of the line set up with a pair of The Sonus Faber speakers at a friend of mine. No matter what CD we played on the MSB rig, the vinyl on the Brinkmann Balance sounded way better. Yes, the digital was more perfect. The same way a mannequin is perfect. And in that context the analog was more human. Which to me is more interesting.
But in the end it is a personal choice. "Go with the format that suits your taste".
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  #26  
Old 12-06-2018, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Masterlu View Post
Absolutely, just be prepared to spend an awful lot of money to surpass vinyl. Specifically, 5~10 x more, YMMV.
gotta disagree with you here Ivan, whereas the best analog front ends are well into the five figures and in some cases six, no way does a top flight digital front require you to spend that much let alone 5 to 10 times more.
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  #27  
Old 12-06-2018, 06:08 PM
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Digital. Vinyl. Depends on what I want to listen to. As an opera fan, to my ears no digital recording I can think of compares favorably to the same recording in vinyl. That said, digital is better than it has ever been and continues to get better. Especially SACD and Japanese pressings. For casual listening it is hard to beat the convenience of digital.
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  #28  
Old 12-06-2018, 06:34 PM
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Speaking of opera, I have a number of vinyl sets dating back to the mid 1960s on the old London ffrr label, the majority of which have a rich "robust" sound that I really enjoy.

Just recently I bought a CD re-release of "L'Elisir d'Amore" to replace the tired and worn vinyl of the exact same recording and to my disappointment, there was ever-so-slight a tinge of "shrillness" in Luciano's voice that didn't seem to be present in the vinyl version. Still had all the fortitude though.

Last edited by 62caddy; 12-06-2018 at 06:39 PM.
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  #29  
Old 12-06-2018, 09:21 PM
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Is that the Richard Bonynge recording with Joan Sutherland? Is excellent.
I'm fortunate in having many RCA Reds from days of yore. My most prized recordings.
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  #30  
Old 12-06-2018, 09:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
gotta disagree with you here Ivan, whereas the best analog front ends are well into the five figures and in some cases six, no way does a top flight digital front require you to spend that much let alone 5 to 10 times more.
Dave... I have all the gear here, and you’re welcome to visit.
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