Vinyl Popularity

[Masterlu]

Do you think vinyl will continue to gain popularity?

[Rilands]

No, as the dinosaurs die, so will vinyl.

[Portugal]

I believe that HD digital 192kHz/24bit eliminate (most of) the sound advantage that Vinil has over CDs. And HD digital is much more convenient and durable. Also DACs are improving fast and much faster than turntables.

In the mid term Vinil will still exist as a niche but mostly due to nostalgic reasons and because people like Vinil as an object to hold - not for sound quality reasons.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Do you think vinyl will continue to gain popularity?

Yes. A large proportion of NEW vinyl sales is by young music lovers. College age kids absolutely flood my local independent record store which only sells vinyl, no cd. As long as highly compressed, super loud, no dynamic mastering is the de factor standand -- as it is now with most new pop/rock releases -- then vinyl will continue to gain popularity. Of course those who have experienced the pleasure of analog will continue to do so as long as we can hear

[Allan W.]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Do you think vinyl will continue to gain popularity?

If I had a crystal ball I'd be rich. Yes, college kids are into vinyl. Not because it sounds better than digital compact disc or downloads but because vinyl is anti digital. Lots of kids are rejecting technology. They grew up with computers, the internet and cell phones. When your young being anti anything is cool. It's just a fad but as long as WE are willing to spend 30 bucks for digital recordings on vinyl it will be around.

[Lon]

I think it's going to be around a long while, though the "resurgence" may not mean big numbers sold in the future, will fizz out somewhat.

I love hi-res digital, but I still think vinyl can be and often is better.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by j3brow

Yes. A large proportion of NEW vinyl sales is by young music lovers. College age kids absolutely flood my local independent record store which only sells vinyl, no cd. As long as highly compressed, super loud, no dynamic mastering is the de factor standand -- as it is now with most new pop/rock releases -- then vinyl will continue to gain popularity. Of course those who have experienced the pleasure of analog will continue to do so as long as we can hear

I am confused. Lets assume you are correct that "highly compressed, super loud, no dynamic mastering is the de factor standand -- as it is now with most new pop/rock releases" That will be true whether the music is released on CD, as a download or LP. Do you think that a new generation will continue to purchase vinyl if the only "properly recorded" music is older LP's that they do not relate to? I think people in general purchase music they like, and the recording quality is a distant second. If they like the music and have the disposable income, then they might seek a better version.

[jdandy]

Ivan.......I think vinyl sales will flatten out. I my opinion, the "resurgence" of vinyl was fostered by the record industry, audio publications in cahoots with the industry for the advertising dollars, and audio businesses that manufacture turntables and phono cartridges. The resurgenge didn't just happen, it was planned and executed.

The constant remastering of old recordings leaves me disinterested, particularly in light of the prices and production quality that is not always there, i.e. defective pressings, finger and hand prints on brand new vinyl, plus return costs shouldered by the buyer for defects. That last part in particular doesn't sit well with me. I am not a fan of mail orders albums. I was picky when I paid $5.00 an album, but when I pay $30.00 or more per album plus shipping costs I expect nothing less than perfection. Unfortunately I haven't gotten it. It royally pisses me off to have to spend an additional $6.00 to return a defective album, crossing my fingers hoping the replacement will be better. I have had two cases where the replacement was worse than the one I returned. There goes another $6.00 to return it. That takes an album that cost $36.00 including shipping and turns it into a $48.00 album, all through no fault of my own. This doesn't strike me as a shopping experience I'm excited to repeat. Yes, I still buy an album or two every now and then, but always with reluctance until it arrives and is not defective. It isn't a joyful experience. I don't think I am alone in being underwhelmed by the record industry's constant churning of their catalog of artists couple with questionable production quality control. Record seller's inflated pricing and their lackluster customer service of defective returns is pitiful. I don't think tis is a business model that will stand the test of time without some changes that truly benefit the consumer.

[BlueFox]

It will peak, but even then will be a very small niche. The audio advantage, if any, will be surpassed by high-res digital, while the utter agony, and expense, required to coax good sound from vinyl will remain.

[greekgod]

I think the current resurgence will die out within a couple of years. Most young people who are buying records are only doing it because they want to be hipsters. It's just another fad.