Frustration with Vinyl...When Is It Time to Move on?

[Timobi]

This is NOT meant or intended to be a war subject....lets keep it civil.

Would like some feedback from my fellow AA friends. So I have a nice Turntable setup. VPI Classic Signature…Ortofon Cadenza Blue Cart. There is something really romantic and even sexy about putting a real record on...But over the past few months I truly find myself frustrated and disappointed with continuing to fork over large amounts of $$ for 45 rpm’s that are well reviewed but in reality are noisy pressings and pops that really just take away from the musical enjoyment. Some of the disappointment could be due to increased hype and expectations but my ears don’t lie.

As my system continues to evolve and DACS get better and more refined the gap between truly GREAT vinyl and GREAT digital has narrowed significantly. There are still some records like Cat Stevens, Linda Ronstadt, Oliva Newton John, Beach Boys, 1960/1970 ish stuff that has a larger soundstage. Vocally sounds a bit more real. I'm sure there are more...But other than that? IDK…some of those DSD downloads and even good old Redbook layer are sounding fantastic.

The other night listening to a new 45 rpm from Analogue Productions. Was so excited. Got it out. Cleaned it with the VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine…Then put it on and was like. Damn this is noisy. When those times happen it makes you want to toss the record out the window.

Anyone else reached a point where you got fed up with Vinyl and went 100% digital? Or did you just lower the expectations and ‘it is what it is’? Like I said I have some awesome awesome records. But I have more that are not.

Soon in the house will be the McIntosh D1100 and Aurender N10. The digital will sound even better than I have now.

Color me frustrated with the results and the with the cost and effort.

Someone talk me away from the vinyl ledge