Coming back to vinyl?

[jlm86]

I'm not "getting into" Vinyl — I'm using gear I got over 20 years ago. I don't know if I'd bother now to start at Square One. It was all considered "High End" at the time, and I don't think it can be significantly improved upon. I have cartridges that are still NOS to replace the ones I use, when the time comes, four "name" tonearms and 2 "highly regarded" TTs. I don't have to upgrade anything, and with 3000+ LPs, a lot of which I haven't even played yet, I rarely buy more unless they're extremely appealing.

But I'm happy to help and advise those who are "getting into" it, as there are many mistakes to avoid, and huge savings to be had. The main point of experience and knowledge is to share them, or else they just stay in your head — you can't take it with you.

As @tom67 mentions, the ritual loses its charm and becomes tiresome. Given the vast improvements in Digital since its disappointing launch so long ago, it's now approaching the inflated claim of "Perfect Sound Forever", and given its ease and convenience I now listen to it almost exclusively. Playing my records is a rare treat, and I may never hear the 1000+ LPs I haven't played yet.

I mean, who has really heard all 104 Haydn Symphonies, which he wrote only because he needed the money? Not many are "inspired". Or Vivaldi's concertos that all sound the same? Or a huge collection of African music I collected when I lived there, most of which basically suck?

Thank you...
I would like eventually to have all my favs from 60s and 70s again ideally , 200 - 300 used in VG to M.

the ability to find online at reasonable cost seems like a learning curve.
I’ve been “out of circulation” and now attempting to re-educate to new norm..
Thank you

 

[E-Stat]

For me, the reason why I continue to listen to my vinyl collection is no longer the case with new content. Aside from a few limited production releases, the vast majority are sourced with digital masters. In that case, why not just listen to the digital master in its native 24 bit format?

 

[IXLR8]

Since the OP is MIA, it is only the choir. My question is why not collect other available formats as well as records? Reel to Reel perhaps the sound of bliss or the connivence of cassette as well as CD’s?

 

[jlm86]

OP, i have returned,
some neat responses....thank you...

My return to vinyl as additional media format is for basic fun, and not to get OC over it ..
Been there done that with audio 30 yrs ago

Now..
Ended up w/ Realistic Lab 400 pristine..
ART phono preamp

I dont have the $ from my younger days, but want to feel the experience again.
I figure 200 or so albums and i will be good.
Excited to soon enjoy:

Yes and Roger Deans' artwork...
Jethro Tull , Moody Blues liner notes
PD DSOTM 30th anniversary release
Aqualung SW mix
LZ releases remastered

May even get a black light n lava lamp
Thanks again

 

[BilboBaggins]

Very nice taste in music. Roger Dean was meant to be viewed on album covers. I've bought a few records just for his album covers. I'm glad you are enjoying it. You have a good setup that should sound better than a lot of modern home theater gear.

 

[jlm86]

Very nice taste in music. Roger Dean was meant to be viewed on album covers. I've bought a few records just for his album covers. I'm glad you are enjoying it. You have a good setup that should sound better than a lot of modern home theater gear.

Thank you

 

[59volvo]

I'm not "getting into" Vinyl — I'm using gear I got over 20 years ago. I don't know if I'd bother now to start at Square One. It was all considered "High End" at the time, and I don't think it can be significantly improved upon. I have cartridges that are still NOS to replace the ones I use, when the time comes, four "name" tonearms and 2 "highly regarded" TTs. I don't have to upgrade anything, and with 3000+ LPs, a lot of which I haven't even played yet, I rarely buy more unless they're extremely appealing.

But I'm happy to help and advise those who are "getting into" it, as there are many mistakes to avoid, and huge savings to be had. The main point of experience and knowledge is to share them, or else they just stay in your head — you can't take it with you.

As @tom67 mentions, the ritual loses its charm and becomes tiresome. Given the vast improvements in Digital since its disappointing launch so long ago, it's now approaching the inflated claim of "Perfect Sound Forever", and given its ease and convenience I now listen to it almost exclusively. Playing my records is a rare treat, and I may never hear the 1000+ LPs I haven't played yet.

I mean, who has really heard all 104 Haydn Symphonies, which he wrote only because he needed the money? Not many are "inspired". Or Vivaldi's concertos that all sound the same? Or a huge collection of African music I collected when I lived there, most of which basically suck?

Have you heard about this label? https://analogafrica.bandcamp.com/
and this show: https://kboo.fm/program/africa-o-ye

 

[3-Crows]

I have no interest in playing music from my phone or my watch or my computer. My phone is MIA at the moment, my watch is self winding and does not have a music function except for the music of it's Swiss movement ticking away and my computer is full up with other junk and the speakers quit a long time ago. I will keep my records and CDs though I find CDs somewhat unfulfilling in ways I cannot describe adequately. OP, welcome back, there is plenty of room in the pool and I can think of worser ways to waste your money as per my grandad listening to them golldurn phonographs is a waste of time and money . And cut your hair, you look like a girl .

 

[jlm86]

I have no interest in playing music from my phone or my watch or my computer. My phone is MIA at the moment, my watch is self winding and does not have a music function except for the music of it's Swiss movement ticking away and my computer is full up with other junk and the speakers quit a long time ago. I will keep my records and CDs though I find CDs somewhat unfulfilling in ways I cannot describe adequately. OP, welcome back, there is plenty of room in the pool and I can think of worser ways to waste your money as per my grandad listening to them golldurn phonographs is a waste of time and money . And cut your hair, you look like a girl .

Yepper! Welcome to the machine...

 

[usedto]

I have no interest in playing music from my phone or my watch or my computer. My phone is MIA at the moment, my watch is self winding and does not have a music function except for the music of it's Swiss movement ticking away and my computer is full up with other junk and the speakers quit a long time ago. I will keep my records and CDs though I find CDs somewhat unfulfilling in ways I cannot describe adequately. OP, welcome back, there is plenty of room in the pool and I can think of worser ways to waste your money as per my grandad listening to them golldurn phonographs is a waste of time and money . And cut your hair, you look like a girl .

And I disagree.

I'm old (70), tired, and have little interest in effing with a turntable and vinyl albums, although I have both. 90% of them have maybe 1 or 2 cuts I like, and the rest is filler BS to take your money. My hearing is marginal, so mp3s suit me just fine, and I only have to listen to what I want. If I'm working, a local oldies station (60s and 70s) does the job. For just listening, my 3500+ mp3s in my laptop do the job.

I can appreciate those who love vinyl, but no need to poo poo those who don't. Sometimes grandpa was right.

 

[jlm86]

update.. in case you haven't seen or heard...
Jimi's rainbow bridge concert has been remastered and released on Blu-ray and looks amazing...

https://youtu.be/qFfnlYbFEiE

 

[3-Crows]

And I disagree.

I'm old (70), tired, and have little interest in effing with a turntable and vinyl albums, although I have both. 90% of them have maybe 1 or 2 cuts I like, and the rest is filler BS to take your money. My hearing is marginal, so mp3s suit me just fine, and I only have to listen to what I want. If I'm working, a local oldies station (60s and 70s) does the job. For just listening, my 3500+ mp3s in my laptop do the job.

I can appreciate those who love vinyl, but no need to poo poo those who don't. Sometimes grandpa was right.

Sir, I stated what I do and my interests thereof, as did you. Anything further that you read into my post which was directed to the OP is your mistake. In other words, you are "poo poo" -ing on the OP and me? The thread was returning to vinyl, you prefer other media, maybe you are in the wrong thread? I am older but I am not tired. Swim, bike, run, play records.

 

[GChief]

And I disagree.

I'm old (70), tired, and have little interest in effing with a turntable and vinyl albums, although I have both. 90% of them have maybe 1 or 2 cuts I like, and the rest is filler BS to take your money. My hearing is marginal, so mp3s suit me just fine, and I only have to listen to what I want. If I'm working, a local oldies station (60s and 70s) does the job. For just listening, my 3500+ mp3s in my laptop do the job.

I can appreciate those who love vinyl, but no need to poo poo those who don't. Sometimes grandpa was right.

I get what your saying.
Now that I have my streaming front end straight I have noticed my “critical listening” has started to include more hi-res streaming. It’s still the majority vinyls but instead of 90/10 it’s probably 70/30 now.

That said I do not see vinyls going away for me.

 

[SterlingOne]

And I disagree.

I'm old (70), tired, and have little interest in effing with a turntable and vinyl albums, although I have both. 90% of them have maybe 1 or 2 cuts I like, and the rest is filler BS to take your money. My hearing is marginal, so mp3s suit me just fine, and I only have to listen to what I want. If I'm working, a local oldies station (60s and 70s) does the job. For just listening, my 3500+ mp3s in my laptop do the job.

I can appreciate those who love vinyl, but no need to poo poo those who don't. Sometimes grandpa was right.

Ditto!

 

[bruno80918]

I don’t know if anyone has brought this up yet, but you can’t clean your weed on a cd cover. Seedless pot has made this not as critical as it used to be.

 

[RunOutGroove]

I don’t know if anyone has brought this up yet, but you can’t clean your weed on a cd cover. Seedless pot has made this not as critical as it used to be.

To be accurate, it's not critical at all. The way the stuff is being grown these days, there is never an issue with seeds...

 

[Taketheflame]

OP, you ended up with a solid vintage TT - glad to see you pulled the trigger on vinyl again!

Even with the boom in vinyl's popularity in recent years (and corresponding price increase on a lot of titles), I still think one can have plenty of fun with the format without spending crazy money. Lots of good music can be had for $5-10 for a nice copy (and sometimes less), and vintage tables/carts still offer comparable bang for the buck. Plus there's pretty nice modern cartridges out there for modest prices, I think.

 

[jlm86]

OP, you ended up with a solid vintage TT - glad to see you pulled the trigger on vinyl again!

Even with the boom in vinyl's popularity in recent years (and corresponding price increase on a lot of titles), I still think one can have plenty of fun with the format without spending crazy money. Lots of good music can be had for $5-10 for a nice copy (and sometimes less), and vintage tables/carts still offer comparable bang for the buck. Plus there's pretty nice modern cartridges out there for modest prices, I think.

Thank you