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LP v. CD - Interesting article
- Thread starter robobxman
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Thats all that matters
robobxman
Roll me away tonight...
Right, even he admits his colleagues do not share his opinion. But I liked that he backs up his opinion with a fair amount of substance. That's always a good thing, regardless of the position someone takes.
I'd be interested in anyone who can disagree with his claims about LPs on a factual basis. I sure can't - don't have enough knowledge or experience. Maybe someday...
I'd be interested in anyone who can disagree with his claims about LPs on a factual basis. I sure can't - don't have enough knowledge or experience. Maybe someday...
bluesky
Lunatic Member
I like both LPs and CDs. Both mediums have thier stong and weak points. That said...
My brother came over to my house the other day. He is a musician, played on stage all his life, etc. I played him a song on a cd. It sounded really good. Then I played the same song on my TT. The difference in 'sound quality and emotional content' blew him away. It was the difference between day and night.
The LPs not only sounded better, but it sounded 'alot' better. He totally agreed.
Another way to put it is: when you play a CD you really enjoy it. When you play an LP you really 'feel it', in your chest, your soul, your body, your being. It's a world of difference to me. CDs seem flat, lifeless, but they sound good. LPs sound 'alive' and 'real'. To me at least. I can 'feel the difference' easily.
It's like when I play a cd the music sounds nice. When I play an LP, the amp and speakers become 'alive'!
That's the way I 'feel it'.
(I'd love to hear a good tube amp! I can only imagine how that sounds!!)
My brother came over to my house the other day. He is a musician, played on stage all his life, etc. I played him a song on a cd. It sounded really good. Then I played the same song on my TT. The difference in 'sound quality and emotional content' blew him away. It was the difference between day and night.
The LPs not only sounded better, but it sounded 'alot' better. He totally agreed.
Another way to put it is: when you play a CD you really enjoy it. When you play an LP you really 'feel it', in your chest, your soul, your body, your being. It's a world of difference to me. CDs seem flat, lifeless, but they sound good. LPs sound 'alive' and 'real'. To me at least. I can 'feel the difference' easily.
It's like when I play a cd the music sounds nice. When I play an LP, the amp and speakers become 'alive'!
That's the way I 'feel it'.
(I'd love to hear a good tube amp! I can only imagine how that sounds!!)
chillwolf
"Play 'em off!"
Well, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, and the author of the article certainly has his. There are pros and cons for each type of recorded media. His preferred type of music is symphonic orchestra and the only way to get the true fidelity of it according to him is to be there to hear it live. So, I don't think he is truly satisfied with any type of reproduction of it. That was my gist of his article. 
trhee
ㅇtㅈyㅅr
Opinions are like as*holes. Everyone has them.
With that said, I enjoy listening to music on any medium, after all it's about the music first, sound quality second. Put another way, I'd rather listen to great music thru a boombox rather than listen to crappy music thru a well put together $20k system.
At home I listen to LP's, CD's, cassettes as well as digital format played thru a Squeezebox. I have around 1000 CD's, 1000 LP's, 500 cassettes and 2gb worth of music mostly in AIFF format and many of those albums are on all 4 formats. While I can say with certainty that pre-recorded cassettes are the worst sounding of the bunch.. when it comes to LP vs CD, some albums sound better on CD while some sound better on LP.
With that said, I enjoy listening to music on any medium, after all it's about the music first, sound quality second. Put another way, I'd rather listen to great music thru a boombox rather than listen to crappy music thru a well put together $20k system.
At home I listen to LP's, CD's, cassettes as well as digital format played thru a Squeezebox. I have around 1000 CD's, 1000 LP's, 500 cassettes and 2gb worth of music mostly in AIFF format and many of those albums are on all 4 formats. While I can say with certainty that pre-recorded cassettes are the worst sounding of the bunch.. when it comes to LP vs CD, some albums sound better on CD while some sound better on LP.
Just a little too "twee" for me, IMHOP. All I can say is this: I was spinning The Allman Brothers "Live At Fillmore East" one night on my far-from high-end system when my son stopped by. "Buy a new CD, Dad?" I just held up the jacket and said "I bought this before you were born." The next sound was his jaw hitting the floor with a resounding thud.
robobxman
Roll me away tonight...
I guess that's why he entitled his article, "Can We Agree to Disagree? (LP vs CD)."
Myself, I like 2-channel, LPs, CDs ... just depends on my mood, the recording, etc. I think a lot of people feel that way. One goal of mine this year is to either upgrade my cartridge or buy another TT that performs at a level some of you other guys have experienced.
Myself, I like 2-channel, LPs, CDs ... just depends on my mood, the recording, etc. I think a lot of people feel that way. One goal of mine this year is to either upgrade my cartridge or buy another TT that performs at a level some of you other guys have experienced.
piece-it pete
What, me worry?
"listen mainly to music performed by small ensembles"
Lynyrd Skynyrd sounds pretty good on my tt and they've got, what, 80 members?
I'd agree that there is something to his contention that we tune out clicks pops etc.
Pete
Lynyrd Skynyrd sounds pretty good on my tt and they've got, what, 80 members?
I'd agree that there is something to his contention that we tune out clicks pops etc.
Pete
Catswold
It's psy-cat-delic!
Read it. This guys a smug, self-absorbed prig. All the crud about small combos, large orchestras...blah, blah, blah.
MY opinion...sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. It you spend your time worried about the minutiae you miss the music of life. I prefer the music of life.
MY opinion...sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. It you spend your time worried about the minutiae you miss the music of life. I prefer the music of life.
Zeromancer
Super Member
I normally get listening fatigue even with the best sounding cd.
Cd's come in handy for listening to music in the car. I also back up some of my mp3's as data cds.
I can listen to vinyl all day long and it doesn't bother me.
I've only heard cds sound good on a really expensive tube cd player. I can't remember the name of it though.
Cd's come in handy for listening to music in the car. I also back up some of my mp3's as data cds.
I can listen to vinyl all day long and it doesn't bother me.
I've only heard cds sound good on a really expensive tube cd player. I can't remember the name of it though.
Ardvaark
Active Member
He's pushing "high end" CD players
IMHO, the guys an idiot not worth going into detail over.
CD's cannot, in their present form deliver the bandwidth needed to portray the original analogue signal completely. To me, cd's lack the appropriate extension of air of the singer or instrument. The Some of you know what I mean, maybe all of you do. LP's, even with its very old technology, delivers this extension easily. Sure, I own a couple hundred cd's. I listen to them and like them. But to me they don't grab me emotionally the way an lp can. I'm constantly exited when I hear the lp version of a song that I have on cd. Its like I want to call someone or tell someone what just happened, "Hey, come over you got to hear this", kinda thing.
Enough blah blah,
Enjoy!
Ardvaark
IMHO, the guys an idiot not worth going into detail over.
CD's cannot, in their present form deliver the bandwidth needed to portray the original analogue signal completely. To me, cd's lack the appropriate extension of air of the singer or instrument. The Some of you know what I mean, maybe all of you do. LP's, even with its very old technology, delivers this extension easily. Sure, I own a couple hundred cd's. I listen to them and like them. But to me they don't grab me emotionally the way an lp can. I'm constantly exited when I hear the lp version of a song that I have on cd. Its like I want to call someone or tell someone what just happened, "Hey, come over you got to hear this", kinda thing.
Enough blah blah,
Enjoy!
Ardvaark
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Edriz
AK Member
Reading this thread and listening to what you guys say about LP vs. Cd is exactly how I feel. Yet, when I try to explain this same concept to a friend of mine, I can never get the words to come out the same whay.
I know how I feel when I hear my LP's. I also know I don't care for the sound of CD's. Never have.
I can remember when they first came out. I was in Germany at the time. I remember saying then, "they'll never last, wait 25-30 years. Just like the Beta VCR, they'll fizzle" Lp's, or back then it was just, "albums will never be extinct. Mark my words". I remember saying that well into the 80's early 90's.
Anyway,. to this day I can't convince this mor...guy. It just seems that I can't express what I want to get across to him. Back when I first got home from the service, he would come by my place and he couldn't get over the sound. Now, after all the years and I have all my,well just about original gear replaced, he won't even come by for a listen. Swearing his 5.something is far superior and digital this and that.
I basically told him to stick his digital 5 in his ... and come on over, I'll blow him and his bpc digital straight to hell with my 2 channel powered by Pioneer SX-1980.
I know how I feel when I hear my LP's. I also know I don't care for the sound of CD's. Never have.
I can remember when they first came out. I was in Germany at the time. I remember saying then, "they'll never last, wait 25-30 years. Just like the Beta VCR, they'll fizzle" Lp's, or back then it was just, "albums will never be extinct. Mark my words". I remember saying that well into the 80's early 90's.
Anyway,. to this day I can't convince this mor...guy. It just seems that I can't express what I want to get across to him. Back when I first got home from the service, he would come by my place and he couldn't get over the sound. Now, after all the years and I have all my,well just about original gear replaced, he won't even come by for a listen. Swearing his 5.something is far superior and digital this and that.
I basically told him to stick his digital 5 in his ... and come on over, I'll blow him and his bpc digital straight to hell with my 2 channel powered by Pioneer SX-1980.
SaSi
Seriously Illogical
There is one point in this article that I totaly agree with. It is really distracting to get up, flip the LP, brush it and resume.
On the other hand, I really wonder if he has ever been in a concert hall. They do have intermissions. And even if you don't want to get up and go out to grab a snack, people near you will and you need to get up for them to go through.
Flipping the LP is so much better. But not having to do that is even better and for that a 15ips half track deck is the answer.
Now, regarding the rest of the arguments, I can totaly relate. I felt the very same extacy when I listened to a CD for the very first time in a nice hifi store with a decent studio through good speakers. No rumble, no distortion, no clicks and pops, just music.
But back then, my only reference point was an abused Dual 1009 with an M44G cart with a stylus the same age I was (just off highschool) - after all why replace it if it isn't broken and still plays music - a powerless amp and a pair of hopless Avid loudspeakers.
Needless to say, when I brought the CD player back at home, half the magic disappeared, but that's another story.
As the years passed and gave vinyl a second chance, I realized how to clean and protect the LPs - not at all that hard and simple methods are pretty effective. I also was able to have a decent system. Not highend by 2008 standards just 1985 standards. I realized the difference a brand new stylus on a well adjusted TT makes. And through unforgiving headphones, differences are revealed.
I don't want to blame myself for how I felt back in '88. And so I can't blame anyone for not knowing the difference between doing things right or wrong. Or taking the easy way out.
Or even about the comments on multi channel systems. There is a simple truth behind why people are satisfied with multichannel systems compared to stereo. If you split the desired SPL over to 5 woofers (instead of 2) and kick in a subwoofer as well, then the woofers don't need to get too excited. Even small 2mm travel on the cone does the trick. But with fewer speakers, the same amount of air must be moved and the woofers need to be larger and better or they get into the non-linear zone and the whole thing becomes a mess.
Unfortunatelly, it is the same thing as 5 cars each with 100 HP costing a fraction of a single 500HP car.
But the good thing about loudspeakers is that we can put 3 woofers on one. We can't put 3 engines in a car - unfortunatelly.
On the other hand, I really wonder if he has ever been in a concert hall. They do have intermissions. And even if you don't want to get up and go out to grab a snack, people near you will and you need to get up for them to go through.
Flipping the LP is so much better. But not having to do that is even better and for that a 15ips half track deck is the answer.
Now, regarding the rest of the arguments, I can totaly relate. I felt the very same extacy when I listened to a CD for the very first time in a nice hifi store with a decent studio through good speakers. No rumble, no distortion, no clicks and pops, just music.
But back then, my only reference point was an abused Dual 1009 with an M44G cart with a stylus the same age I was (just off highschool) - after all why replace it if it isn't broken and still plays music - a powerless amp and a pair of hopless Avid loudspeakers.
Needless to say, when I brought the CD player back at home, half the magic disappeared, but that's another story.
As the years passed and gave vinyl a second chance, I realized how to clean and protect the LPs - not at all that hard and simple methods are pretty effective. I also was able to have a decent system. Not highend by 2008 standards just 1985 standards. I realized the difference a brand new stylus on a well adjusted TT makes. And through unforgiving headphones, differences are revealed.
I don't want to blame myself for how I felt back in '88. And so I can't blame anyone for not knowing the difference between doing things right or wrong. Or taking the easy way out.
Or even about the comments on multi channel systems. There is a simple truth behind why people are satisfied with multichannel systems compared to stereo. If you split the desired SPL over to 5 woofers (instead of 2) and kick in a subwoofer as well, then the woofers don't need to get too excited. Even small 2mm travel on the cone does the trick. But with fewer speakers, the same amount of air must be moved and the woofers need to be larger and better or they get into the non-linear zone and the whole thing becomes a mess.
Unfortunatelly, it is the same thing as 5 cars each with 100 HP costing a fraction of a single 500HP car.
But the good thing about loudspeakers is that we can put 3 woofers on one. We can't put 3 engines in a car - unfortunatelly.
Ardvaark
Active Member
reading this thread and listening to what you guys say about lp vs. Cd is exactly how i feel. Yet, when i try to explain this same concept to a friend of mine, i can never get the words to come out the same whay.
I know how i feel when i hear my lp's. I also know i don't care for the sound of cd's. Never have.
I can remember when they first came out. I was in germany at the time. I remember saying then, "they'll never last, wait 25-30 years. Just like the beta vcr, they'll fizzle" lp's, or back then it was just, "albums will never be extinct. Mark my words". I remember saying that well into the 80's early 90's.
Anyway,. To this day i can't convince this mor...guy. It just seems that i can't express what i want to get across to him. Back when i first got home from the service, he would come by my place and he couldn't get over the sound. Now, after all the years and i have all my,well just about original gear replaced, he won't even come by for a listen. Swearing his 5.something is far superior and digital this and that.
I basically told him to stick his digital 5 in his ... And come on over, i'll blow him and his bpc digital straight to hell with my 2 channel powered by pioneer sx-1980.
+1!!!
Catswold
It's psy-cat-delic!
Absolutely correct, Ard. It's a simple concept and the math is simple. At high frequencies (say 10,000Hz and up) a disk recorded at 44,000Hz only has 4 or fewer samples per cycle. That's why CD's generally do well at lower frequencies but lack the definition and clarity of an LP...can't make a smooth curve out of two stair-steps per side.
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