Vinyl Records and Turntables Are Gaining Sales.

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by George

EAR make some great stuff. A few years ago they released a CD player with valve based analogue electronics.

The U.S. importer is a friend. I help him set up at shows. EAR electronics and Marten speakers. Sheer sonic heaven.

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

The mere mention of Mulllard doesn't get you hot and bothered?

About to put some into my phono stage.

 

[Nataku]

Well that sure explains all the damned competition I've been having at the thrifts and garage sales these past several years. I've been buying vinyl ever since I starting buying recorded music with my own money. Never went with CDs. The first LP I ever bought was Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Green River". Still have it, too. I probably have about 2,000 LPs now and around the same amount of 45s.

I picked up a Rega Planar 2 for around $200 on Fleabay over the summer as an upgrade over my old Technics SL-1600 Mk2. Still using my old Pioneer SA-9100 amplifier, though. These are hooked to my Rogers LS3/5A monitors. Sounds great.

 

[LabelKing]

An interesting, relevant article with links: http://www.stereophile.com/thinkpiec...oat/index.html http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/ar...ic/25tomm.html

For decades the pursuit of high-quality sound on high-end sound systems drove the recording industry, especially its classical music branch. “Good enough had never been good enough,” Mr. Katz said. But now, he added, for listeners and even the industry, “good enough is good enough.”

 

[Artisan Fan]

Good links LK. I had a nice conversation with Mike Fremer at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest.

This may be a bit optimistic on my part but I do believe that one factor that is fueling the LP renaissance is the great sound quality of modern vinyl reissues. I think teenagers and college age students realize what they are missing over MP3 once they hear decent quality vinyl.

There is a smoothness and cohesiveness to good analog recordings.

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/ar...ic/25tomm.html

Unfortunately, Tommasini repeats the same old tired misinformation about digital sampling in this article.

--Andre

 

[LabelKing]

I'd like to hear some of the Mobile Fidelity SuperVinyl which was custom-manufactured by JVC in the '80s.

Supposedly some of the best pressings ever.

 

[audiophilia]

^^^

Muddy Waters

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I'd like to hear some of the Mobile Fidelity SuperVinyl which was custom-manufactured by JVC in the '80s.

Supposedly some of the best pressings ever.

Good stuff (I assume you mean the UHQR series) but imho the new MusicMatters titles like Out to Lunch are equally good.

 

[Pezzaturra]

Originally Posted by A Y

A nice simple setup proving once again that if you have the right light, any decent camera today can produce really nice images.

--Andre

Is there any benefit in getting a phono stage based on bulbs as opposed to transistors? My goal is not to color the music but to pass it through with the least of interferences and decent equalization?

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by Pezzaturra

Is there any benefit in getting a phono stage based on bulbs as opposed to transistors? My goal is not to color the music but to pass it through with the least of interferences and decent equalization?

That's a very difficult question with answers on both sides of the tube v. solid state debate.

I would say below $2K or so, the solid state options are possibly better due to the lower noise of chips versus tubes.

That said, I just installed a Jolida phono stage (around $500) and with Mullard tubes it is very quiet.

I personally find the midrange of a good tube design to be better than most but not all solid state gear when done right.

OTOH, my friend has the Sim Audio LP5.3 with external power supply and I can find nothing wrong with the midrange there.

It's very much a personal preference thing in my experience. Do you like vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

 

[username79]

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by Pezzaturra

Is there any benefit in getting a phono stage based on bulbs as opposed to transistors? My goal is not to color the music but to pass it through with the least of interferences and decent equalization?

I'd go with what AF said. You can build very good phono amps with either technology, but it's usually easier and cheaper with solid state.

--Andre

 

[stewartu]

I think that this is largely nostalgia for a time that never was.

The quality of the audio equipment we can afford today far outstrips anything any of us could/would have owned in our teens.

Yes, albums were fun to handle and play with but I think the benefits of digital accessibility and usability far outweigh this.

By the way, get a high quality set of headphones and you will re-discover all of your music. I recommend Grado S80i's or Sennheiser HD380's.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by stewartu

Yes, albums were fun to handle and play with but I think the benefits of digital accessibility and usability far outweigh this.

For many of us, sound quality >> convenience.

Some inexperienced listeners may find AAC and MP3 files "good enough" but that's the equivalent of saying fused suits are "good enough".