Rediscovering Vinyl

[mcgsxr]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

Vinyl is interesting, and as many of you have alluded to, it can suck up funds rapidly and efficiently!

I am a cd only guy, 39, and have found a much better approach.

PC based audio. I have ripped all my cd's into a lossless format called FLAC, and use a dedicated PC with external HD's to store the 1TB of tunes.

I use a playback device called a Squeezebox 3 (now Logitech) modded by a guy in Colorado. It is my source, DAC and preamp. It plugs directly into my 50+ year old Magnavox tube amp, and then on to my DIY open baffle speakers.

I have been into audio since my teens, and had a ton of cash invested in years past, but once I discovered the do it yourself scene, and PC based audio have liquidated most of it.

Thankfully I have found the BST to keep me busy!

[hogannut]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

Mine came with the legs so the desk could stand up! I now have the CD copy release!
Was it Frank Zappa?

Ya....mine folds out too!

[Mule56]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

Mine came with the legs so the desk could stand up! I now have the CD copy release!
Was it Frank Zappa?

Yep the first two pressing came with the legs and flood up top. The first pressing also came with the ladies panties as the album sleeve. Yes it was Frank. Alice and Frank remained friends until Frank's death.

[goshawk]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

Damn, I just ran across this thread just a minute ago. I just took off my headphones listening to Songs in the Key of Life on vinyl. My most prized possession is a 4 album set "64 Motown Greatest Hits" that I bought for $6.95 waaaaaay back in 1971. Still pristine after over 25 moves around the world!
My collection was a lot more extensive before my late wife got the idea to have a garage sale in Maryland while I was driving back from Calif. Ah well......at least someone enjoyed my music!
I'm still using my Sansui modular system that I bought in '84. The speakers have been "downsized" from my original Kenwood KZ100's due to space constraints, but they still sound great. And the linear drive turntable still gets a good workout at least once per week.

[golferguy27]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

Digital only approximates the analog sound of a vinyl recording. Vinyl is a truer reproduction - but after you've played it a couple of dozen times you realize how fragile they are.

I find exactly the opposite until I make a mistake - like dropping either the tonearm on the record or the record itself on something.

For me the first few listenings of a new sealed vinyl purchase are the worst. Case in point. A couple of years ago I became aware of the music of Elliot Smith. I bought three spanking new LPs from the US and waited for the postman to deliver them to me in Ireland- it took a while . At long last had them in my grubby hands and put the first one on and - crap, this sounds bad. The second was similar and the third was better but not great. So I was not so happy. Later in the week, played them again and again. Then I started to notice over time that they were sounding quite nice. So I thought maybe I had gotten used to the original crap sound.

I happened to be speaking with a fellow vinyl guy and shared the story and he said it is quite common for artifacts of the manufacturing process to linger and usually 3-5 plays are required to "clean" the LP. Apparently there are also mould release compounds as well. Back in the old days I never noticed such a phenomena and since I now only really have bought used vinyl this was a revelation.

[Big Shooter]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

I happened to be speaking with a fellow vinyl guy and shared the story and he said it is quite common for artifacts of the manufacturing process to linger and usually 3-5 plays are required to "clean" the LP. Apparently there are also mould release compounds as well. Back in the old days I never noticed such a phenomena and since I now only really have bought used vinyl this was a revelation.

Interesting, kinda makes sense I guess...
....when you get a New Vinyl record, you should in essence play it a few times begin to end and DO NOT LISTEN TO IT....then after doing this you will really enjoy the FIRST listen!

[Onin3]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

Nice wouldnt mind hearing some Curtis Mayfield right about now.

Sounds like about 1971 Mowtown. Curtis is one of my all time Favourites. RIP

Damn, I just ran across this thread just a minute ago. I just took off my headphones listening to Songs in the Key of Life on vinyl. My most prized possession is a 4 album set "64 Motown Greatest Hits" that I bought for $6.95 waaaaaay back in 1971. Still pristine after over 25 moves around the world!
My collection was a lot more extensive before my late wife got the idea to have a garage sale in Maryland while I was driving back from Calif. Ah well......at least someone enjoyed my music!
I'm still using my Sansui modular system that I bought in '84. The speakers have been "downsized" from my original Kenwood KZ100's due to space constraints, but they still sound great. And the linear drive turntable still gets a good workout at least once per week.

[focal]

Re: Rediscovering Vinyl

if anyone is thinking of reviving their turntable, cannot recommend more strongly the FREE cleaning and tune up at Bay Bloor Radio (call for appointment)

Obviously, they'll try to sell you a few new accessories or a new cartridge...but only if you need it.

In the end to be educated on how to use your player properly, cleaned and serviced for over an hour of time was worth every penny for all the parts I bought.

The Service guy and the salesman I chatted with said it'd cost me 800-1200 on a new table to better what I got now for a fraction.