So I can report back on my previous comments and plans; I completed my turntable / integrated amp setup this week. I've been listening to my records every night, and I'm loving the experience!
For context, I'm a guy that grew up listening to CD's and then Mp3s (I had an iPod Mini in high school). My father had a record player that I would play around with, but he didn't have any 'cool' music that I could listen to, so I didn't really use it. My reason for buying a turntable now is to be able to own and play my favorite records that I've discovered and been listening to via a TIDAL > DX3 Pro > HD 650 setup since the beginning of the year. I've also been wanting to own a real Hifi set up with speakers, so buying the turntable and Hi-fi setup kind of coincided.
I'm still totally into digital music for use on the go or in the office (I have a separate DAC/AMP/heaphone setup there). I think having digital / streaming music is totally complementary to owning vinyl records, because it let's me discover music and get to listen to a wide range of artists and albums so when I do buy a physical record I already know that I like it (kind of strikes me as a dream scenario for buying music compared to my younger days of standing at a counter trying to get a store clerk to put a CD into the test system for me to hear). Ok, but enough of that, lets move to the vinyl aspect.
Equipment (all bought used): Dual 505-4 turntable with AT 95E cartridge, Sony F-470 integrated amp, Mission 780 speakers, and using my HD 650 headphones that I had from before (plus all the paraphernalia to make the contraption work as can be seen in the pic lol)
Some observations on the appeal of using the turntable (as per the original topic of the thread) that I can share from my experience are as follows:
- It's interesting to learn how the record player works, how to set it up properly, seeing what to consider when using it
- I enjoy owning the quality, well made audio equipment that goes along with playing vinyl records
- The imperfect sound has character
- The music sounds warmer, more alive and deeper; acoustic and vocal music (such as early Bob Dylan records) sound excellent
- I enjoy seeing the record turning while the music plays
- There are no software, audio / driver settings, or internet connectivity issues that can affect playback
- I can see the whole record cover artwork while the record plays
- Playing the record involves a deliberate preparation process
- I appreciate listening to the music much more
- I listen to a smaller range of music that I really enjoy
- The mastering, song order, and editing of the vinyl records is sometimes different from the same record in TIDAL (The Who, Live in Leeds is a big example)
- The music seems to end too soon (in a good way)
- I can see the progress of the stylus across the record
- Songs at the end of a side actually sound like they're closing a chapter, or leading to an intermission (especially the Pink Floyd albums)
- I enjoy the collectability of vinyl records and pride of ownership from having original versions my my favorite records (rock n roll, folk etc.)
- Listening to music from vinyl records feels like an occasion, and something that's different from how the general population listens to music
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