LP vs DAC: Wife Can't Tell the Difference

[watchnerd]

I asked my wife:

"If you're in the other room, and can't see the stereo, can you tell the difference between me playing an LP or streaming digital music?"

Her answer:

"No no no."

I guess my vinyl set up is just that good.

Or, if I'm a digiphobe, does it mean it's that bad?

 

[BDWoody]

Or, that she's giving you the answer that is least likely to drive the need for you to upgrade anything...?

Actually, with your setup and a good clean record, I doubt most could immediately identify if its one or the other from another room especially.

 

[JWAmerica]

It just means your wife isn't a critical listener.

 

[watchnerd]

Or, that she's giving you the answer that is least likely to drive the need for you to upgrade anything...?

Actually, with your setup and a good clean record, I doubt most could immediately identify if its one or the other from another room especially.

I think the good clean records are pretty key.

Probably 95% of my collection is near mint, has only been played a handful of times.

 

[DVDdoug]

Does she really care? Especially when she's in the other room?

Most people aren't that picky unless there are bad clicks & pops, or unless you ask which one they prefer in an A/B test. Anybody can hear the record noise, especially between tracks, or during quiet passages or fade-ins & fade-outs, as long as there's enough gain/volume.

Usually the "give away" is noise and you are unlikely to hear record noise from another room unless you get some big-fat clicks. And a few loud clicks might not be noticed, or might not be associated with the stereo system if they are not heard directly coming out of the speakers.

P.S.
I'm not that picky about other people's sound... I grew-up in the vinyl days and the clicks & pops on MY records really annoyed me, especially since I was familiar with the record and I knew exactly when that nasty click was coming. If it was someone else's record I didn't care as much. In those days, "snap", "crackle", and "pop" didn't seem to bother most people but it always annoyed me and I was super-happy when CDs were introduced. And as a bonus, less distortion and better frequency response!

 

[Zensō]

It sounds to me as if your wife is a wise person who chooses to stay out of the audiophile silliness.

 

[JWAmerica]

What do you think the frequency response was like at her out of room listening position?

 

[jsrtheta]

I think the good clean records are pretty key.

Probably 95% of my collection is near mint, has only been played a handful of times.

Whereas my CDs sound the same after hundreds and hundreds of plays. "Same" meaning "flawless".

 

[MattHooper]

I asked my wife:

"If you're in the other room, and can't see the stereo, can you tell the difference between me playing an LP or streaming digital music?"

Her answer:

"No no no."

I guess my vinyl set up is just that good.

Or, if I'm a digiphobe, does it mean it's that bad?

That's a step better engagement than my wife. The only comment I ever get is "It's Too Loud!"

I manage to get her in the "sweet spot" to listen to a song maybe once every 10 years.

Most recently it was to hear a track on my brother's new album. It's pretty spectacular in some ways, sonically (with all sorts of orchestral instruments mixed with drums, bass, guitar etc). I only wanted her to hear it on my system so that she might appreciate not only the music but the effort he put in to the production. Took about 2 hours of corralling to finally get her to sit and listen ("wait...I spotted some crumbs in the kitchen...have to clean that first!..."), after a track she critiqued his music (hated his voice). I asked what about the production and sound quality? Her "Hm? I don't know. I didn't pay attention."

Wives know how to deflate a guy...

 

[JWAmerica]

It's like they don't have to pretend to be interested like men are required to.

 

[jsrtheta]

That's a step better engagement than my wife. The only comment I ever get is "It's Too Loud!"

I manage to get her in the "sweet spot" to listen to a song maybe once every 10 years.

Most recently it was to hear a track on my brother's new album. It's pretty spectacular in some ways, sonically (with all sorts of orchestral instruments mixed with drums, bass, guitar etc). I only wanted her to hear it on my system so that she might appreciate not only the music but the effort he put in to the production. Took about 2 hours of corralling to finally get her to sit and listen ("wait...I spotted some crumbs in the kitchen...have to clean that first!..."), after a track she critiqued his music (hated his voice). I asked what about the production and sound quality? Her "Hm? I don't know. I didn't pay attention."

Wives know how to deflate a guy...

Why do I suspect it's not the first time? (JK)

 

[BDWoody]

Wives know how to deflate a guy..

 

[mansr]

I asked my wife:

"If you're in the other room, and can't see the stereo, can you tell the difference between me playing an LP or streaming digital music?"

Her answer:

"No no no."

I guess my vinyl set up is just that good.

Or, if I'm a digiphobe, does it mean it's that bad?

It means your wife isn't resolving enough.

 

[Omar Cumming]

Replace either the DAC or the wife!

Cheers

 

[sodosopa]

wife's bags and things put on face means nothing to me, it doesn't make her things super good.

 

[Soniclife]

I asked my wife:

"If you're in the other room, and can't see the stereo, can you tell the difference between me playing an LP or streaming digital music?"

Her answer:

"No no no."

I guess my vinyl set up is just that good.

Or, if I'm a digiphobe, does it mean it's that bad?

If she puts something on at random can you tell the difference from the other room?

 

[watchnerd]

Whereas my CDs sound the same after hundreds and hundreds of plays. "Same" meaning "flawless".

You have CDs, still?

I ripped all those to FLAC.

I don't even have a CD player anymore.

Why have physical media if it's digital?

 

[Soniclife]

The only comment I ever get is when she thinks it should have more bass, her default position on all hi-fi. She occasionally says something was amazing, it happen with Mogwai this week, I assume she is taking about the music, not the sound.

 

[MattHooper]

View attachment 208049

If a man speaks and no woman is around to hear him....is he still wrong?

 

[watchnerd]

If she puts something on at random can you tell the difference from the other room?

We'd have to have a 30 min orientation on how to do that, first.

What do you think the frequency response was like at her out of room listening position?

Whatever it is, would it be different if digital?