Can anyone explain the vinyl renaissance?

[RickS]

+1

I always wonder why the same handful of people come to this thread only to proclaim that the digital format is better? Well hello, we all know that and none of the “vinyl" guys ever discuss this. We know, we admit to this, we have stated it many times in this very thread. There are other reasons why we still have an analog side and we enjoy that discussion. Whether it be the ritual, the better mastering, or just having a large format physical medium in your hands.


I think that would just start up a version II of this thread.


We have more than one thread on many topics, why should this vinyl thread be singled out?

see my previous response to @Robin L

 

[Leporello]

I made my comment as an example in response to a claim that a record can NEVER have better quality content than a digital version. Reprocessing is another issue and is independent of the source.

I would say that is not a valid comparison. In your example you are not comparing two copies of an original but an original and its copy.

 

[EJ3]

Hey, that's a top quality Preamplifier! May I ask why do you use Two in tandem? Perhaps to extend the No. of available Inputs? And which Outs do you use, Tape Outs or Pre-outs?

Yes, because I have enough gear to utilize all the inputs. (as well as the processor loops).
If you look carefully, you will see that each one has 2 main outs, so I use my outputs in whatever way that I feel the need to at the time
How is it rigged?:
Quadraphonic Synthesis

With two Holman Preamplifiers, you can synthesis and control four output channels from just two input channels.

Apply all your inputs to the first Holman Preamplifier. Use it for all your tone controls, filters and source and tape selections. Leave its Stereo Mode in Stereo.

Connect the first Holman Preamplifier's MAIN 1 output to one power amplifier and your two front speakers.

Connect the first Holman Preamplifier's MAIN 2 output to any line-level input of the second Holman Preamplifier.

Connect the second Holman Preamplifier's MAIN 1 output to the power amplifier for your two rear speakers.

Rotate the second Holman Preamplifier's stereo mode control to L-R, and start by setting it to about unity gain or a bit less, and keep its tone controls flat. The tone and filter settings of the first Holman Preamplifier are fed automatically to the second Holman Preamplifier.

Set balance on the first preamp. Set front-rear balance on the Volume control of the second preamp.

Leave the power switch of the second preamp ON, and plug its power cord into a switched outlet of the first Holman Preamplifier. Now the power is controlled by the first Holman Preamplifier, too.

Yes I run either 4 channels in stereo or quad and with 6 NAD 2200's & 2 NAD 2100's I have many options (typically I am running 2.2, although sometimes I am running 4.2) with bridged to mono amps on each channel running set to 4 ohms and a stereo 4 ohms on my sub cabs using in line filters to break out the sub frequencies below 80 Hz.
My 4 main Dahlquist M-905's give me an FR of 26Hz-20KHz +-2DB (with no EQ). My subs have an FR of 20Hz-80Hz (don't know the DB variation).

 

[MattHooper]

This thread seems to be serving a purpose for quite a number of members.

And as has been pointed out, another thread may or may not serve the same purpose.

Yes, we have a vinyl sub forum, but since this is the general forum and the original question and subsequent dialogue is “ open to everyone” and not necessarily just somebody who would go searching through the vinyl forum, I think this thread also makes sense for the general forum.

Basically, it seems to be still serving a purpose for a number of members, and I’m not sure what greater purpose would be served by shutting it down.

If somebody doesn’t want to read it or contribute, they don’t have to.

 

[EJ3]

Arguing about which format is superior is a waste of time since everyone acknowledges that digital is the superior format.

I want to say that it is potentially a superior format. But, like anything else, the use of it's capabilities is not always utilized to the best possible way.
There is crappy digital, also.

 

[RickS]

This thread seems to be serving a purpose for quite a number of members.

And as has been pointed out, another thread may or may not serve the same purpose.

Yes, we have a vinyl sub forum, but since this is the general forum and the original question and subsequent dialogue is “ open to everyone” and not necessarily just somebody who would go searching through the vinyl forum, I think this thread also makes sense for the general forum.

Basically, it seems to be still serving a purpose for a number of members, and I’m not sure what greater purpose would be served by shutting it down.

If somebody doesn’t want to read it or contribute, they don’t have to.

Thanks, I got your vote.

 

[Thomas_A]

I have read that some of the vinyl resurgence is due to nostalgia by younger generations. If a new member came to ASR would they be motivated to wade through close to 12,000 posts in this thread? Am not anti-vinyl as much as I am in favor of more productive content presentation.

I myself like the measurements (phono pre and cartridges library thread) and linked software/hardware threads for measurements (as reviews which the rest of ASR is focused on). There are also many other measurements in one single thread (fun with vinyl measurements) that are technical nature with settings/adjustments/turntable W&F etc and with some debunking of "vinyl truths". There is a lot of good information there but quite difficult for any new reader to extract or to know if answers to any question might be there. Debunking myths are ok so everyone are aware of the choices made, but that should also include some reality checks. Personally I will never be able to use 100 dB dynamic range in my living room even if the medium would be capable of it.

 

[EJ3]

+1

I always wonder why the same handful of people come to this thread only to proclaim that the digital format is better? Well hello, we all know that and none of the “vinyl" guys ever discuss this. We know, we admit to this, we have stated it many times in this very thread. There are other reasons why we still have an analog side and we enjoy that discussion. Whether it be the ritual, the better mastering, or just having a large format physical medium in your hands.


I think that would just start up a version II of this thread.


We have more than one thread on many topics, why should this vinyl thread be singled out?

Perhaps they just can't resist feeling superior to someone else. By declaring that their way is the one & only way.
It's kind of like the childish infantilism of: "my (whatever it is) is better than yours".
I typically ignore it.
I like digital, too but I do not think that any particular format is perfect.

 

[thewas]

Perhaps they just can't resist feeling superior to someone else. By declaring that their way is the one & only way.

In my experience it is more often insecurity when people claim something is great, they need it to convince most of all themselves.

I used to love buying, collecting, playing and even DJing vinyl but wouldn't waste my time argumenting in the internet its superior rather enjoy it more hours instead, same for any other hobby or interest. It is like talking about football teams, or other subjective personal favourites, you anyway cannot and should not convince what other people prefer.

 

[MatrixS2000]

see my previous response to @Robin L

I saw it. I don’t expect anyone to wade through 12k posts, but I do expect them to use a the search a thread function or ask a question in this thread where many will answer the question with maybe some examples already posted here. I understand you could cross post to a new thread, but I just don’t see the advantage of having new thread, like I said, I think it will just creates ver. II of this thread.

 

[MatrixS2000]

In what sense is noise "information"?

From Izotope’s Ozone Manual:

Overview​

Clarity uses hundreds of bands to maximize the spectral power of your audio. This is achieved by adaptively contouring the spectrum towards flat noise. Clarity will tame resonances and unmask background content. This can effectively “pull the blanket off” dull mixes without sounding harsh.

Tilt​

Adjusts the flat target that Clarity is contouring towards. At the default 0 dB/oct, the target is pink noise. This can be adjusted in dB/oct where positive values are brighter and negative values are darker. For example, tilting +3dB/oct will target white noise. A Tilt of -3 dB/oct will target brown noise.

 

[RickS]

I saw it. I don’t expect anyone to wade through 12k posts, but I do expect them to use the search a thread function or ask a question in this thread where many will answer the question with maybe some examples already posted here. I understand you could cross post to a new thread, but I just don’t see the advantage of having new thread, like I said, I think it will just creates ver. II of this thread.

Your opinion is noted.

As I mentioned, am looking for better ways than the status quo to allow some form of this thread to continue. Am looking for positive constructive ideas. I was hoping I might get a volunteer to produce a summary or some other useful proposal. Conjecture will not save it. I could also be swayed by more votes. Will give it to the weekend.

 

[Robin L]

I have read that some of the vinyl resurgence is due to nostalgia by younger generations. If a new member came to ASR would they be motivated to wade through close to 12,000 posts in this thread? Am not anti-vinyl as much as I am in favor of more productive content presentation.

There are a lot of reasons why sales of LPs increased. I would bet that a very large percentage of current purchasers of new vinyl are replacing LPs they once had or always wanted to have. Some LPs appear in formats they didn't previously, like recordings that once were issued as single, 33 &1/3 rpm discs that now appear as a pair of 45 rpm discs. I suspect that a lot of younger folks getting into LPs for the first time are struck at how different the format is from digital formats, noticing, in particular, at the physicality of the format, the size of the album art, all those things that make LPs more physically manifest than CDs or streaming.

I doubt that new members would read all 12,000 posts in this thread, but most new members tend to jump in on the most recent posts. It's really more of an ongoing, constantly updated bulletin board of info, pro and con, on the subject.

 

[RickS]

Ok, am seeing why this thread is so long...

One post per vote. If you cannot come up with positive idea, tell me why this thread is so valuable that it cannot be replaced.

When I close voting later this week, will summarize. Until then, do not plan to respond further.

Thanks!

 

[deweydm]

When I see these posts pointing to mastering and/or production decisions as some kind of a proof that there is something inherently wrong with "digital" I feel the need to point out that the same sort of mastering/production decisions also apply to LPs. Maybe the LP will have better dynamics, maybe it won't. I don't worry about it because nearly all of the music I listen to is comparatively uncompressed. (That means that there will be plenty of very quiet parts, the sort that expose surface noise and other imperfections in LP playback). And, honestly, one should only expect 'real' dynamics from pure acoustic music. Pop/Rock/Rap/Country etc. will be compressed, no matter what.

I can stream classical and jazz all day long without listening fatigue. Popular genres, not so much. Atmos rendered to stereo helps.

But then, I still collect some classical and jazz records too. Not because I expect them to sound better than streaming (though they can, if they have exceptional mastering), but for fun. Like collecting baseball cards. Or tulips.

There are many favorite albums that sound best on LP to me still though. Not because of the medium, but just because I haven’t found a digital version that’s mastered the same, that’s mastered as well, or better. Yet. And I’m too lazy to rip LPs to digital.

 

[deweydm]

Ok, am seeing why this thread is so long...

One post per vote. If you cannot come up with positive idea, tell me why this thread is so valuable that it cannot be replaced.

When I close voting later this week, will summarize. Until then, do not plan to respond further.

Thanks!

If not here, it’ll pop up elsewhere. Where this thread can be referenced.

Post in thread 'Vinyl record sales continue to rise amid music streaming’s dominance'

 

[mk05]

Two factors:
- People have nostalgia, especially pre internet days
- Audio people, especially those who have a lot of components, LOVE to tinker

 

[levimax]

Ok, am seeing why this thread is so long...

One post per vote. If you cannot come up with positive idea, tell me why this thread is so valuable that it cannot be replaced.

When I close voting later this week, will summarize. Until then, do not plan to respond further.

Thanks!

Hello:

Vote: Keep it open

Positive Idea: There are some great "measurement threads" for Carts and TT's which along with a short and sweet "pro and cons of vinyl" thread could be make "Sticky" on the main vinyl/TT thread index. That way people that want a quick reference can go to the "Sticky" and the rambling / repeating threads can be left to ramble and repeat on.

 

[RickS]

I found a comparable thread…

The Courteous Vinyl Playback Discussion

There have been a number of threads started that seem to descend into vinyl bashing, bullying, and lack of respect. The title of this thread should set the tone. If your are tempted to post here in a “Tellarite” manner - Trekkies will recognize this reference - don’t do it here. Instead start...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I see 2 advantages already. The thread has a vinyl advocate as the OP and has a goal of being courteous.

 

[dlaloum]

Just stick the record between 2 pieces of glass, place in the sun for a bit, flip it & place into the sun for a bit, bring it inside & allow to cool until the glass is room temperature.
This 'MAY' fix the warp.
Sadly, it will not fix an off center spindle hole, which you won't discover until you have played the record AFTER you have fixed the warp.

The only "fix" for an off center spindle hole, is to play it on the Nakamichi Dragon Turntable.