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Do you know how much money I've invested in Last Record Preservative alone?
It's been a decade since the analog vs. digital debate began. Where has your system ended up?
I'm 48 years old---I own 4500 LPs and 2000 CDs. As long as those LPs mean something to me, I'll own a good turntable. To me, this isn't really a question of which technology is "better"; it's more about listening to the music I treasure.
In terms of sources(lp, tape, radio) my system is mostly analog but in listening terms it is mostly digital. Most radio listening is done through a tabletop with remote tuning and lazy people like me can't be bothered with taking the extra few seconds to play a record
After finally getting the bucks together, I purchased a decent analog front-end in November 1997. It has been like heaven on earth. To revisit LPs that had languished in my basement for years and to purchase new LPs has been a great experience. I have not forgotten about digital, but I can now enjoy many hours of vinyl nirvana, and, where possible, compare the digital to the analog versions of my favorite audio releases. The more opportunities to experience the music, the better!
I was living in Australia when the CD revolution began, and although there were only a dozen or so CD titles available, I jumped right in after my first listen. I was lucky enough to buy one of the first Philips top-loaders in Oz, and shortly afterwards sold my Sondek, never to look back.
While I still have my turntable hooked up to my system (through an old reciever because my Mccormick M.I.D. doesn't have a phono preamp)I very seldom use it even though I have 100+ records. Since 1987 I have exclusively purchased C.D.s because not only is the quality of the sound superior(dynamic range,high&low frec.etc.)but I frankly do not like the ritual that goes along with playing records. First you clean the record then the stylus.Then get rid of the static, cue it up then 15min later you do it all again.All that and you have to listen to all the inherent low level noise and the inevitable scratches. TOO much hassle.I've built my system for digital first,analog as an afterthought.
Was an Analogue-file; converted over to digital in '91; became used to performance level (maybe trying to convince myself 'it was good'); sold all my vinyl equipment; eventually --while waiting for 24/96 digital--decided to try analogue again with entry level equipment. What a shock! My wife & I couldn't believe how much we had been missing since '91. Now I am beginning to build up my analogue front end and we are loving it. This time as 24/96 is launched I will be more hestitant to jump in. I believe I will be in analogue a long time to come. When are you guys going to do a full review of various DVD players with respect to performance on Chesky/Chad Kaseem's 24/96 discs. I know that stuff is just becoming available but I get more update on this front from Audio rather than Stereophile whiche really surprises me. Come on give us direction.
I have 220 CD's and 16 records from the 70's. The B&O turntable hasn't been played in over ten years. Since the mid 80's the media was been, is and will continue to be based on an ever improving digital format. Let's stop the debate and listen to the music!! I believe Thomas Edison if he were alive ten years ago would have abandoned analog in favor of the limitless potential for this digital format.
I have a Rega Planar 2 with an AudioTech 440ML cartridge and a CAL Audio Labs CD player. Although both are similarly priced, the CAL does not come close to the harmonic accuracy and musical truth of the Rega. I also want to thank Mike Fremer for keeping the analog candle burning.
While my main system may be an even mix of the two, none of my "other" systems have provisions for playing LPs---just tapes and CDs. That said, I should also add that, when played back on my Linn LP12, LPs sounds much better than CDs.
I am a 29-year-old fireman with a very average tube system. I am just now getting into analog and am very excited about it. I do feel that there is plenty of room in music for both formats, and wish people would relax a little bit about it. I don't know what I would do without my CDs, and probably will feel the same way about my vinyl in the years to come. Anyway, isn't it great that we can take some time away from the serious issues of the world to nit-pick about something so insignificant?
Whether you're a die-hard vinyl fanatic or a complete digiphobe, one can't lose sight of the simple fact that it's the MUSIC that must come first, last, and always!! I've got thousands of records, and my Linn/Lingo always makes me a happy man. On the other hand, it's a given that 99.9% of the music released today is released only on CD. That being the case, how can any TRUE music lover reject CDs?