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I can't even remember how many years it's been since I bought my last vinyl LP. Do they still make those things?
Like the gopher that just won't leave your yard, vinyl continues to thrive in spite of CD and newer formats, such as SACD and DVD-Audio. Are you still a vinyl fan?
Sorry guys, never had it, never will. As a Gen-X audiophile (a species which theoretically doesn't exist), I started with CDs, will eventually move onto SACD/DVDA, but can't envision myself going over to the good ol' vinyl. Sorry. It just seems a lot more trouble and cost than it could possibly be worth.
Had to get the Led Zepplin re-releases, Jimmy Hendrix Purple Velvet Box (2 sets of that one, it's gotta be worth more in the future), David Crosby, the list goes on . . . I love vinyl except for the 15-20 minute "get up and turn the record over ritual."
I stoped buying vinyl in the early 80's and almost forgot about it. Lately tho' sence I have been reading stereophile and been hearing all the good things about vinyl, I think one day when my budget allows I might buy a nice turntable and phono stage and see what all the talk is about.
I can come home from a record show with about ten vinyl albums for the cost of one new CD! Most of my vinyl purchases are 30 year old albums, not available on CD. Lastly, vinyl playback equipment continues to improve, making vinyl playback a tremendous value compared to the newer formats.
I first try to find releases on vinyl, if not available on vinyl, then I buy the CD. I can't picture my stereo system without a record player! No copy protection to worry about with vinyl! I'm enjoying vinyl more than ever.
I'm buying used LP's like they are going out of style. All the hifi mags have made 2001 the year of the retro mono craze! The problem is buying from stores or eBay is more then risky. It's the most awful thing a normal audiophile can experiance with just a few possible rewards that are mostly in stereo!
NOT like the gopher! Like the favorite aunt who, despite multiple bouts with cancer keeps hanging on and brightening your day with the kindest rememberance, vinyl continues to provide the deepest musical experiences. I bought a little less only because there is a little less available and it is harder to find. Unlike my dear aunt, vinyl will always be around giving pleasure to all with the time to clean records and the tubes to hear 'em through. You guys are like the doctors that gave her three months to live in 1989! In the mood for a little retro art-rock, I pulled the old "801 Live" record and played it on New Year's Day. Despite not leaving its sleeve for over 20 years, the dynamic black disc did not show its age or its long ago laps under the stylus. Surely it is the finest remaining document of the performance. "Baby's On Fire" indeed!
Yes. Vinyl wins over CD, hands down ('love to play the same title on CD and LP to friends and see their jaws wide open with surprise...) SACD sounds very good (on stereo, haven't heard multichannel yet - but I'm open to accept it, if it improves music reproduction). But is SACD going to prevail? I know that we have to vote for what we believe with our wallets, but still... In 2001 I bought a little more LPs, and would have bought more if they would be easier to find, and if there would be more titles available, especially on major stores. It's harder/riskier to buy from the net, specialised shops (audiophile editions), or 2nd hand retailers. Noone likes going through the risk of buying a record without hearing (at least some of) it first, or buying someting with great resolution, dynamics, soundstage, etc. but little musical end emotional content, or of getting a scratched record. Record shops are missing sales because of this... Is 2% or 3% of sales neglectible ? Some have already found about the vinyl revival are already starting to display some titles. Let's see more of it. Afeter all, they'll not sell it unless they display it...
At the present time, or for at least the next year I will be buying CDs at the lower prices that are showing up in stores. However this is just to "blow out" the large inventory of recordable CDs. Once that has happened, I will only purchase vinyl as opposed to the "watermarked" and "encoded" CDs. I will then continue to purchase vinyl, new as well as used, until the major labels have eliminated all vinyl production on earth, at wich time I will sit in my cave and listen to music untill I am arrested as a terrorist for refusing to RENT what will be passing for music on to a hard drive server. GEE I always thought that the future was going to be so bright that I would need shades, but it looks like we are heading for the new DARK AGE of corporate controlled existance.
I love the sound of my vinyl! Unfortunately the selection has signifiantly dwindled. So I have bought less. Now my biggest concern is re-tipping my SHO cartride mounted on my sexy SME-V, which glides so effortlessly across the SOTA.