Why have a turntable in your system
discman -- Sat, 04/19/2008 - 16:22
I just got my new turntable running about two weeks ago. Since I was without vinyl for a long while (listening only to CDs), returning to vinyl struck me as a bigger difference than I would have expected.
I am not in the camp that says vinyl is hands down better. In fact, I think CDs, properly reproduced (dollar for dollar on the equipment end) are more accurate.
But....
Vinyl on many recordings has an alive, sometimes romantic, sometimes immediate sound that is beguiling.
That's why for me.
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Hmmm..
My CD rig (transport+DAC) is about 25% more expensive than my analog one. Both are pretty pricey, though by current standards, my analogue rig is in the 'great buy' category!
Some CDs sound awful and some records sound awful. I usually have problems with records issued in the 70s and CDs issued in the 80s. However, the best LPs sound a lot more natural to my ears than the best CDs.
Therefore, I don't think I'd agree with your dollar to dollar conclusion - at least as pertains to this price backet.
I am not sure what happens at the budget level, whether, say, a $1000 CD player would be 'better' than a $1000 LP rig (including phono stage).
I suspect that much of what makes LP great doesn't require super-costly gear. You seem to suspect that LP falls off with price more than CD. Interesting.
I do agree LP tends to sound natural, but I have a hard time saying that this is due to greater accuracy. CD has deeper bass, is quieter, and is often less muddled. The point I'm raising is that maybe accuracy isn't everything. right now, I don't think either one is 'better'.
To be honest, it's been a long long time since I've had a 'budget' turntable in my system. I bought an LP12 in 1981 which I've replaced with a better table only last year. Therefore, I cannot really comment either way on the lower price brackets as far as record players are concerned.
I'm not trying to get into an argument here, but I wouldn't agree with CD having deeper, less muddled bass either. They are quieter and much more convenient, that's for sure.
Fyi, I've stopped buying LPs since the late 80s/early 90s, when they started putting extra tracks on CDs, and also because it became very difficult to find them. Most of my listening has CD based since then, but since I've not replaced any of my old LPs, I frequently put old stuff back on and am usually pleasantly surprised on how much "better" or, let's say, more natural / enjoyable they sound.
While you can certainly "create" an analog front end that has speed instability, lack of bass extension, more noise, and a "zippy" top end, there are many, many TT/arm/cart combos that essentially eliminate these concerns. Providing you avoid some, but not all, of the bargain basement tables, there are several reasons to have a turntable in your system.
Here are 5 generalities important to me (yes, there are exceptions and your mileage may vary):
1. If you listen to classical music, the sound of massed strings is typically more natural, relaxed, and less edgy. I have a terrific DAC, but I still prefer listening to classical music on vinyl (except for solo piano where digital's speed stability can win out).
2. Instruments and voices sound more natural and engaging, with less sibilance, even on rock/pop.
3. Listening to analog is less fatiguing and more relaxing (with the right cartridge). Your brain doesn't have to do as much work. My listening sessions are typically far longer with vinyl than with digital.
4. You can find CHEAP vinyl at garage sales, online, etc. You'd be surprised how many record collections are gathering dust in the basements, attics, or garages of your relatives, neighbors, & friends. Clean them up and you're ready to go.
5. Vinyl album covers/liner notes can really enhance the experience. While listening I like to check out the cover art, liner notes, lyrics, etc. of an album. I hardly ever do this with a CD unless I REALLY need to find out something.
I will admit that with the EMM Labs stuff, really hi-res digital tracks, etc., these differences are minimized.
The great mastering engineer (and Sheffield Lab co-founder) Doug Sax once said that both of the following statements are true: "My CD player sounds better than any turntable" and "My inexpensive turntable beats my expensive CD player." He was trying to make the point that how the LP is played back determines its sound quality in relation to CD sound. There are very few variables in CD sound (in terms of variables the user can adjust) while there are seemingly infinite variations in playing back an LP.
In my experience, LP playback has a life and immediacy lacking in even the best CD. This is true for even basic LP front ends. With a first-rate analog front end such as I'm using now (Basis 2800, Basis Vector arm, Dynavector cartridge), LP's superiority is obvious.
Having said that, however, a Reference Recordings HDCD-encoded CD played back on the Spectral SDR-4000 Pro CD player has some qualities that exceed analog playback.
Robert Harley