Why vinyl took the nose dive in the late 1980s - early 1990?

[Marco]

Thanks for the clarification. I now realize I misread those posts. I have yet to experience this equalized situation, where I'm not sure whether it's analog or digital playing, but I'll take your word for it. (maybe if I'm listening from a different room, but if I'm sitting in a sweet spot, there's no way that I won't be aware of what's playing; and I'm not referring to surface noise or absence of it thereof!)

No problem. For me, the situation is very simple:

Experience has taught me that the best turntables (i.e. those which minimise, as far as possible, the intrinsic distortions and limitations of vinyl, whilst mechanically imposing as little of their 'sonic signature' as possible on the music), essentially sound like the best CD players, simply because the sound produced by both is free from any distinctive sonic aberrations.

At the end of the day, it's *all* about, as far as possible, faithfully reproducing the musical information contained on either a CD or LP. If in that respect, high-fidelity is the goal, then you don't want the equipment used to have any distinct 'sound' of its own - and to achieve *that* is what costs money, and takes time and effort!

In my opinion, the reason why people find that vinyl sounds 'markedly different' to CD, is mostly down to the turntable they're using not having sufficiently addressed the bits in bold, above. Plus, some folks are simply seduced by the resulting euphonic coloration, created by a substandard turntable, which makes vinyl sound falsely 'nice'.

But that's NOT how it should sound, and indeed *can* sound, when both the playback equipment and the recording quality contained on the vinyl itself, have been optimised. Interestingly though, when it comes to a turntable, some folk seem to want to hear its 'character'. Me? I just want to hear the music, as unsullied as possible!

Marco.

[walpurgis]

most dont seem to care too much. and by that i mean everyone. we are the oddities

Hi-Fi is about as 'niche' as photography I'd say. Technical pursuits have their own language and the uninformed are largely in the dark.

[Marco]

But that is the point. CD and now other digital media is doing just that.

Not unless it's reproduced on decent equipment.

Marco.

[struth]

Hi-Fi is about as 'niche' as photography I'd say. Technical pursuits have their own language and the uninformed are largely in the dark.

the vast majority of folk dont have a camera as such, just like hifi.. they use their phone, and maybe a external speaker to bluetooth to, but mostly to headphones. mobile phones are the Swiss Army knife of 21st century. sure they will soon have an app for cutting things

[walpurgis]

mobile phones are the Swiss Army knife of 21st century. sure they will soon have an app for cutting things

But is there an app that lets you connect a turntable to it? (probably is )

[Marco]

the vast majority of folk dont have a camera as such, just like hifi.. they use their phone, and maybe a external speaker to bluetooth to, but mostly to headphones.

Yes, but do we, as discerning enthusiasts, care what the "vast majority of folk" do? I don't, as most are not part of my world, as I purposely surround myself with discerning people, who like me, like the best, not those who are content with mediocre!

Marco.

[struth]

Yes, but do we, as discerning enthusiasts, care what the "vast majority of folk" do? I don't, as most are not part of my world, as I purposely surround myself with discerning people, who like me, like the best, not those who are happy with mediocre!

Marco.

Not really or I'd be on facebook babbling to my self, instead of babbling here to myself mosty Just stating why even cd is outdated to most folk.they just use their phones. A good chunk of young folk buying records are doing so to connect with the bands they like, but probably dont have a record player

[Macca]

most dont seem to care too much. and by that i mean everyone. we are the oddities

This is the truth. What you want is a roadshow that goes around schools demonstrating a proper system. The youths can play their own music on it and get an idea of what is possible. Would need money to do that though. No chance of getting funding. Would create a whole new generation of enthusiasts I think, especially if you could cover enough ground.

[RMutt]

Not unless it's reproduced on decent equipment.

Marco.

I disagree. If you take into account the conditions most people listen to music. Not with their mains conditioned. Not on their own in silence. But. On the move. Noise in the background. Party whatever. Under those circumstances digital is better.

[walpurgis]

I disagree. If you take into account the conditions most people listen to music. Not with their mains conditioned. Not on their own in silence. But. On the move. Noise in the background. Party whatever. Under those circumstances digital is better.

Yes. It can be tricky carrying a turntable, amp and speakers about.