Gave up on vinyl

[Marco]

My conclusion is that Spotify streams do not stand up under scrutiny. They make a pleasant enough sound on playback, but they're not up to the standard of CD.

100% agree, Chris, as that's also what my ears (and now considerable experience in that area) tell me, and which is why I've no idea how Jerry (who I know also has good ears) can be so resolutely satisfied with it as his primary music source!

Have you tried Tidal instead? To my ears it's notably better, and genuinely much closer to CD standard.

Marco.

[Bigman80]

Fancy a Modded 1210 Vs SP10 MK2 ?

Obviously this is a little more tricky.

Lol... Are you seriously suggesting that I'm only referring to one specific recording? Come on, Jim, you know me and how thorough I am with these things!

No, this is something I could demonstrate with at least, 20 or 30 different albums, on CD and vinyl, probably more - and it's something I've *only* been able to do since getting my T/T up to a certain technical standard.

There's a point where the really best T/Ts are so well 'sorted' (engineered), in terms of isolating the mechanical process, as it were, from music reproduced, that the former becomes almost 'invisible', and all you hear is the music itself, delivered in the 'effortless' and totally stable way of digital.

The vast majority of T/Ts I've heard have their own pronounced sonic signature, which then superimposes itself onto the music, so that you know, in a bad way, that it's a record you're listening to, not a CD, as you can hear the obvious coloration. Mine simply doesn't do that to any discernible degree.

*That* is what I'm referring to, and why with the recordings in question, I can sometimes forget whether I'm listening to a record or a CD; not because my T/T sounds 'digital', in a bad way, but because the colorations, normally associated with vinyl replay are virtually absent.

I'll demonstrate this at the bake-off in question, whenever it gets organised

Marco.

[Jimbo]

Fancy a Modded 1210 Vs SP10 MK2 ?

Obviously this is a little more tricky.

This sounds like it could be a dead heat

[Stratmangler]

Have you tried Tidal instead? To my ears it's notably better, and genuinely much closer to CD standard.

I had a free trial of the hifi service a while ago, and generally found it to produce better sound quality.
I also had a 3 month free trial of the standard (MP3) service earlier this year, and and it does not produce better sound quality than Spotify.

Tidal also has a lousy interface via my Squeezebox setup, and there's no way I'd use a laptop or desktop as a source unless I happen to be doing something on the machine.

[Bigman80]

I know. Probably not much in it at all. I thought that afternoon posted it.

This sounds like it could be a dead heat

[Jimbo]

Lol... Are you seriously suggesting that I'm only referring to one specific recording? Come on, Jim, you know me and how thorough I am with these things!

No, this is something I could demonstrate with at least, 20 or 30 different albums, on CD and vinyl, probably more - and it's something I've *only* been able to do since getting my T/T up to a certain technical standard.

There's a point where the really best T/Ts are so well 'sorted' (engineered), in terms of isolating the mechanical process, as it were, from music reproduced, that the former becomes almost 'invisible', and all you hear is the music itself, delivered in the 'effortless' and totally stable way of digital.

The vast majority of T/Ts I've heard have their own pronounced sonic signature, which then superimposes itself onto the music, so that you know, in a bad way, that it's a record you're listening to, not a CD, as you can hear the obvious coloration. Mine simply doesn't do that to any discernible degree.

*That* is what I'm referring to, and why with the recordings in question, I can sometimes forget whether I'm listening to a record or a CD; not because my T/T sounds 'digital', in a bad way, but because the colorations, normally associated with vinyl replay are virtually absent.

I'll demonstrate this at the bake-off in question, whenever it gets organised

Marco.

I would not like my turntable to sound like a CD player or even remove all the colourations that it has. I am not into totally neutral devices, either amplification, turntables or speakers. In fact they are all coloured to a certain degree and add a certain amount of their own distortion to the music. What you hear is not what they heard in the recording studio as obviously they were using different equipment in a different environment.

The system you put together played in your acoustic space ( room) adds loads of its own colouration, you can't take away from that.

I was warned to be careful when choosing a Turntable as indeed some of the super high end stuff does have exceedingly low colouration and adds very little of itself to the sound. In fact it can then sound a bit like CD! I don't want my system to sound like this!

As I said in my previous post I like the distortion I get in my system as it produces a fabulous sound which makes my vinyl playback addictive. And yes my turntable also completely vanishes leaving just the performer and music as witnessed by a fair few folk on this forum.

What I don't want to do is iron out all the small amounts of distortion as it would become very dull and lifeless. Its a bit like totally sound treating a room where you have no reflections and the music dies. A little bit of reflection in the right place and done to right degree gives you a great sound and great imaging.

So finally what I am saying is yes my vinyl playback is distorted in many ways before it enters my lug holes but that sound is simply marvellous and this is why I don't want my system to sound like a CD or playback music that sounds like a CD.

[struth]

100% agree, Chris, as that's also what my ears (and now considerable experience in that area) tell me, and which is why I've no idea how Jerry (who I know also has good ears) can be so resolutely satisfied with it as his primary music source!

Have you tried Tidal instead? To my ears it's notably better, and genuinely much closer to CD standard.

Marco.

no so much in it on headphones with most music ive found. plus spotty is great to operate for me anyway,

[tapid]

I had the huge valve Droplet 5.00 CD player but lovely though it sounded its not beating my present set up of lenco gl75 with mayware
tonearm/ decca cartridge with its better more natural sounding way. Some of my 60 s classical records are just brilliant, be there and be astounded !
Just think about it a wee needle on a slab of black vinyl, it just works for some reason. Though Shaun is happy with his decision ( and money ) I m sure
he s had many pleasurable years of listening to the black stuff. Good luck with the profits and spend or safe wisely !

[Mr. C]

Interesting subject

Spotify done right is very good but not CD imho however that is not the reason why people go there

The ability to listen to huge amount of music at the touch of a button, when you find a album you like buy it, no need to sit in a booth and listen with headphones on (for all of the younger generation that is how Saturday mornings were spent)

This year I have taken back eight high end vinyl playback systems from life long analogue owners some were very good indeed, the reason two fold

The ease of which music can accessed and the sound of quality digital is reminding them that they can obtain top draw playback for a much less cost couple with that pressing a button to work it all. Also the space that is required to store vinyl is often overlooked.


Bold statement now for equal playback you will need to outlay twice as much on analogue to reach the same performance at a set price where as 20 years ago you needed three times the cost on digital to achieve.

This is not vinyl vs digital in this discussion this is about practicality, sentiment and nostalgia oh and £££

I have heard some of the best vinyl set ups in the Far East where it is a religion and nothing in the UK has ever come close though Mik at Unique makes some of the best vinyl sounds in the country imho

Conversely digital can sound sound breath taking good, however if you prefer vinyl that will be your replay of choice no matter what

I am fortunate to have decent replay systems across vinyl, reel to reel master tapes and digital master files they all sound really amazing but for different reasons

Personally I am a digital guy 100% but that does not stop me appreciating good vinyl they biggest factor these days as I have always advocated is the transfer from the original masters to the individual formats

Good music is just that good music and you listen on your choice or replay medium

Just as a side bar, recently I obtained one of my very first proper digital systems from 18 years ago a Wadia 15 dac max resolution 24/48khz (although it only uses 20 of those bits!)

Man had I forgotten just what a wonderful musical communicator it was and this was 24 years old it just boogied into oblivion and made even mundane music sound interesting and engaging
Unlike Naim this is a natural unforced rhythmic pace, I have given it a refresh and changed a couple of components still keeping the Wadia sound

A lot of these newer uber dac with s/n's of 128dB plus have lower noise floors and mega detail but Very few actually deliver a musically enjoyable and listenable sound that will captivate you for long periods of time

I love the sound to bits it is as good as what I personally use no, not by a long shot however it puts a smile on my face and is thoroughly enjoyable what more do want?

[jandl100]

100% agree, Chris, as that's also what my ears (and now considerable experience in that area) tell me, and which is why I've no idea how Jerry (who I know also has good ears) can be so resolutely satisfied with it {Spotify} as his primary music source!

Have you tried Tidal instead? To my ears it's notably better, and genuinely much closer to CD standard.

Marco.

I've been using Qobuz 16/44 (CD quality) streaming for about 4 months now (as per my siggie below). I've cancelled my Spotify account.
Yes, I can hear the difference!
Switching back and forth between time-aligned Qobuz and CD the sound is pretty much identical.