This was a question (in so many words) posted on a sub forum, and as I have no standing there, I shall frame my answer here..
I have always favoured vinyl playback over CD, and I see no reason to change re streaming (bar its obvious convenience). This is partly because I have built up a vast collection of LPs over the years and it would not be cost effective/practical to switch at my age. But there are other arguments in favour of turntable replay.
I shall make 2 claims (both relating to cost):
1. A vinyl playback system need not be exhorbitantly expensive, and, if you already have a hifi system in place adding a vinyl front end is less expensive still. Its all relative of course, but I am staggered by the amounts that are being forked out on 'modern' technology, where a decent idler deck, a Rega arm and a £1000 MC (Hana, Benz Wood, Ortofon), say, can be had for £2K.
2. (Re'Software') Vinyl can be cheap if you know where to look (and seemingly most of you dont). Rabski, with whom I am usually in firm agreement over valve related topics and the merits of analog, has got it wrong where he says in his Linn Forum piece that the average record is (about) £25. At record fairs (I dont touch High Street retailers new, or used, ) the average ia about half that - 'preloved' Blue Note reissues are available for less than that and yer average Roxy, Dire Straits, Joan A, record in VG+ condition can be had for under a tenner.
And you can negotiate face to face with the dealer and build up a degree of trust with dealers over time at your local fair. Despite a venue I sell at regularly in the south having a modicum of exposure in our Parish magazine, I rarely see a WAM punter. You would think they were an endangered species. This is all the more surprising since they are highly likely to get a handsome discount on surprise factor alone!
(3. I love the physical product and artwork - there is something missing from other formats imo. There is, however, the 'inconvenience' of getting off your arse to turn the thing over..well we could all do with losing some weight..)
Jack NSM
I have always favoured vinyl playback over CD, and I see no reason to change re streaming (bar its obvious convenience). This is partly because I have built up a vast collection of LPs over the years and it would not be cost effective/practical to switch at my age. But there are other arguments in favour of turntable replay.
I shall make 2 claims (both relating to cost):
1. A vinyl playback system need not be exhorbitantly expensive, and, if you already have a hifi system in place adding a vinyl front end is less expensive still. Its all relative of course, but I am staggered by the amounts that are being forked out on 'modern' technology, where a decent idler deck, a Rega arm and a £1000 MC (Hana, Benz Wood, Ortofon), say, can be had for £2K.
2. (Re'Software') Vinyl can be cheap if you know where to look (and seemingly most of you dont). Rabski, with whom I am usually in firm agreement over valve related topics and the merits of analog, has got it wrong where he says in his Linn Forum piece that the average record is (about) £25. At record fairs (I dont touch High Street retailers new, or used, ) the average ia about half that - 'preloved' Blue Note reissues are available for less than that and yer average Roxy, Dire Straits, Joan A, record in VG+ condition can be had for under a tenner.
And you can negotiate face to face with the dealer and build up a degree of trust with dealers over time at your local fair. Despite a venue I sell at regularly in the south having a modicum of exposure in our Parish magazine, I rarely see a WAM punter. You would think they were an endangered species. This is all the more surprising since they are highly likely to get a handsome discount on surprise factor alone!
(3. I love the physical product and artwork - there is something missing from other formats imo. There is, however, the 'inconvenience' of getting off your arse to turn the thing over..well we could all do with losing some weight..)
Jack NSM
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