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Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

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Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#161

Post by core-questions »

pmlnr wrote: post #107
falcrist wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We kinda did keep going, except we put the grooves onto foil as little dots, and read them with a laser. Also, the whole thing is encased in polycarbonate.

You need a computer of some sort to decode that, whereas vinyl _is_ engraved vibrations.

Stands to reason it wouldn't have been impossible to make an analogue medium using similar technologies. Imagine the refraction angle varying continuously and some wide-range pickup that converts to electricity.

_why_, of course, is a different question

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#162

Post by JasonFruit »

reaperducer wrote: post #57
edejong wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hope you’re /s

Partly. When I read his comment I remembered an argument some people had in HN a few months back where they were saying there's no point in listening to music in a car unless you had their particular brand and model of sound system because you don't get the full experience. My thought at the time was that unless they have a string orchestra in the back seat, they're not getting the full experience. I still maintain t…

It's too cramped. If you can't move your bow arm freely, you're using pressure instead of speed to produce volume, which ruins the tone and kills projection. Might as well go with mp3 at that point, honestly.

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#163

Post by kemiller »

parsimo2010 wrote: post #151

CDs are dying, but they are mostly being killed by streaming services, not by vinyl. Digital music formats are still the king by far. The vast majority of people don't even care that their streamed music is lossy and they lose out on high frequencies that their ears can't hear and their headphones can't reproduce. Vinyl appeals to hipsters and dumb audiophiles (there are smart audiophiles, but they aren't buying viny…

There is plenty to enjoy about vinyl without buying into foolish ideas about fidelity. Nostalgia, the effect, the sense of occasion, the large variety of interesting old recordings, the artwork. Streaming is obviously “better” in any objective way, but that doesn’t mean it’s more fun. Same reason I’d get a Miata to enjoy driving even if my daily is a Tesla. Not for everyone but not wrong either.

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#164

Post by taylodl »

kozak wrote: post #100

The biggest relevation for me about vinyl was when I realized that it's CAV (constant angular velocity) and not CLV (constant linear velocity). It means that audio quality gets progressively worse as you move from outer tracks to inner tracks!

Then you realize Led Zeppelin thought Stairway to Heaven was a throwaway song - they laid it down on an inside track. It’s popularity caught them by surprise.

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#165

Post by mytailorisrich »

Aaronmacaron wrote: post #160
parsimo2010 wrote: post #151

CDs are dying, but they are mostly being killed by streaming services, not by vinyl. Digital music formats are still the king by far. The vast majority of people don't even care that their streamed music is lossy and they lose out on high frequencies that their ears can't hear and their headphones can't reproduce. Vinyl appeals to hipsters and dumb audiophiles (there are smart audiophiles, but they aren't buying viny…

Your conception of vinyl buyers is very negative. I think there's another category of people that buy vinyl. If you really love an album and want to support the artist you can purchase the vinyl version of the album. Apart from supporting the artist you often get additional treats like a nice booklet with the lyrics or additional art/imagery. I really think there's extra value in buying vinyl apart from it being hip.

If you want to buy a physical medium then CDs are the obvious option because objectively they are superior to vinyls in every aspects and they can also come with nice booklets.

I think that the hip-value of vinyls is extremely important.

I write that as someone who had no choice but use vinyls and tapes until I got a CD player...

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#166

Post by explodingcamera »

tzs wrote: post #71

Is anyone working on a reasonably priced turntable to play vinyl discs without degrading them? In the mid '80s, Finial Technology announced such a turntable, and had a working unit at CES in 1986. It had a stylus that contained laser interferometers that could very accurately and precisely measure the distance from the stylus to the grove walls. It kept the stylus near, but not touching, the groove, getting the audio…

This seems kind of counterproductive for the (I think) vinyl target group. If I listen to vinyl, I want the kinda retro feeling "real" analog audio signal, else I'd just get a CD or online download. A mid-range stylus is completly sufficient for a great experience without any noticable noise and next to no real wear on the records.

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#167

Post by reaperducer »

JasonFruit wrote: post #162
reaperducer wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Partly. When I read his comment I remembered an argument some people had in HN a few months back where they were saying there's no point in listening to music in a car unless you had their particular brand and model of sound system because you don't get the full experience. My thought at the time was that unless they have a string orchestra in the back seat, they're not getting the full experience. I still maintain t…

It's too cramped. If you can't move your bow arm freely, you're using pressure instead of speed to produce volume, which ruins the tone and kills projection. Might as well go with mp3 at that point, honestly.

I'm glad someone gets it.

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#168

Post by S_A_P »

criddell wrote: post #123
sverige wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I advise against selling your collection. I sold almost all of my vinyl in the late 80s and really regret it. Also, one of my favorite vinyl albums ever was a cutout Flying Lizards record that I got for a dollar at some very un-hip store. Provenance has nothing to do with it, it's the album itself.

Records from the mid-70s through the 80's were pretty terrible quality.

Thats an interesting take... I have a mix of original and new pressings, and typically any re-release version Ive had has numerous flaws. Even those "180 gram audiophile pressings".

Heres a short list: 1) skips in the track/mastered too loudly 2) uses the CD master and not Vinyl master(anything current may just be that way because the original wasn't released on vinyl, so it sorta gets a pass) Probably the most disappointing re-issue Ive purchased was Led Zeppelin IV. sounded bloody awful, and... 3) the center hole is either a) too small b) too large 4) not so much the pressings fault but since people forget how to store and keep vinyl they usually sit horizontal in a hot warehouse so they are convex/concave depending on what side you play. Does not bode well for tracking even on nice turntables. 5) are usually released on "fancy" clear/colored vinyl which is for lack of a better word, dogshit. It wears more quickly and sounds bad.

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#169

Post by TazeTSchnitzel »

stjohnswarts wrote: post #80
TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #66

CDs are a nearly-perfect format and it's sad to see them decline. Mainstream digital music stores don't even offer CD quality, and streaming services are antithetical to preservation and allow content to disappear overnight.

Mwhat are you talking about, almost all are released as flacs these days. Superior to CD and tend to have better dynamic range as well.

I said “mainstream”

Re: Vinyl set to outsell CDs for first time since 1986

#170

Post by reaperducer »

taylodl wrote: post #144
cortesoft wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wasn't trying to be mocking, just more incredulous. I grew up with albums as our primary source of music, but it was always just put the record on and listen. It was purely functional, being the best way we had to listen to music. When CDs came out, it was so nice because it was easier to handle and care for. I guess it is just the strange feeling of someone describing something that was just the functional way of…

Exactly. Those of us who grew up with albums aren’t buying them now. We’re intimately familiar with the limitations of that medium. I have zero interest in going back. And this from someone who still buys a lot of music.

Those of us who grew up with albums aren’t buying them now

I grew up with albums. I even played vinyl on the radio for years. I still buy vinyl now.

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