Should I try to go back to LPs?

David C · « **on:** 23 May 2011, 07:08 pm »

I know what I might expect from the vinyl circle but here goes..... I am getting ready to retire and did have a TT some 30 yrs ago but lost all of my records in a house fire and then I rebuilt with Cds and digital. I will be attending RMAF this yr to pick my "last speakers" (B&W 802D, Wilson Sophia 3, Salk soundscapes, Classic Audio reproductions T1s; are on my list) but I wonder is it worthwhile to start all over again with a TT and LPs. I would be starting from scratch and look at it as a long road back with some angst. To give you an idea my last LP set up was a TT with a Rabco ST7 arm and an Advent Model 300 as a pre with Son of Ampzilla amp and DQ10 speakers. Should I just remember the sound and stay with digital or bite the bullet and re-begin the LP journey. Appreciate your honest thoughts and I know you are all LP crazy

thanks

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 May 2011, 07:23 pm »

Since you are about to retire, this will give you something to do. Go find those old favorites and get the collection going.

For tables and phono preamps, it's the sky is the limit on price, tho I think there is a quick point of diminishing returns.

Wayner

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 May 2011, 07:28 pm »

I'm hoping to retire in 18 mo. and I've recently bought a better table and a tube phone pre. Have to admit...I'm lovin' it.

Get some good source material and table...you won't look back.
Hibuck...

doug s. · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 May 2011, 08:21 pm »

here's a perfect way to start - even at the "buy it now" price, it's a good deal. spend a LOT more to equal the sound. especially if you upgrade the arm:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Empire-Troubador-Turntable-298-Rare-Find-/290569100191

doug s.

Bigfish · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 May 2011, 08:57 pm »

Quote from: David C on 23 May 2011, 07:08 pm

I know what I might expect from the vinyl circle but here goes..... I am getting ready to retire and did have a TT some 30 yrs ago but lost all of my records in a house fire and then I rebuilt with Cds and digital. I will be attending RMAF this yr to pick my "last speakers" (B&W 802D, Wilson Sophia 3, Salk soundscapes, Classic Audio reproductions T1s; are on my list) but I wonder is it worthwhile to start all over again with a TT and LPs. I would be starting from scratch and look at it as a long road back with some angst. To give you an idea my last LP set up was a TT with a Rabco ST7 arm and an Advent Model 300 as a pre with Son of Ampzilla amp and DQ10 speakers. Should I just remember the sound and stay with digital or bite the bullet and re-begin the LP journey. Appreciate your honest thoughts and I know you are all LP crazy

thanks

David:

Do you have an audio friend that has a decent vinyl rig? If so it would offer you the opportunity to compare your digital player to his vinyl rig.

I personally think a high quality vinyl rig can produce quality sound that may be better than you can obtain from a high-end digital rig. However, I have chosen to forgo the vinyl route in favor of digital. I seriously thought about vinyl but today's DACs are very good and I like to be able to select any track by simply using a IPad as my controller. Based on reading your post you are looking at some high-end gear for your system. Thus, if you choose to pursue Vinyl you will need a high-end rig (table, arm, cartiage, phono amp and cables). There are so many choices to have to ponder.

Good luck on your decision. I am by no means trying to discourage you from pursuing vinyl but please go into the journey with your eyes open.

Good luck,

Ken

Devil Doc · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 May 2011, 09:48 pm »

YES! My turntable is currently down while I await a new cartridge to arrive. I've been listening to CD exclusively for about a month. I'm not happy. I miss the ritual of LP playing. I'm more involved when I play my records.

Doc.

DavidS · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 May 2011, 10:12 pm »

After years of waffling on this I have just done what you are contemplating. It made little common sense for me - as I have over 1000 cds and a high end cd player (EMM Labs) that sounds wonderful.

I bought an old Linn LP12 (I dreamed about one of these in the late 70's), have added a new cartridge and a beginner phono pre (Moon LP3). The sound is crazy good (not as perfect sounding as my cd player) but
1. love the organic, images that float, black background sound
2. love playing just half a record before bed, perfect with a wee dram on weekends - and the ritual of clean and cue
3. I can envision checking out used record stores on my holidays and as I travel finding hidden treasures and bargains - I too am about 18 months to retirement
4. I am going to buy different vinyl than cds - most of my cds are new releases, vinyl is going to be used jazz and classical, some old rock, folk, blues.
5. the old Linn is highly tweakable - so will slowly improve the table and vinyl sound but this can happen as the opportunity presents - the EMM Labs is best cd player I can afford - end of story.

David

rcag_ils · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 May 2011, 10:31 pm »

A message for all the "ready to retire vinyl addict wanna be"

It may seem like fun to get back to vinyl during your retirement because you would have all the time in the world to enjoy that dynamic vinyl sound, right? Wrong, and I'll tell you why before you blow your entire retirement, or your social security check on some outragously priced crazy vinyl gear.

Put the expenses for the gear aside, vinyl records are heavy when your collection reaches the number of more than twenty, and I would guess most of you would want more than twenty. When you are old and gray, and somewhat less mobil, depending on your health, while staring at that twenty crates of vinyl records with a hundred in each crate, knowing the good Lord will come and get you any time. What would you do with all that vinyl?

Unless you have someone to dump that thousand pounds of vinyl onto, and they may hate you for it, I would not get back into vinyl as a retirement hobby, I would do the opposite, get out of it. Get yourself some CDs, so whoever will inherit your stuff can keep them or get rid of them with ease. Don't burden anyone.

Sorry that it's not a welcomed message for the folks about to retire, but it's true.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 May 2011, 10:43 pm »

Wow. Seems like everybody is into downloading files these days. Analog is addicting. Watch out.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 May 2011, 10:43 pm »

I have three TTs Rega P5 with speed control a Benz glider cart to a Bryston Bp- 1.5 phono with kimber KCAG interconnect total cost was new $6,000 or so
And a Kuzma Stogi S with speed control and a Dynavector 17D3 cart to a ARC Sp-15, KCAG (used) total cost $5,000
And a cheap Dual Golden One with Dynavector Ruby23 to a ARC PH-2 total used $1,300.
Plus 6,000 LPs.

Just so you know I am a vinyl person:

My answer to the question is NO.

With the disclamer:
Only yes IF you have a large supply locally of used vinyl.
You should go look BEFORE you buy a turntable etc, at the local used vinyl supply in your area. Scout around and see what sort of used Lp stores are in your area.
If you have any Half Price Books stores within driving distance. Or other small local stores that sell used vinyl and NOT Goodwill or other used 'general' resellers.
So then: if you have a variety of used vinyl sellers and find stuff that looks interesting to you each time you go, (several visits)
THEN yeah buy a turntable. Used, new, whatever. because you have a supply of products to PLAY on it.
However, if you do NOT have any local decent supply of records Do NOT go back into vinyl.
You will be unhappy if you try to buy records online. First the new ones: many have warped, scratched etc and the hassle is a pain. Then used online is a learning curve, and ebay sucks, Audiogon sucks for price. And the 'good' online sellers are uniformly overpriced (thier customers are over a barrel IMO.
SO the local record availability is the key to your question. 100% promise this is the MOST IMPORTANT THING.
(unless you have boatloads of money to throw at the problem. Or are totally insane as many vinyl affectionados are.)
i have four great local places to buy used vinyl. And that does not include any Goodwill or such stores in my area. So I have a good reason to be into vinyl. IMO.
Though i STILL play Cds more than vinyl because i am lazy. Go figure.

Photon46 · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 May 2011, 11:03 pm »

DavidC, what sort of music would you be buying on vinyl? I agree with Elizabeth's assessment of availability/price questions IF you're talking about rock, pop, & jazz genres. I listen to more classical than other forms of music and I find that there is still good to excellent availability of quality classical vinyl. Prices have been escalating moderately locally (central Florida) and quite a bit on Ebay from the quality sellers I purchase from. I'm really glad I purchased most of the rock vinyl I want in the past before prices went through the roof in the last year or two. One of the great things I used to like about vinyl was the ability to find interesting stuff to take a chance on in the $1.00 bargain bins. Those days are pretty much gone now in my experience, competition has driven prices way up recently.

SteveFord · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 May 2011, 11:31 pm »

Without a doubt.
Get a good record cleaning machine, a decent turntable, cartridge and phono stage and enjoy your retirement!

JohnR · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 May 2011, 12:12 am »

My take would be similar to Elizabeth I think - find the records first and then decide. If you locate a stash of records that you'd really like to play, buy them and then look for a turntable. That's what I did anyway and I'm not "there" yet but hopefully it will end up being worth it. I don't think I'd like to be in a position of trying to find good records one by one so I can justify the expenditure on the hardware...!

Elizabeth · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 May 2011, 12:22 am »

JohnR That is what brought me back to vinyl after a long absence. A large reasonable collection of classical vinyl was thrust my way. And i had to decide do i really want to get back into vinyl?
So I did. Then i found that a lot off good stores around too. So i recommend checking for stores first! As if none around, i would have felt like it was a waste of time. but as it is, i find stuff every week.
I do buy a few rare things on the internet. Most of my stuff is bought used, locally.

orthobiz · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 May 2011, 01:39 am »

Yes.

Paul

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 May 2011, 03:37 am »

My nightly experience is opposite of Elizabeth's. Once I switch front ends to analog, I seem to stay for much longer periods of time. It could be differences in the components I have, I suppose, or something going on for me on the inside.

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 May 2011, 03:56 am »

Absolutely!

My listening experiences are different from Elizabeth's. I had pretty much stopped listening to vinyl in the late 1990's. I made the decision in 2005 to bring the B & O TT up out of the basement, and I soon found that I prefered listening to vinyl. A year later I bought a new Project Perspective TT & Blackbird cartridge. Two years later I found a used SME 20/2 on Audiogon and added a Lyra Skala cartridge. Today I listen to vinyl 90% of the time and play CD's only when I am running around the house, working in the yard or there is no vinyl of the CD.

I have had good luck buying on line, especially from Discogs. I also travel a lot and have found good used vinyl in in several cities, but most of my used vinyl is purchased from the only record store left in Spokane.

You will find lots of good used vinyl at RMAF from at least two very reputable dealers and the Denver area has several good used vinyl stores. Acoustic Sounds will have a boat load of new Vinyl too.

I also recommend you check out the Daedalus Speakers at RMAF in room 1030.

Laura

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 May 2011, 04:00 am »

Quote from: orthobiz on 24 May 2011, 01:39 am

Yes.

Paul

Darn, you beat me to my smart ass answer. I guess I should have got online instead of watching the final episode of "The Event".

Anyway, if you have to ask if "should I", the answer is prolly no. I couldn't wait to get back in to vinyl after rescuing the remnants of my former collection from the divorce. Only 150 or so, but enough for a start, and I still had a table. Starting from scratch, I would suggest Hi rez is the way to go. At least the way to go before starting in to vinyl.

bastlnut · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 May 2011, 07:44 am »

hallo,

absolutely! get your vinyl rig upgraded some, as you already want to.
mostly get better phono stage. this will make a huge difference.
vinyl can be bought locally at 2nd hand stores or charity shops and some for very little money.
online is more expensive, and mostly because of postage costs for one or 2 records.
when i travel i will buy up to 20kg of vinyl beauties and ship them back home before i return.
it is a wonderful hobby for retirement and even before.
i have a very good CeeDee player that gets very little use because it does not come close to my vinyl set up and i enjoy the vinyl sound so much more.
i can be lazy too but refuse to let that get in the way of my enjoyment of music.
my partner thinks i am crazy and she knows i will not change,
so she leaves well enough alone.

you don't have to spend your life's savings on vinyl,
it just takes the same discipline that you used when you were still drudging on at a job.
this is so much more fun too!

regards,
bas

David C · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 May 2011, 08:27 am »

First of all let me say thank you to everyone for the well thought out responses and opinions.I am going to do a couple of things .... check out the local supply of LPs (thanks Elizabeth) and see if I can find someone nearby our new home that has a rig I can borrow for a few days. I will also check the brick and mortor store that is about 45 min drive away to see if I can take a set up on loan. We currently live in the UK (London) and will be repatriating after almost 15 yrs in the UK and 37 yrs with the company I work for and I am looking for some quality time with my music. Again thank you and I will keep you posted on my speaker purchase as well as my TT update and journey

regards
David