News Article about the Revival of Vinyl

[firefly0071]

Vinyl sales up double digits anaually! 

 

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/australia-culture-blog/2013/jul/18/vinyl-records-fair-revival

[eman]

Sales figures are prob only new retail sales too.

 

Always with the comments about pops and crackles.  That for cereal as far as I'm concerned.

 

After 20yrs of digital I don't put up with it so my records are very clean and mostly crackle free,

 

Properly mastered Hi Res digital could sound good but I don't have any and don't see it being widespread.

[Newman]

Imagine if LP sales went the other way. What a disaster that would be for the industry. Solid growth is the bare minimum survival requirement for vinyl, until it establishes a commercially viable niche.

 

Continued survival of new vinyl absolutely depends IMHO on the music recording industry continuing with its history of mishandling the recording levels and compression of numerous digital recordings of popular and rock music. This stupid stroke of luck for the vinyl industry (and rotten curse for audiophiles) is the only sonically-based reason for audiophiles to keep buying new records.

 

Of course, if the music industry fixed their clumsy blunder, and digital lossless files of all recorded music became routinely available without dynamic clipping or compression, I'm not going to predict the vinyl industry would collapse. The history of behaviour of audiophiles suggests that we as a class can change direction with all the eptitude of the Queen Mary 2 doing a pirouette on a carpet tile.

[Gee Emm]

This stupid stroke of luck for the vinyl industry (and rotten curse for audiophiles) is the only sonically-based reason for audiophiles to keep buying new records.

 

Really? Really?

 

You presume so much!

 

Graham

[New Sensations]

Imagine if LP sales went the other way. What a disaster that would be for the industry. Solid growth is the bare minimum survival requirement for vinyl, until it establishes a commercially viable niche.

Continued survival of new vinyl absolutely depends IMHO on the music recording industry continuing with its history of mishandling the recording levels and compression of numerous digital recordings of popular and rock music. This stupid stroke of luck for the vinyl industry (and rotten curse for audiophiles) is the only sonically-based reason for audiophiles to keep buying new records.

Of course, if the music industry fixed their clumsy blunder, and digital lossless files of all recorded music became routinely available without dynamic clipping or compression, I'm not going to predict the vinyl industry would collapse. The history of behaviour of audiophiles suggests that we as a class can change direction with all the eptitude of the Queen Mary 2 doing a pirouette on a carpet tile.

I'm not so sure about this, Newman. I got a whole bunch of mates who buy vinyl and I'm pretty sure none of their hifi rigs are revealing enough for them to pick sonic advantages of one recording/pressing over another, analogue or digital. They've never even heard of the Loudness Wars and know nothing of compression. They just but vinyl because of received wisdom (that it sounds better) and because they like owning something physical.

With digital downloads rendering (the majority of) CDs redundant for the average listener - my vinyl buying buddies included - people are turning back to records to get that physical product hit. Maybe.

Edited July 22, 2013 by John H. Darko

[Newman]

 

You presume so much!

 

Especially when I look at your avatar, Graham!

[Newman]

I'm not so sure about this, Newman. I got a whole bunch of mates who buy vinyl and I'm pretty sure none of their hifi rigs are revealing enough for them to pick sonic advantages of one recording/pressing over another, analogue or digital. They've never even heard of the Loudness Wars and know nothing of compression. They just but vinyl because of received wisdom (that it sounds better) and because they like owning something physical. With digital downloads rendering (the majority of) CDs redundant for the average listener - my vinyl buying buddies included - people are turning back to records to get that physical product hit. Maybe.

 

Totally agree with all of that, John. I limited my comments to 'sonically-based'. 

[Gee Emm]

I think i understand where you're coming from, but it may just be that for some the jury is still out.

I am not interested in participating in a black v shiny battle.

 

I still think there is presumption in what you proffer.

 

Graham

[hired goon]

I'm not so sure about this, Newman. I got a whole bunch of mates who buy vinyl and I'm pretty sure none of their hifi rigs are revealing enough for them to pick sonic advantages of one recording/pressing over another, analogue or digital. They've never even heard of the Loudness Wars and know nothing of compression. They just but vinyl because of received wisdom (that it sounds better) and because they like owning something physical.

Look at the Henry Rollins quote in that article: Sitting in a room, alone, listening to a CD is to be lonely,†he continues. “Sitting in a room alone with an LP crackling away … is enjoying the sublime state of solitude.. That's just his emotional investment in vinyl coloring his opinion, not an objective fact. It's cool if Hank truly believes that, but I've had many a late night session listening to LPs, CDs and FLACs all by my lonesome and still felt that 'sublime state of solitude' he mentions.

There's a lot of reasons people dig vinyl, and unfortunately hipster snobbery is one of 'em.

--Geoff

[cheekyboy]

With digital downloads rendering (the majority of) CDs redundant for the average listener - my vinyl buying buddies included - people are turning back to records to get that physical product hit. Maybe

 

 

No maybe about it methinks, John! I've been buying and using vinyl/records for around 45 years as my music source and it is good that this many years later, it is my preferred choice, especially given the other formats that are available now. I think you're right about people that are buying vinyl are mostly looking for something physical and my demographic doesn't represent the largest numbers buying new records, but rather the largest group are much younger and they certainly aren't buying for any perceived sonic superiority.

 

I think the snobbery thing does enter into it in some cases, but I think they represent a very small percentage of the vinyl buying market though.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

Edited July 22, 2013 by cheekyboy

[Gee Emm]

... and you can read the writing on the cover (coz the words are bigger )

[cheekyboy]

... and you can read the writing on the cover (coz the words are bigger )

 

Yeah, that too!!  

[David.M]

 Continued survival of new vinyl absolutely depends IMHO on the music recording industry continuing with its history of mishandling the recording levels and compression of numerous digital recordings of popular and rock music. This stupid stroke of luck for the vinyl industry (and rotten curse for audiophiles) is the only sonically-based reason for audiophiles to keep buying new records.

 

I can't agree with you here, I have a number of superbly recorded and mastered (& many other well recorded but superbly mastered) CD/SACDs and the same titles on LP and pretty much the LP is sonically superior in 99% of cases.  Even digital recordings such as Clapton Unplugged the LP easily wins, and again even when the same mastering engineer does both such as the Analogue Productions Norah Jones issues, the LPs are easily superior (imo of course

I would agree that the industry's poor practises with digital has pushed more people towards vinyl but what will ensure the survival of vinyl is it's sonic qualities.  I really don't accept the 'ritual' thing, there will alway be exceptions but really how many people would put themselves through the hassle of buying LPs (the vinyl product by nature having more QC issues than digital), then the ongoing higher cost/maintenance of use if at the end of it all the sonic output was equal to or only marginally better than digital?  Very very few I would think (me included).

[Newman]

I can't agree with vinyl having magic sonic qualities -- but I certainly agree it has fans who will never die. I'm different, I try not to 'marry' a transitional technology that is now superseded.

[Gee Emm]

I try not to 'marry' a transitional technology that is now superseded.

 

According to you!

 

Again Newman, you presume too much!

 

Vinyl is a different technology (eg analogue v digital), what makes vinyl superseded?

 

Graham

Edited July 23, 2013 by mr-happy-pants

[Newman]

I am not interested in participating in a black v shiny battle.

Vinyl is a different technology (eg analogue v digital), what makes vinyl superseded?

 

I'm confused, Graham; are you asking for this to be discussed, or not?

[David.M]

I can't agree with vinyl having magic sonic qualities -- but I certainly agree it has fans who will never die. I'm different, I try not to 'marry' a transitional technology that is now superseded.

 

I wouldn't suggest vinyl has any 'magic' sonic qualities, all I say is that good vinyl sounds more real than the best digital (eg lifelike instrument timbre, dynamics, 3D soundstage), I should qualify that by saying I've not heard the 4 stack dCS or Esoteric separates but I've not heard a $70-100+k tt set-up either.  Vinyl's survival is not magic related but simply a product of the quality of the reproduced sound it gives, imo.

[Gee Emm]

I'm confused, Graham; are you asking for this to be discussed, or not?

 

Hello Newman

 

We can discuss it all you like, as long as it doesn't become a black v shiny battle! -_-

 

Graham

[Candyflip]

... as long as it doesn't become a black v shiny battle! -_-

 

Graham

 

Why - is that banned?

Edited July 23, 2013 by candyflip

[evil c]

Why - is that banned?

Now - now

Think he is getting tired of the endless debate as am I.

Thought this was about  an article on the revival of vinyl - as in popularity for those so enamoured 

[handy steel]

There is no question about it, vinyl is becoming popular again because it does sound better in more cases than not.

[cafe67]

Look at the Henry Rollins quote in that article: Sitting in a room, alone, listening to a CD is to be lonely,†he continues. “Sitting in a room alone with an LP crackling away … is enjoying the sublime state of solitude.. That's just his emotional investment in vinyl coloring his opinion, not an objective fact. It's cool if Hank truly believes that, but I've had many a late night session listening to LPs, CDs and FLACs all by my lonesome and still felt that 'sublime state of solitude' he mentions.

There's a lot of reasons people dig vinyl, and unfortunately hipster snobbery is one of 'em.

--Geoff

Amen to that.

A crap album is a crap album no matter what medium it is on - I doubt Britney, one direction, beiber etc etc magically sound better just because it on vinyl, just as a cheap n cr4ppy turntable with sound just that.

That loneliness is playing a CD line, is one of biggest piles of barf I've heard in ages.

Edited July 24, 2013 by cafe67

[Phantom]

Amen to that.

A crap album is a crap album no matter what medium it is on - I doubt Britney, one direction, beiber etc etc magically sound better just because it on vinyl, just as a cheap n cr4ppy turntable with sound just that.

That loneliness is playing a CD line, is one of biggest piles of barf I've heard in ages.

 

Could not agree more, particularly about the steaming pile of schit and hubris when he mentions listening to a CD is lonely.

 

It really is time that people just got on with enjoying music in their preferred format and stopped espousing subjective clap trap about a perceived superiority. It is audio snobbery at its sickening worst.

[jeffl]

Could not agree more, particularly about the steaming pile of schit and hubris when he mentions listening to a CD is lonely.

 

It really is time that people just got on with enjoying music in their preferred format and stopped espousing subjective clap trap about a perceived superiority. It is audio snobbery at its sickening worst.

 

Not wanting an argument with you Spooks , if you don't agree

But

Had an interesting chat with an elderly lady recently , regarding her ancient , but beloved Vinyl collection & HiHiFi System.

Pointed out how *** lifelike her magic new TV *** sounded.

The total freaked out look on her face , when told she was listening to a "Dreaded Digital Stream"

 

Amazing how many of my generation , haven't got a clue about Natural Sound , madly clinging to equip you couldn't sell new now

 

AncientJeff!

[David.M]

It really is time that people just got on with enjoying music in their preferred format and stopped espousing subjective clap trap about a perceived superiority. It is audio snobbery at its sickening worst.

 

Sorry, who is it that are displaying 'audio snobbery at it's sickening worst', those that express their 'subjective' opinions or those who ridicule others for doing so?  A little more tolerance would be a wonderful thing, even better than vinyl