CD's or Vinyl?


Gun to your head, if you could only pick one, which would you choose.  As nostalgic and sublime as Vinyl can be I think I'd have to go with Cd's.  Just seems cleaner and more pristine to me.

And You?

 

klimt

@laoman  When you say Vinyl sounds more like live music, you must be equating all the pops and clicks on vinyl to the coughing and hacking you can't avoid hearing at a live show?  On that basis. I must agree, Vinyl does sound more like live music. 🤣

@bigtwin 
Pops and crackle? You have a poor analogue system and do not look after your LPs? Well that is your problem.
As I stated in this thread, Until recently I attended usually 2 concerts, often more a week. In addition because of my circumstances I got to hear and compare a large number of classically trained singers live and in recordings, sometimes in the same venue on the same night.
Nearly all artists preferred the sound of vinyl to other sources as it is far closer to the live performance and does not have the digital "glare" of CDs. Streaming is a distant third source. I guess if people listen to pop music this does not matter much.

 

I listen to LPs more than CDs, but most of the time I stream, preferably higher-res files from Qobuz.  Only very good records can surpass the quality of well-mastered, high-res files, and it does take time to keep clean records clean, but I'm OCD enough that I don't mind destaticizing the LP, cleaning it and the stylus.

With a good R2R DAC and transport, I imagine CDs could generally be quite satisfactory, especially if you don't like the fuss of maintaining vinyl.

@laoman   I actually have an excellent system and take very good care of my Vinyl.  Many LPs going back to the 70s that are still in great condition.  IMHO, it's virtually impossible for Vinyl to stay pristine over time.  Not to mention the few pops & clicks that arrive on almost any new vinyl purchased.  As for CDs having a "glare" in the sound, I would have to turn your comments back to you.  Maybe you just have a poor digital rig?  All things being equal, and they usually aren't, I don't have the golden years that can appreciate the glorious life-like sound that only vinyl brings to the table.  Sucks to be me I guess.  Cheers.