I didn't start collecting music until the early 90's, so I don't have a lot of vinyl as it wasn't readily available at that time. By 2010, when I bought my first serious analog gear, I had about 200 records and more than 20,000 CDs. For me, vinyl was an experiment, not a serious hobby. Nevertheless, with a $50K turntable, I felt compelled to buy more vinyl. I did find some great sounding albums that I really enjoyed. However, newer vinyl releases and reissues were a mixed bag, and finding good quality used vinyl was difficult. It also seemed like I spent more time cleaning the LPs than I did listening to them; admittedly because I was purchasing so many records, and they all needed to be cleaned before I could listen to them.
Then I heard a serious CD Transport/DAC for the first time, and it completely opened my eyes to how good those little aluminum discs could sound. The problem is, to buy this massive CD Transport/DAC was going to cost me $80K; I couldn't afford it without selling my analogue gear and my growing record collection. In the end, the decision came down to being practical; I just had too much invested in CDs that I would never be able to come close to replacing with vinyl. Here was an opportunity to improve the sound quality of my entire CD collection, so I took it.
Eight years later, and I have no regrets. I've heard a handful of vinyl records that I can honestly say will never sound as good in any digital format. But I'm not the type of person that can sit and listen to the same five or ten records over and over again. And, for the most part, I can pop in any of the CDs I own and the music is going to blow me a way — like I've never heard it before. The value of that is priceless!
Then I heard a serious CD Transport/DAC for the first time, and it completely opened my eyes to how good those little aluminum discs could sound. The problem is, to buy this massive CD Transport/DAC was going to cost me $80K; I couldn't afford it without selling my analogue gear and my growing record collection. In the end, the decision came down to being practical; I just had too much invested in CDs that I would never be able to come close to replacing with vinyl. Here was an opportunity to improve the sound quality of my entire CD collection, so I took it.
Eight years later, and I have no regrets. I've heard a handful of vinyl records that I can honestly say will never sound as good in any digital format. But I'm not the type of person that can sit and listen to the same five or ten records over and over again. And, for the most part, I can pop in any of the CDs I own and the music is going to blow me a way — like I've never heard it before. The value of that is priceless!