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Is MP3 responsible for the return of Vinyl?

To the casual or untrained listener (which most people are), CDs sounded more dynamic with lower noise floor than LPs when they came out. Most people didn't notice the loss of warmth or the subtle dynamic shadings, or the loss of smoothness and air in the treble. So they migrated quickly to CDs. Then when mp3 technology became available, people didn't notice too much loss in sound quality over CD relative to the portability and convenience, so they migrated once again to mp3s.

HOWEVER, when you compare a lossy mp3 recording to an LP, the differences are dramatic. The LP suddenly reveals the microdynamics that make an emotional connection to the music. Word is that the teens and 20-somethings (the mp3 generation) are driving the vinyl renaissance.

So...do we actually have the mp3 paradigm shift to thank for bringing back vinyl?
johnnyb53

Showing 2 responses by johnnyb53

johnnyb53 OP
3,510 posts
 
03-23-08: Tvad
Take a look at the new vinyl listings on Amazon. The majority have are rap and hip hop titles.

I suppose if the OP's question is specifically directed at the increase in audiophile vinyl sales, then you might be correct. But, I suspect there is larger market growth in vinyl sales related to rap, hip hop, and non-audiophile titles, and these have nothing to do with better sound quality. It's kids' curiosity in nostalgia which fuels an appreciation for the medium, and promotes more sales.
I just checked Amazon's vinyl section and this is how it breaks down today, bearing in mind that there is significant overlap from category to category (e.g., Thriller is in both Pop and Dance/DJ):

Rock: 30,657
Dance & DJ: 22,845
Pop: 22,185
Alt Rock: 18,919
Rap/Hip-hop: 13,433
R&B: 12,377
Classic Rock: 7,094
Jazz: 6,470
Punk: 4,451
Classical: 5,403
Reggae: 3,493

Although Rap/Hip-Hop and Dance/DJ have large numbers, Rock and Pop are bigger by far. Even Jazz and Classical combine for nearly 12,000 titles, which isn't far behind Rap/Hip-Hop.

Certainly not all growth is in the dance market. Look at what's happening in turntables and cartridges. Rega, SOTA, Music Hall, Clearaudio, Thorens, and Pro-Ject have all expanded their lines. NAD, Marantz, and McIntosh have introduced badge-engineered turntables. KAB is making a living adapting the DJ's most popular turntable for satisfying home use.

If you look at the sheer number of titles, LPs have far eclipsed SACD and DVD-A as the high resolution format of choice.

My stepson is 21. His persistent urging is what got me back into vinyl a year ago. He has an iPod stuck to his head much of the day, but when he comes home and wants to truly enjoy the music, he spins vinyl. According to several articles I've read lately, that's what this generation is discovering and doing--iPod for portability, LPs for connecting to the music. LPs don't have to be audiophile pressings to sound better than CDs or lossy-compressed mp3 files. The vinyl I pull from the 99-cent bins sounds loads better.
johnnyb53 OP
3,510 posts
 
03-24-08: Tvad
I don't believe most kids who are discovering vinyl for the first time do it because they want to connect with the music. The connection to the music is a positive by-product of being hip.
Exactly!

They come for the cool factor or out of curiosity. They stay for the unanticipated emotional experience.
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