It's about time someone updated the Close N'Play.
Is this a disgrace to the Industry ?
Please take a look at this crap:
http://mashable.com/2017/02/02/new-spin-for-old-vinyl-records/#qMNh6PZumiqV
http://mashable.com/2017/02/02/new-spin-for-old-vinyl-records/#qMNh6PZumiqV
29 responses Add your response
*G* The only thing the 'object of discussion' lacks is a graphic on the top that hypnotizes the user into thinking that it's 'state of the art'....which we all know is advert BS and hype... It's just another tech toy... I'll wish them luck, hope it sells enough for them to make their nut. With any luck, it might introduce the few to 'real vinyl reproduction' as we know it and it's capabilities. I don't need nor want it, and agree that for the same amount of cash I can do a lot better.... But I'm 'edgeicated an' spoilt' *L* Perhaps not to the degree I read here @ AG (some go off the deep end of the pool clutching a concrete block with the details IMHO, but to each...), but enough to know that the little spinner widget ain't gonna rival no multi-K$ TT with a cart that'd make most go hari-kari if dropped.... But we're having a good time dissing the thing. *L* Beats talking 'bout the weather...;) |
@folkfreak Thank You! That one looks fun!!! @desktopguy Got it! These last few years I discovered soooo much new musik which I like, off ECM label and Steve Hoffmann forum (for PF fans) that the flood of new CDs, downloads, and LPs, (plus all those box sets of classical which I just have to buy!) prevents me from digitizing my "unobtanium" LPs. But I think I get the point: when I am in my "dog house" barbecuing/drinking/ listening to a boombox, I have cassettes ripped off my favorite CDs to keep me company this contraption, just thinking of it makes me dizzy... The Girl... She is young,... this is nice!... Not like our Bosses..., just wish she were, whats the right term... black??? so that she could dance, not just shake her hair and appendages... |
@sevs regarding the van seems you can still buy the things (but use this on your prized vinyl at your own risk http://odditymall.com/soundwagon-portable-record-playing-hippy-van and no nasty digitization going on here 😏 |
sevs, I would want to digitize (small portions of) my vinyl collection for 2 reasons: 1 - Because most of my vinyl is completely different music from what I've purchased in the CD format--music that's inaccessible unless played on a TT. 2 - So I could access (a tiny portion of) that music as uncompressed computer audio files (.wav)--which allows listening through my high-quality headphone system (which cannot connect to a TT); from a laptop while traveling; etc. |
My first reaction was: what an abomination! Then I noticed that the project already got funded by a quater-mil dollars and realized that I must have a Lot of insecurities (I do!). A few months ago we discussed Levitating TT, now they have platter-less and wall-hugging TTs on Kickstart, they all look real Cool. I am all for "lifestyle" products (thats how I started my audio journey) but this contraption which looks like a cordless phone is not one of those. And it is rotating counter-clockwise which is totally bad for your Feng Shui!! Proceed with caution ;-) you guys mentioned that something similar was done with VW minivan? Any links or keywords so that noncompoops like me could take a look? digitizing my vinyl collection is still a concept I canNot comprehend. Why? Just ask your kids how to join bittorent community and download anything you want. Free, quick, and you wont have the nightmares (as I had today) of a cordless phone going round and round (counterclockwise!) in front of you |
RE: "This won't be the last 'audio heresy' we'll be subjected to.... One never knows the warp and weft of the future, and what may move us yet again...." (wisdom! thanks, asvjerry) For life/situational reasons, my VPI turntable, Grado arm, and Grado cartridge are still in storage (since 1990). I miss that rig--also the ~1500 LPs I used to play on it. Analog is king, in my experience. Interesting to see some startup trying to capitalize on vinyl, albeit with a technology that doubtless underachieves technically, while pandering to potential buyers' "lifestyle" needs. If I could get my vinyl rig going again, I'd have to confront the question of how best to digitize my favorite LPs for listening on my current SOA system (desktop audio w/top-quality headphones, DAC, amplification; speaker upgrade coming soon). The technology shown in the video would not be my answer--but that's just me & my tastes. If I was inclined to be offended by underachieving technologies (ie, as compared to the very best sonic reproduction), I would've been repeatedly & incessantly offended for decades. I've long since adjusted to the fact that I & my audio tastes are in the minority. But as long as others don't mess with me, it matters little. The money I spend on audio that meets my own standards comes from my wallet--no one else's. |
A device that has the potential to grow newcomers into full fledged audiophiles or at least supporters and buyers of vinyl. And this is a disgrace how? I really enjoy this hobby, but the elitist attitudes rampant on web forums like this will do more to harm "the industry" than some device that converts your precious analog signal to digital. Get over yourself. |
Mgreen27, You are correct. I guess I missed the part of the video that showed that this gizmo still dragged a needle through the grooves. I saw the banner in the ad that said it played the music without any damage and thought it was based on a laser pickup. Thus, I was focusing on the fact that a turntable spinning an LP with cartridge plowing though its grooves is a physical interaction whille laser turntables eliminate the very interaction that makes vinyl so unique and, in my opinion, special. Thannks for pointing that out. Frank |
"As noted above, this is not a new idea. I reviewed the "high-end" version of a laser or digital turntable -- The $19,000.00 ELP Corporation LT-2XRC Laser Turntable -- over a decade ago (see link below). Just a quick note - for those of you that think all reviewers give glowing reviews or are pressured by the Editors to be complimentary for advertising reasons, you will see I called it as I saw (or heard) it." The ELP works in a completely different way. With the laser TT, the music is never converted to digital at any point. The unit we're discussing here does convert the music to digital. |
Thanks Frank, regarding the ELP, that used lasers as means to read the groves, this new device as I understand uses a convencional needle, then converts it to Digital and transmits the info vía Bluetooth. So it is a musical abomination ! As clearly explained by Parabolic "analog waveform into a digital signal to be sent via bluetooth or WiFi to be reconverted via a cellphone codec to an analog speaker." The ELP at least was plugged to a decent stereo system, I just dont see the market niche as psickerson, "too expensive to buy a child, someone curious about vinyl would want a traditional TT I would think, why else go vinyl." For this Price is a very expensive novelty too |
As noted above, this is not a new idea. I reviewed the "high-end" version of a laser or digital turntable -- The $19,000.00 ELP
Corporation LT-2XRC Laser Turntable -- over a decade ago (see link below). Just a quick note - for those of you that think all reviewers give glowing reviews or are pressured by the Editors to be complimentary for advertising reasons, you will see I called it as I saw (or heard) it. http://www.soundstage.com/vinyl/vinyl200509.htm |
"Now, Kappa, please. Sit down, take a deep breath, just chill for a moment. He's right on this. It's not a matter of exposing vinyl to a new generation. It can't expose vinyl to a new generation. In order to do that, you need to listen to a record being played back in analog. If you take the wow factor out of the equation, this thing is nothing more than an iPod. But what makes matters even worse, is if you look at how the product is advertised, along with the opinions of the publications that were "reviewing" the TT, they don't even understand what it is they're looking at. (Its not a turntable by the way. In order for a turntable to be a turntable, the table has to turn.) "LOVE maintains the intimacy and quality of vinyl records but adds modern day smart features, while keeping the crackles & pops." This has to be an industry first. When was the last time someone advertised "keeping the crackles & pops", like it was a good thing? "LOVE maintains the intimacy of vinyl and the organic, natural melodies specific to analog sound that we all love." If we all loved vinyl, this product would never have been invented. "We chose the best materials, making sure the soul of the vinyl would be kept intact when read by LOVE." I take it all back. Why didn't they just say so from the beginning? |
*L* As a tangential tracking 'fan' for decades, I'll at least applaud the approach. Watching work is amusing and I remember the VW van version. Now that was a piece of trash... Now, Kappa, please. Sit down, take a deep breath, just chill for a moment. This won't be the last 'audio heresy' we'll be subjected to. At least it's a product that exposes the new generation to vinyl, something we love despite it's inherent flaws and drawbacks. C'mon, it does have some that we know well. But consider the trove of existing discs 'out there'...all the 'used' albums in all the stores that carry them, all the stashes in attics and basements waiting to sing yet again.... The grandchild that places that player on one of late gran dads collection, found in that box under the stair. The discovery of what made the old guy smile when they sat on his lap so long ago. A romantic notion, Yes. But long after the tech beloved by us has fallen into disrepair, something like this may bring our music into the future. Consider the latest Star Trek movie, featuring the Beastie Boys. One never knows the warp and weft of the future, and what may move us yet again.... Consider putting a 'care and handling' note in with the sleeves. ;) |
tpreaves: Not insecure, I am old school, I have a GARRARD 401 with THOMAS SCHICK 12" Tonearm and ORTOFON SPU and the rest of the system is accordingly to juice the Vinyl to its máximum potencial, I just dont really see the point to use this new device to play Vinyl, Its some how a contradcition in itself, using digital-bluetooth Technology to Extract the sound of Vinyl, It just doesn’t make sense. It missing the whole point of using Vinyl. |
I'd imagine it uses an optical sensor to scan the surface for the track breaks and then the cart to play the music. I agree innovative maybe not the ultimate in resolution but still cool. I think there is a place in the market for something like that very portable that's for sure.. well not so much for the records though lol |