Again, thank you all for your good wishes
MissingCDs and records
Since I have had a long-standing hip problem (now being fixed,) I have physically been unable to play CDs and more significantly, records.
I bought an outstanding streamer (Aurelac 200) to cope with my disability, and am very happy with the sound it’s producing . However, I’m now finding that, despite the superlative sound of the Aurelac, I’m missing the experience of relishing individual discs and records which have their own character and speak to me. They’re like old friends you can’t replace with a stream. Of course there are many advantages to streaming, including a universal discography to select from, but having that intimate contact with an artifact is a special feeling.
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I’m having a knee replacement in April. For various logistical reasons I will be using the basement bedroom for recovery. I have a 5.1 surround sound system here, also my turntable, but no streamer. I just ordered a Wiim streamer to add to the system because I realized that I wouldn’t be inclined to fire up physical media during this period. I didn’t want to invest any more in a streamer for this system because once I recover it probably won’t get much use as my main streamers are elsewhere in the home |
To: rvpiano I wish to offer constructive and heartfelt encouragement based on parallel personal experience. After 7 decades of being blessed with exceptional health, I suffered a fractured femur while helping a parishioner navigate his wheelchair on church grounds. Emergency surgery was performed and for 60 days I could not place weight on my left leg or begin physical therapy (PT). For the following 6 months, I could not walk without support or climb the 18 steps leading to my upstairs music listening room. Music has been my respite since my early teens, and the 3500 LPs and 1500 CDs are my ultimate leisurely source of comfort, solace, joy, and inspiration. When I was finally able to crawl and limp up the stairs, I spent time selectively listening to my CDs while attempting to complete my home PT assignments. I also invested hours sitting in my music listening chairs contemplating how to reconfigure the 3 separate audio (strictly 2-channel plus subwoofer) systems to facilitate playing my LPs, CDs, and cassette tapes. Thanks to the grace of God and my family, I now have the equipment and speakers well placed and I can access my media, players, and interconnects without trepidation or incurring too much pain. I am still in outpatient PT after 2 years, attributable to related back, sciatica and achilles complications. However, you can well imagine the pleasure and satisfaction I derive in listening to, and viewing, my media and audio sources. My point of this diatribe is to assure you that patience, adherence to medical counsel, and focus on overall wellness will be rewarded. While you may never again be a virtuoso of the air guitar, you have your music. Blessings to you in the days ahead. |
I’ve got 1000’s of LP’s and CD’s so not a lot of reason to go hunting for more BUT I constantly discover new stuff on my main “streaming” source, indie volunteer FM station WEVL 89.9 in Memphis over internet. Often I end up buying stuff they play I’ve never heard of played by really knowledgeable people doing it for the love of it. Might save $$ to keep from getting more from Amazon and Discogs! |
I'm still recovering from an 11 hour back surgery back in September, involving T9 all the way to the sacrum. So I empathize. Lost on the physical vs streaming argument (in addition to the money we lose on streaming) is that we actually PROGRAM recordings in terms of what comes when. It's part of the art form. |
I'm in the process of moving to our new house and this would have been an excellent time to get rid of my 4000+ CDs and 1000+ records. I've even ripped all my CDs to FLAC. But I couldn't do it. There is something about spinning the physical media on a beautifully made piece of mechanical equipment that gives me pleasure. I enjoy looking at the album art and credits and I like the process of looking through my collection and finding a gem that I haven't heard in a long time. I have a Qobuz subscription that I use mostly to find new music but I buy the physical version of the stuff I like. Besides, it gets more money to the artists. Congratulations on returning to the world of physical media. |
Agree completely. For me it's roughly a 50/50 mix of streaming and CDs. Whenever I stream something I really like I buy the CD. I also polish the disk once with Rain-X and always give CDs a spin on my old Bedini CD Clarifier before playing. Not sure how much difference the Clarifier makes (the Rain-X does), but I enjoy the ritual. |
I agree completely... The tactility of LPs, the jacket art, the glorious warmth and imperfection of the sound... Yes you have to get up every 15 minutes but so what. I am definitely a digital guy and maybe it's just dumb nostalgia, but I'm never getting rid of my turntable. Best wishes on your recovery. Auralic 200? |
Not sure how such an innocuous thread as this has to have 4 posts removed. What are the Audiogon forums turning into? Are people that full of bitterness?
Back to the OP. I have all my seedees boxed up and in the closet. But I still enjoy spinning records. The sound is fantastic, but the visceral feeling of touching the record and the player adds to the enjoyment. |
…for many of us older folks, when we were kids, it was the records and the photos that came with them was the only way to see the band… There were no videos, and unless you caught them on tour, the physical media provided a ton of information and entertainment…
sorry for the bad grammar and punctuation…this was dictated…😎 |
Having moved to mostly streaming, I still miss reading the album covers and studying the pictures and that’s why I still have a CDT. When I feel nostalgic or want to listen to something that’s not on any streaming service, I pull out the album and pop it in. I did get rid of probably 95% of my vinyl, but still have 2500ish CD’s. Feel better soon @rvpiano |
A labour of love. Best to keep all listening options open for maximum flexibility and enjoyment. I still have about 8400 pieces of music (LPs and CDs), Tidal and Roon. This way, I can enjoy the laziness of streaming along with the more tactile experience of physical medium. I still enjoy the thrill of searching for and finding gems at record shows or even at the local thrift store. Hobby? Addiction? Whatever, because it is harmless and enjoyable.😀🎶🎼🎵😀 Good luck with the hip surgery. |
When I pull out an old LP, it is so much more than just the music. I can remember when and where I bought it. I can remember great times with friends listening to our favorites. The upgrades over the years were so much fun. I brought an advertisement to my friends house circa 1980. The ad claimed that the turntable (Thorens?) made the coins on Pink Floyds "Money" sound more jangly. Everyone laughed. One month later my buddy bought a VPI turntable. We're still at it! Keep listening people! |
Hope all goes well with your recovery. There is something special about owning and playing physical music. I find it’s what I grew up with and adapting to change can be hard but and I’m starting to enjoy the benefits of changing to streaming like I did when I moved from albums and CDs to the iPod. It’s a great time to love and play music whenever and wherever you want. |
@rvpiano Fully understand what you are saying. It's great to take a record out of its sleeve I also have a high end streamer and a dac, which sonically outperform everything in my huge collection of LPs and CDs. But also, the other day I was preparing to sell old 1970s audio gear which i still had somewhere in the attic. Playing an LP from that period sounded 'just right'. It sounded not high-end, but simply how I still had it in my mind. |
Get well soon. My partner just had her knee replaced... the other in a couple months. I'm not at all nostalgic about getting up to change albums... or turn off and on lights (there is Alexia), or change the home temperature (I can do it from my phone). I have so many other things I would rather do. But we are all different. Hopefully you'll be flipping discs soon. |
For me it’s nostalgic, it’s a ritual that takes me back to a simpler life. To select and pull an album from its sleeve, eyeball it for dust specks, place it on the platter and dropping the needle makes for a more immersive, intimate listening experience. Much more so than the sterility of scrolling and pressing a button. Gives me the illusion that I’m part of the magic. Here's to successfully getting back to full mobility... |
Sorry to hear of your hip issues and good that you have addressed it. Also good to see the first three post have been removed by the moderators or even better hoping Moe, Larry and Curly had enough gumption to do it themselves. Good luck to you and be safe and in no time you will be back at it. Enjoy the music |
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As we get older, health issues steal so much from us. The great news is that your hip is getting fixed and you will be able, once again, to experience the joys of physical media. Perhaps your medical challenge has made you even more appreciative of their virtues. You will be back in the saddle in no time. Best wishes for a complete, and speedy, recovery. |
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