Is it worth expanding into Vinyl???

I've just been going through this very same thought process and have some observations.

1. For analog recordings (i.e. pre-1985 or so), vinyl gets to the soul of a music experience that digital simply cannot. Even with it's higher resolution and expanded resolution formats, when compared to vinyl digital just plain sounds...digital.

2. Jazz on vinyl is the ultimate hi-fi experience. All the great jazz that was produced from the late 50's to the late 70's sounds best on vinyl without question. Recording processes were perfected for that medium and the medium loves it back. If you doubt this, vinyl is probably not for you.

3. One of the highlights of my week is heading down to my local used record shop every week-end to plow through the new additions bins and see what gems I might find. I rarely leave with less than 4 albums and rush right home to bask in their brilliance. Getting back into vinyl has allowed me to rediscover music that didn't sound right to me on digital.

4. You will have to invest a minimum of $2,000 for 'new' equipment for a table and cartridge to do a decent hi-fi justice. Add a little more if you require a phono stage. The better your system, the more flaws it will point out. Buying used may save you some money if you are disciplined to stay with the same class of component. But if you are like me, buying used says "hey, I'm getting a deal so I should spend just as much and move up."

5. Whatever you think you are going to spend, add 50%. While people often forget the 20% cost rule for cables (interconnects, power) when buying components, accessory can get downright ridiculous with vinyl. Dust covers, record clamps, arm wiring, cartridges, replacement belts, isolation platforms, record cleaning supplies, etc.

6. Old popular records are dirt cheap at your neighborhood used record store. If you live in a city of any size, you have at least one or two. Get a stack of your favorites for $1.99 each. Some will be thrashed, but many will be in surprisingly good shape.

7. New records are crazy expensive - especially the ones that are really involving and make vinyl worth listening to. Half speed masters, 45 rpm re-issues, 180 gram editions - the production of these are not cheap.

My conclusions have 2 parts; (1) If you want to get into vinyl because of it's auditory properties like superior staging and lively feel, don't start down the path unless you are financially ready to do so. In my experience, that means close to $5,000 - $3,000+ for equipment and $2,000 for LPs and ancillaries. (2) If you want to simply try out the experience, you can easily get an inexpensive table (with a built in stage amp) and a fat stack of used records for your $500. Just know going in what you want from the experience and think through what you are willing to spend for it. We all have different priorities.

I wonder why so many vinylphiles seem to go out of their way in order to discourage prospective new "members". I've owned high-end turntables, tonearms and cartridges for twenty years now, and have rarely ever needed more than my trusty walnut-handled Discwasher record brush, a few seconds dust-removing treatment when the LP is first spun up. For those very infrequent used LPs or new "sticky" LPs which need it (maybe a few times a year), I use my budget Nitty Gritty record-cleaning machine, something like a couple of hundred bucks new. Too busy listening to the music to have the patience for more than that, too impatient to lay on the next LP :-). So, I have to disagree, vinyl need not be particularly time-consuming (though you do have to get out of your chair to flip sides) or expensive, and excellent results can be had at a budget price, especially considering the various superb used deals out there.

The problem of ticks and pops as well is exaggerated, a decent tonearm takes care of that (sloppy bearings exaggerates/amplifies the effect), and a cartridge which does not emphasize such things (some are noisy, some are quiet in the groove). Amazing results on a budget, $200-400 used including tonearm, can be had from such trusted names as Thorens, Ariston, Rega and others. And thinking outside the box, old-time receivers such as a MARANTZ 2220 had superb phono stages for a fraction of today's sonic equivalents (about $100 used these days, and with superb tuner section), just use the tape output and use it strictly as a phono stage or tuner! Preamps such as the older C-J PV-series can be had for about $400 with decent tubes, and have high-end phono stages it would cost well over a grand to match today, if not more, and can also be used as outboard phono stages via the tape outputs. With the low low price of used LPs, some serious fun - AND sound quality - can be had on a budget.

Experimenting is fun, satisfying curiosity is fun, and the music from good ol' vinyl is entrancing and rewarding. Vinyl is also a lazy and relaxed music-lover's medium (the dust on my Nitty Gritty is a 1/2" thick), not only the preserve of masochists ;-).

I agree with Johnnantais. You can make this as much or as little work as you want to. If you see it as work though maybe it's not for you. It's a hobby and no hobby is for everyone. There's gratification in being able to have direct impact on the sound you're getting in so many ways. Digital formats simply don't have the same potential for involvement. If putting effort into a hobby weren't satisfying why would anyone build a ship in a bottle, tie flies, or needle point? People threw away their records when the CD came out not because CDs are better but because they're easier. Convenience will always win out with the general public.

>>Remember nearly EVERYONE toosed the records when CD came out. IT WAS FOR A REASON.<<

Yes they did.

And for a very bad reason.

Convenience.

Paradoxically, nearly "everyone" regrets doing it.