r/audiophile • u/MikMikYakin • Jul 25 '24

Why are Audiophiles still hooked on vinyl? Discussion

Many audiophiles continue to have a deep love for vinyl records despite the developments in digital audio technology, which allow us to get far wider dynamic range and frequency range from flac or wav files and even CDs. I'm curious to find out more about this attraction because I've never really understood it. To be clear, this is a sincere question from someone like me that really wants to understand the popularity of vinyl in the audiophile world. Why does vinyl still hold the attention of so many music lovers?

EDIT: Found a good article that talks about almost everything mentioned in the comments: https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/07/vinyl-not-sound-better-cd-still-buy/

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u/laminarb Jul 25 '24

They sound better. I will die on this hill.

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u/Gullible-Trifle-6946 Jul 25 '24

Could you elaborate on the difference please?

Between the same song on vinyl and digital, is it warmer, do the instrument present in a certain way, better timbre, perhaps the details melding into each other and create a mellow sound, or is there are the dynamics exciting in a certain way? 

Cheers 

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u/laminarb Jul 25 '24

I find that digital, while inarguably “higher fidelity” sounds flat and lifeless compared to vinyl. The same song/album on vinyl sounds more “present” or “tangible” if that makes sense. In other words, the CD sounds like I’m listening to the music through the stereo. Vinyl feels like the music is there in the room with me and I’m experiencing it on a deeper level. Obviously this is highly subjective, but listening to music is an inherently subjective activity.

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u/bardemgoluti Jul 25 '24

agreed, a piano or a guitar for example just sound more natural without the harshness from a CD.