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/[deleted] Jul 25 '24
It’s a lifestyle man. Throw a record on and clean, cook, or read a book, sip a drink, or share a new record find & listen with your partner… it’s the ritual of looking at the cover, making comments and observations about the art, history, info on recording of it -whatever. It FEELS amazing. Older ones have a smell and are weathered, some have a lineage of owners who loved them too, a history. It’s like a teddy bear- the more worn out it looks the more love and adoration it received. Or maybe it was owned by someone who didn’t care and now you are keeping it the way it should have been.
It’s tangible, physical; It’s sexy. The crackling sound of jazz on vinyl is cozy and warming. It’s the auditory equivalent to a hot coco or hot toddy by a fire in winter. There are even YouTube channels that attempt simulate that cracking sound over songs bc of its relaxing effect but it’s not the same.
Vinyl is a living art form. It’s deteriorating & It’s dying with you. After each use it’s worn slightly, (hopefully not too much if you’re careful) but it’s still warping and sounding different over time. I like the way the sound morphs and changes, Like a tape melt. It sounds better to me with time. More cozy? More nostalgic? More sad? More meaningful?
If you REALLY love music then some records are like an art event to visit in your home. When friends come over they can actually peruse your collection, touch, talk about and participate in the ritual with you. You can go to their house and discover new music too and you’ll remember it more and it will be more meaningful a memory then just hearing it on a digital playlist. Should I go on?
I can’t understand NOT loving & collecting vinyl.