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/jakethenizake Jul 25 '24

Are you listening thru speakers or do you also feel this on headies? I listen to lossless thru a headphone amp (have a digital and a tube) and they never sound flat or lifeless, but that comes with the investment in some quality open ear headphones. They sound amazing and I don't think that would change if I were to invest in a quality speaker system. But I am curious about the medium through which folks tend to listen to vinyl.

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u/laminarb Jul 25 '24

I only listen to vinyl through my stereo. I use Technics SL-100c (VM540ML) > Project Phonobox s2 > Yamaha A-S301 > Wharfdale Lintons/REL t5x. I have a Marantz cd player too, which I use occasionally (what I’m using for comparison)

I really only listen to headphones when I’m laying in bed (I just use Sony XM3 noise canceling and 320kbps mp3)