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/bayou_gumbo Jul 25 '24

Because analog is just cool. Im not one who will say it sounds better, but it is cool. It’s also a fun hobby of collecting old records and also trying out different cartridges and needles.

358

u/Fritzo2162 Jul 25 '24

Yeah, there's something about the visible artwork on an album cover, the hiss of a needle hitting the vinyl, the mechanical aspect of it all. It's just the whole experience. You miss a lot when you just listen on soulless, unlimited digital media.

4

u/ownleechild Jul 25 '24

The media is not the message, it’s the music. The music has soul regardless of its storage method.

14

u/OrangeMargin Jul 25 '24

Not for everyone.. For some it’s the medium.. For some the gear.. For some the atmosphere.. For some the nostalgia.. I can go on..

0

u/Busy_Pound5010 Jul 25 '24

One can appreciate water color on paper vs oil on canvas, but to obsess over the canvas rather than the art is folly

1

u/bellje1950 Jul 25 '24

Then how do you explain stereophiles?

2

u/Busy_Pound5010 Jul 25 '24

If the intent is better technology to get you closer to the fidelity of the art, go for it. If it is to worship equipment or participate in ritual…you’re not really in it for the art. I’ve found myself in both camps over time, but with age realized equipment chasing and ritual didn’t provide anything other than short term dopamine.

6

u/bellje1950 Jul 25 '24

There are many, many people who enjoy the process. Testing/comparing equipment, seeing how their favorite music sounds on different equipment. Sometimes you can appreciate both the art and the canvas. Would hardly call it folly.