What's your audio system like?
- Thread starter ViRedd
- Start date
Father Jack
Well-Known Member
we're a dying breed there ViRedd.
I love my vinyl and I love 2 channel stereo....but I can't afford tubes. The only tube gear I have is an old tube tuner. Sounds much sweeter than SS tuners that I've listened to.
I have made the jump to surround sound lately after many years of holding off. It does make TV sound better and works well for most DVD's. I built it piece by piece so I could maintain my 2 channel setup without compromising sound quality.
There is some good digital media to be found if you look for it. maybe not as good as a well recorded analogue media...but pretty damn nice. DVD_A is getting very good as well as SACD. Of course you need more gear to hear these high resolution formats...but worth it in the long run.
Just don't ever ask me to play a fuckin MP3 on my system...thats blasphemy.
Drink!
I love my vinyl and I love 2 channel stereo....but I can't afford tubes. The only tube gear I have is an old tube tuner. Sounds much sweeter than SS tuners that I've listened to.
I have made the jump to surround sound lately after many years of holding off. It does make TV sound better and works well for most DVD's. I built it piece by piece so I could maintain my 2 channel setup without compromising sound quality.
There is some good digital media to be found if you look for it. maybe not as good as a well recorded analogue media...but pretty damn nice. DVD_A is getting very good as well as SACD. Of course you need more gear to hear these high resolution formats...but worth it in the long run.
Just don't ever ask me to play a fuckin MP3 on my system...thats blasphemy.
Drink!
UnEmploymentDude
Well-Known Member
I enjoy both, I've learned to get with the times and adapt. But I still love analog, its just beautiful.
Wavels
Well-Known Member
I love my cds...I respectfully disagree with Vi...I hate, loathe and detest vinyl......
the pops and sputters and crackles annoy me beyond reproach.
How can Louis Armstong's Hot Fives sound good on vinyl?
Artie Shaw is much better on remastered cds than on any vinyl I have ever heard. Art Tatum on an LP....no thanks...too many pukes and pops and sputters for me!
Vacuum tubes are all well and good, but the source for me has to be digital!
Father Jack is spot on regarding SACD and DVDA!
MP3s are a disgrace!
Although I would like to park myself in front of Vi's stereo and see if he can change my mind!!
the pops and sputters and crackles annoy me beyond reproach.
How can Louis Armstong's Hot Fives sound good on vinyl?
Artie Shaw is much better on remastered cds than on any vinyl I have ever heard. Art Tatum on an LP....no thanks...too many pukes and pops and sputters for me!
Vacuum tubes are all well and good, but the source for me has to be digital!
Father Jack is spot on regarding SACD and DVDA!
MP3s are a disgrace!
Although I would like to park myself in front of Vi's stereo and see if he can change my mind!!
Father Jack
Well-Known Member
Wavels....you obviously have never sat in front of a well maintained...well built analogue system. If you take care of your LP's...then the pops and crackles are not there.
If you happen to live in a large city...try and find a high end audio store...and tell them you are looking into a vinyl setup and you want to audition a table or two. Sit yourself down and get enveloped in a true analogue sound. You don;t tire of listening to the music over a long period of time like you do with cd's. It has been proven many times that listening to a digital format is tiring for the ears.
NOw I could be saying this all in vain...as maybe you are one of the folks that doesn't have an ear for sonics. I have freinds that come over and couldn't tell if I had the radio on or an SACD....it's not everyone that can hear the difference.
I'm not saying my ears or other audiophile ears are so good we can hear grass grow....but you must have the ability and appreciation for fine musical reproduction. CD's have come along way....but take a look around the high-fi world. You may question why there are more turntbale and turntable accessory manufacturers than there was in the 70's, which was the hayday of vinyl. Mind you the analogue stuff being made now is higher end quality...cause thats where the difference is. You're not gonna hear a huge difference hooking your Techinics TT up to your One box Surround system you bought at Best Buy as opposed to hooking a TT up to a system made for playing music instead hosting a light show on the front panel while trying to pump out some sound through an amp that has a power supply the size of a cell phone.
Drink!
If you happen to live in a large city...try and find a high end audio store...and tell them you are looking into a vinyl setup and you want to audition a table or two. Sit yourself down and get enveloped in a true analogue sound. You don;t tire of listening to the music over a long period of time like you do with cd's. It has been proven many times that listening to a digital format is tiring for the ears.
NOw I could be saying this all in vain...as maybe you are one of the folks that doesn't have an ear for sonics. I have freinds that come over and couldn't tell if I had the radio on or an SACD....it's not everyone that can hear the difference.
I'm not saying my ears or other audiophile ears are so good we can hear grass grow....but you must have the ability and appreciation for fine musical reproduction. CD's have come along way....but take a look around the high-fi world. You may question why there are more turntbale and turntable accessory manufacturers than there was in the 70's, which was the hayday of vinyl. Mind you the analogue stuff being made now is higher end quality...cause thats where the difference is. You're not gonna hear a huge difference hooking your Techinics TT up to your One box Surround system you bought at Best Buy as opposed to hooking a TT up to a system made for playing music instead hosting a light show on the front panel while trying to pump out some sound through an amp that has a power supply the size of a cell phone.
Drink!
country cowfreak
Well-Known Member
Father Jack,
I agree with you on the days of analog and vinyl. I remember getting an album and admiring the art work the went into the album cover. I have three kids and they had seen the old turntable and album and asked what they were, and I laughed and told them that is what we call old time CD's. They couldn't believe that is how we listened to music. Unfortunatley much of what I have now is MP3's and CD's
, but on the up side my kids now have all of the Guitar Hero installments so they jam out to much of the classic rock that I grew up with in surround sound...a concert everyday.
I agree with you on the days of analog and vinyl. I remember getting an album and admiring the art work the went into the album cover. I have three kids and they had seen the old turntable and album and asked what they were, and I laughed and told them that is what we call old time CD's. They couldn't believe that is how we listened to music. Unfortunatley much of what I have now is MP3's and CD's
, but on the up side my kids now have all of the Guitar Hero installments so they jam out to much of the classic rock that I grew up with in surround sound...a concert everyday.
Wavels
Well-Known Member
Well, Father I frequent many audiophile shops and have listened to loads of setups. ( I live in a major megalopolis)
I am a music junkie. I like more acoustic natural music---Jazz and Classical.
My problem is, I always hear MORE distortion (pops) etc from the vinyl on any system and esp. on headphones. I listen to mostly older recordings and for me, vinyl is unacceptable. Loud raucous rock and other amplified music of newer vintage is not my preference.
CDs played thru analog vacuum tube amps do sound warmer and less harsh...but it is the popping and hiss (on all of the LPs I have tried) during quiet passages that makes me nuts.
This is an interesting thread.
Besides my understanding is that an LP is only "good" for about one hundred plays or so before it degrades??
I am a music junkie. I like more acoustic natural music---Jazz and Classical.
My problem is, I always hear MORE distortion (pops) etc from the vinyl on any system and esp. on headphones. I listen to mostly older recordings and for me, vinyl is unacceptable. Loud raucous rock and other amplified music of newer vintage is not my preference.
CDs played thru analog vacuum tube amps do sound warmer and less harsh...but it is the popping and hiss (on all of the LPs I have tried) during quiet passages that makes me nuts.
This is an interesting thread.
Besides my understanding is that an LP is only "good" for about one hundred plays or so before it degrades??
Wavels
Well-Known Member
My curiosity was aroused because after I responded to the good Fathers post, I realized that I had not sat down and listened to a high end turntable and amp demo in about five years or so.
I searched google and was surprised to see how contentious and fierce this debate still is.
There are valid points made on both sides of this issue.
Some of the information I came across has motivated me to go out and demo some high end analog tube amps and preamps and the aforementioned dreaded turntables.
It seems that some progress has been made in eliminating surface noise inherent in any physical contact source; in the past I have found that this surface noise detracts from my enjoyment of the music. Any improvement in warmth or gooiness was offset by the hiss and pops.
I love my DVD-A discs and I thought that this improvement in digital sound would forever keep me away from vinyl.
Looks like I could be wrong. I am going out next week and checking out what is currently available.
Considering that I have not splurged on any new toys for myself yet this year I’ll see if I can find something to blow a wad of cash on.
After all, you can’t take anything with you when you croak!
I searched google and was surprised to see how contentious and fierce this debate still is.
There are valid points made on both sides of this issue.
Some of the information I came across has motivated me to go out and demo some high end analog tube amps and preamps and the aforementioned dreaded turntables.
It seems that some progress has been made in eliminating surface noise inherent in any physical contact source; in the past I have found that this surface noise detracts from my enjoyment of the music. Any improvement in warmth or gooiness was offset by the hiss and pops.
I love my DVD-A discs and I thought that this improvement in digital sound would forever keep me away from vinyl.
Looks like I could be wrong. I am going out next week and checking out what is currently available.
Considering that I have not splurged on any new toys for myself yet this year I’ll see if I can find something to blow a wad of cash on.
After all, you can’t take anything with you when you croak!
iblazethatkush
Well-Known Member
You should of just titled this thread 'Who's an old motherfucker' haha J/K
I don't know what the hell your talking about, though, sounds like your talking a foreign language.
I don't know what the hell your talking about, though, sounds like your talking a foreign language.
t0k3s
Well-Known Member
haha kids these days.j/kYou should of just titled this thread 'Who's an old motherfucker' haha J/K
I don't know what the hell your talking about, though, sounds like your talking a foreign language.
you should check into vinyl.
Father Jack
Well-Known Member
Funny. One of my daughter(11 yrs old) had a freind over the other day, and her parents came in to meet me...my daughters freind couldn't wait to pull her parents into my living room to show them all my "OLD CD'S" pointing at my record collection. I had a good chuckle at that one.Father Jack,
I agree with you on the days of analog and vinyl. I remember getting an album and admiring the art work the went into the album cover. I have three kids and they had seen the old turntable and album and asked what they were, and I laughed and told them that is what we call old time CD's. They couldn't believe that is how we listened to music. Unfortunatley much of what I have now is MP3's and CD's
Most people today...including my wife say they understand how a cd player gets the music off as disc to play...but they can't figure out how in the hell you get sound off a piece of plastic with a needle riding in the groove. LOL.
Drink!
Father Jack
Well-Known Member
Now there's a man with an open mind. Don't be afraid to check out the VPI tables eh.My curiosity was aroused because after I responded to the good Fathers post, I realized that I had not sat down and listened to a high end turntable and amp demo in about five years or so.
I searched google and was surprised to see how contentious and fierce this debate still is.
There are valid points made on both sides of this issue.
Some of the information I came across has motivated me to go out and demo some high end analog tube amps and preamps and the aforementioned dreaded turntables.
It seems that some progress has been made in eliminating surface noise inherent in any physical contact source; in the past I have found that this surface noise detracts from my enjoyment of the music. Any improvement in warmth or gooiness was offset by the hiss and pops.
I love my DVD-A discs and I thought that this improvement in digital sound would forever keep me away from vinyl.
Looks like I could be wrong. I am going out next week and checking out what is currently available.
Considering that I have not splurged on any new toys for myself yet this year Ill see if I can find something to blow a wad of cash on.
After all, you cant take anything with you when you croak!
And see if they have any Zappa records while you're at it as it seems your a fan. You can actually hear Frank's lips smaking as he talks as the Central Scrutinizer.
Drink!
FilthyFletch
Mr I Can Do That For Half
Ahhh music systems.It all depends on what your using it for and if its home or portable. I have a n indie music lable and own a small studio.I keep old stuff and new stuff around to fit what I want the music to be finished as. Tubes do offer that fuller richer warm tone to the music. Digital has a place but isnt my favorite format as the reason it sound so clean is that whne digitally recording the process remove small bits of sound that whne recorded is filter or removed to fit the digital format and file size you setup. Vinyl is the best sounding music you can still get.I dont know how being a loui Armstrong fan you could even consider listening to it in digital format. When recording for cds we have to actually add the needle noises to get that feel.We also still press vinyl singles for Djs as it may not be top technology the true pur djs like real tuentables and not the new usb digital tables hooked to alaptop with a digitial playlist.I still even play tons of cassettes which I love. cds killed off the retail music business by making reproduction to fast and easy to do so even though Im in the music industry I do no sympathisis to the labels as they did this all on there own. But for the best sound for things like blues, jazz, hip hip, and soul music vinyl cant be beat.I have an old tube amp player in my basement the floor models that had a flip top then the record player and the am/fm radio in it. You turn it on an watch the orange glow of the tunes as they warm up. I also have my standard technique 1200's at the studio and love to listen to both.I also have used for Adat format and even use our old 1/4 inch reel to reel for certain sounds.Its all a preference to if your a purist who loves the real full warm sounds of music or a new tech audiophile who doesnt care for accuracy but more in digital clearaity
Father Jack
Well-Known Member
^^^ I think I got through your post FilthyFletch...I just couldn't concentrate with that avatar of yours calling my eyes every two seconds.
Nice to hear that some folks in the industry still understand the difference in analogue and digital. Most people don't understand that even the highest bit rate digital recordings(DVD-A, SACD) are not true representations of the original sound. All digital is recorded like every other computer file...on off...on off....no matter how many times a second(bit rate) the recorder does it...it's not the exact same as the music being played. The computer has to guess what the sound was at every interval when the bit rate was off.
Now when mp3's are recorded...over 80% of the music is taken away to compress the file...then when it's played back...the computer(player) has to guess what all that information was that was removed before compressing. Thats why they sound so damn shitty.
There are lossless compression programs...but of course they are not the mainstream...as the buying public doesn't care much for quality. They just want the single song from an artist,...no matter how much it's compressed...and they don't care about the rest of the album....full length lp's will be gone soon, as people lose their attention span.
Drink!
Nice to hear that some folks in the industry still understand the difference in analogue and digital. Most people don't understand that even the highest bit rate digital recordings(DVD-A, SACD) are not true representations of the original sound. All digital is recorded like every other computer file...on off...on off....no matter how many times a second(bit rate) the recorder does it...it's not the exact same as the music being played. The computer has to guess what the sound was at every interval when the bit rate was off.
Now when mp3's are recorded...over 80% of the music is taken away to compress the file...then when it's played back...the computer(player) has to guess what all that information was that was removed before compressing. Thats why they sound so damn shitty.
There are lossless compression programs...but of course they are not the mainstream...as the buying public doesn't care much for quality. They just want the single song from an artist,...no matter how much it's compressed...and they don't care about the rest of the album....full length lp's will be gone soon, as people lose their attention span.
Drink!
FilthyFletch
Mr I Can Do That For Half
Music is a lovely lady but like real women sometimes they are made up but the true underlying original isnt what you get...
NewEnglandPotriot
Active Member
I'm back after doing my first grow of a skunkberry plant from Peak Seeds this spring. I did a grow journal back then, maybe I'll take a few pictures this time too. I'm doing a few skunk plants from them now. Anyway I started reading again to see if I can get a bigger harvest this time.
Anyway I'm into tubes too. I build tube audio stuff from kits as a hobby, and the sound is definitely more 3-dimensional with tubes--it wraps around you like you're listening to a hologram. Vinyl can increase the effect for sure, though a crappy record is no fun for anyone. I think part of the enjoyment of listening to music on a hi-end system depends on how something was recorded. I listen mostly to jazz, which is usually pretty well recorded, even stuff that's 50 years old--you can be completely fooled by a well-done mono recording and think it's stereo. It doesn't seem like most music these days is very well recorded, so what you play it back on doesn't even matter much--as long as there's plenty of thumpy bass and etched highs. When the guitars have that much distortion in the sound, what difference does it make if the stereo isn't very clean sounding anyway? I also listen to tons (about 2,000 hours' worth) of Grateful Dead bootleg CDs and tapes, but the sound is iffy on that.
For a good time, go to Youtube and search "pat martino john scofield" and pick the tune Sunny. Pat's ferocious.
Anyway I'm into tubes too. I build tube audio stuff from kits as a hobby, and the sound is definitely more 3-dimensional with tubes--it wraps around you like you're listening to a hologram. Vinyl can increase the effect for sure, though a crappy record is no fun for anyone. I think part of the enjoyment of listening to music on a hi-end system depends on how something was recorded. I listen mostly to jazz, which is usually pretty well recorded, even stuff that's 50 years old--you can be completely fooled by a well-done mono recording and think it's stereo. It doesn't seem like most music these days is very well recorded, so what you play it back on doesn't even matter much--as long as there's plenty of thumpy bass and etched highs. When the guitars have that much distortion in the sound, what difference does it make if the stereo isn't very clean sounding anyway? I also listen to tons (about 2,000 hours' worth) of Grateful Dead bootleg CDs and tapes, but the sound is iffy on that.
For a good time, go to Youtube and search "pat martino john scofield" and pick the tune Sunny. Pat's ferocious.
Father Jack
Well-Known Member
How true. Most popular cd's are recorded with all the levels punched to the top...and they think thats the way to record.
There are some really nice sounding cd's out there..no matter what your taste is. Check out the new Mobile Fidelity discs...for one. Most stuff that is engineered by Steve Hoffman is excellent as well. He uses all old Marantz Tube gear to re-engineer old music from the master tapes.
If you can get your hands on a few of the old DCC discs...you're in for a treat. Not all are great...but some are outstanding.
Drink!