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Re: The Differences Between Vinyl And CD [message #99652 is a reply to message #99651]

Thu, 06 August 2026 09:01

Wayne Parham
Messages: 19079
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

hurdy_gurdyman wrote on Thu, 06 August 2026 08:06

Trying to describe the difference is difficult, but I would say vinyl sounds somehow more "organic". More of a sense of real musicians, especially on acoustic instruments.

We aren't talking night and day differences here. Casual listening might not produce much difference at all. I'm talking about when you dim the lights and kick back and just let the music sink in. Vinyl just brings me a little closer to the music.

Holy smoke, Dave, so good to see you!

And I agree with you. I can hear a difference between analog and digital source material, except maybe some Blu-rays. But most CDs sound pretty good, really, and so it isn't "night and day." More like the difference between a spring night breeze and a fall night breeze. It's more of a feeling than anything else.

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Re: The Differences Between Vinyl And CD [message #99668 is a reply to message #99652]

Sat, 08 August 2026 18:03

hurdy_gurdyman
Messages: 422
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (1st Degree)

A lot depends on the cartridge used. An analytical accurate cartridge will sound remarkably like the CD. In my opinion, you might as well save some money and stream or buy the CD. I put Audio-Technica MM carts and vintage Shure carts more or less in this category. For a contrast, carts like Grado make mids lush and, to me, "real" sounding, with bass being fuller sounding, but not as taunt. Treble doesn't track quite as well, but their upgraded styli track good enough. That's why I've been a Grado fan for almost three decades or more. This difference comes through when critically listening or relaxed just soaking it up listening.

Dave

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Re: The Differences Between Vinyl And CD [message #99671 is a reply to message #99668]

Sat, 08 August 2026 21:19

gofar99
Messages: 2038
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona

Illuminati (5th Degree)

Hi, I agree the choice of cartridge and tone arm (assuming the turntable itself is good) can flavor the sound reproduced. I have the luxury of having several cartridges and turntables. The tonearms are split between Origin Live and Jelco. I tend to agree that the lower cost Grados are a bit warmer that they ought be, but the higher end ones (I use a Sonata II) don't exhibit this problem. For analytical cartridges I would list my Dynavector Ruby Karat 23MR-RS. It really has a nice sound but clearly more precise than the Grados. In between (at least in my system going from bright to warmer) The ADC XLM, Goldring 1042, Bin 215, OM30, Hana EH, and AT 33PTG II. If you really want a mono cartridge that won't break the bank I suggest the AT VM610MONO. A treasure at a budget price. Yes I know it has 4 pins on the back, but that is mostly for convenience to use with most modern stereo wired tonearms. Each has pluses and minuses. For CD and Blueray comparisons I use an OPPO83SE and a Marantz CD6007. One thing I do find is that LPs made before about 1976 are cleaner sounding and less noisy. The exceptions being recent 180 gram issues. Even then many are mastered to sound more like CDs than the originals. I have several pairs to compare and I usually think the older ones sound more like what I think the musicians wanted. Either way I always recommend that you buy or download the stuff you like.

Good Listening
Bruce

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