Bass better on vinyl compared to CD?

[brawndolicious]

I was in the library today and I went to the audio/visual section out of boredom and for some reason they have a vinyl collection.  I tried some of them out (Thriller was the only one I had time to listen through) and the bass definitely just sounded better for some reason.  Anybody here think the difference is big enough to buy a vinyl collection?

[Rman]

I thought, and I'm not trying to sound insulting, that it was common knowledge that LPs have superior sound quality over CDs?  I'm no audiophile, so I'm not totally sure either.

[Powerslave]

never heard a LP in my life 

[TakingBackSunday]

Yeah, it's pretty well known vinyls have better sound quality overall.  It's really apparent with drums and bass, yeah.  On vinyls they sound much deeper and pronounced, while on CDs nowadays they are eclipsed by shitty quality and higher volumes of the other shit going on.

[Mupepe]

I thought, and I'm not trying to sound insulting, that it was common knowledge that LPs have superior sound quality over CDs?  I'm no audiophile, so I'm not totally sure either.

since viny's are analog, they are able to record the entire signal instead of parts

cd's being digital, only record the music in frames, so it is missing parts of the sound.  it just done really quickly so it's not noticed by most.

[brawndolicious]

I thought the bass advantage also came from the vinyls being analogue but wikipedia shows that it's actually a harmonic distortion artifact on the record.  I actually think that's why it sounds so awesome.  It's not the type of effect I could care for if I was playing games or paying attention to something else but it'd be awesome for parties or something.  I'm wondering if it's actually realistic these days to get the equipment to play vinyls considering all the ones on ebay are around $100.  and then of course, you only get the most special albums in vinyl, and I have no idea how many modern records (like within the last 15 years) you can get.

also bear in mind I was using headphones so I have no idea how much this effect comes through on normal speakers.

[The Sceneman]

yep shit does sound meatier on vinyl

[Powerslave]

what about modern day record players? Surely they must be better than cd players.

[Eric P]

I thought the bass advantage also came from the vinyls being analogue but wikipedia shows that it's actually a harmonic distortion artifact on the record.  I actually think that's why it sounds so awesome.  It's not the type of effect I could care for if I was playing games or paying attention to something else but it'd be awesome for parties or something.  I'm wondering if it's actually realistic these days to get the equipment to play vinyls considering all the ones on ebay are around $100.  and then of course, you only get the most special albums in vinyl, and I have no idea how many modern records (like within the last 15 years) you can get.

also bear in mind I was using headphones so I have no idea how much this effect comes through on normal speakers.

depends what you like

most indie stuff sees vinyl release.  in europe if not america

i'm mildly bitter about having to import With Honors by the Foo Fighters to get it on vinyl

[Cormacaroni]

never heard a LP in my life 

You're not missing that much, honestly. i had hundreds of the fuckers and i hated them even back then. They scratch within instants, are seemingly magnetic to dust and hair and other crap, all of which sticks in your needle, which sounds shit once it wears down AND damages the record, and on top of all that, you have to pull out of your sexfriend mid-shag to turn the fucker* over. Not to mention, no random play, no playlists etc etc etc. Anyone who prefers records is a nostalgic fool who doesn't really listen to a lot of music. They'd rather sit with a coffee table book full of cool album covers than spend all day making the perfect playlist.

*the record that is. Ahem.

[Powerslave]

^but still......ya know

[TakingBackSunday]

never heard a LP in my life 

You're not missing that much, honestly. i had hundreds of the fuckers and i hated them even back then. They scratch within instants, are seemingly magnetic to dust and hair and other crap, all of which sticks in your needle, which sounds shit once it wears down AND damages the record, and on top of all that, you have to pull out of your sexfriend mid-shag to turn the fucker* over. Not to mention, no random play, no playlists etc etc etc. Anyone who prefers records is a nostalgic fool who doesn't really listen to a lot of music. They'd rather sit with a coffee table book full of cool album covers than spend all day making the perfect playlist.

*the record that is. Ahem.

But, you know, they sound better.

[Cormacaroni]

BrandNew -

Yeah, maybe. but not on any 'hi-fi' i could afford back in pre-CD days. Vinyl in general is played on high-end DJ decks today, and you can bet those guys take better care of their records than I ever did. I think this plays a large role in fostering the view that records are superior. To me, hearing the likes of Led Zeppelin on CD after listening to it on scratchy old vinyl for years was a revelation. I still have the vinyl itself but will never go back to it.

I guess record covers do make a better joint rolling platform than CDs as well. But now we're stretching things a bit.

[TakingBackSunday]

That is true.

[Eric P]

well you can cut coke better on cd cases, so it all balances out

[Mupepe]

I thought the bass advantage also came from the vinyls being analogue but wikipedia shows that it's actually a harmonic distortion artifact on the record.  I actually think that's why it sounds so awesome.  It's not the type of effect I could care for if I was playing games or paying attention to something else but it'd be awesome for parties or something.  I'm wondering if it's actually realistic these days to get the equipment to play vinyls considering all the ones on ebay are around $100.  and then of course, you only get the most special albums in vinyl, and I have no idea how many modern records (like within the last 15 years) you can get.

also bear in mind I was using headphones so I have no idea how much this effect comes through on normal speakers.

I was talking abut better sound quality in general.  It comes from vinyl being able to play the full wave length.

And Cormacaroni is correct.  vinyl technically sounds better, if you're not counting the obnoxious skipping and Vinyl Exclusive (TM) sound effects.  I'd rather have crystal clear music.  And this is coming from a guy who owns 200+ vinyls.

And pretty much all new releases can be found on vinyl.  You just have to order them.

[T-Short]

 

[Mupepe]

I'll take pics of my setup when I get home

[brawndolicious]

yeah cormac, this is the type of thing that I would imagine the modern vinyl fan would take out once in a blue moon.  but is the bass effect noticeable on speakers versus headphones?

[hyp]

damn i was s'posed to take pics of my setup too -- for Rman

soon!

[Mupepe]

yeah cormac, this is the type of thing that I would imagine the modern vinyl fan would take out once in a blue moon.  but is the bass effect noticeable on speakers versus headphones?

Yes.

[brawndolicious]

thank you.

[Smooth Groove]

Vinyls still sound better but CDs have come a long way.  Also, SACDs almost sound as good as vinyls.  

If you want quality sound, just buy better speakers.  If you're using at least CD quality , the source isn't anywhere as important as the equipment.

For example, a high end system w/ a regular Dolby Digital soundtrack would destory a low end system w/ an uncomprssed PCM soundtrack.  

[DJ_Tet]

Vinyls still sound better but CDs have come a long way.  Also, SACDs almost sound as good as vinyls.  

If you want quality sound, just buy better speakers.  If you're using at least CD quality , the source isn't anywhere as important as the equipment.

For example, a high end system w/ a regular Dolby Digital soundtrack would destory a low end system w/ an uncomprssed PCM soundtrack.  

Interesting.  I was planning on upgrading my receiver first, but you're saying the money would be better spent in speakers first.  Is there a speaker more important than the rest (like center vs sub) or would you suggest upgrading all 5.1 speakers at once?  I have an onkyo home theater in a box btw.

[Smooth Groove]

Vinyls still sound better but CDs have come a long way.  Also, SACDs almost sound as good as vinyls.  

If you want quality sound, just buy better speakers.  If you're using at least CD quality , the source isn't anywhere as important as the equipment.

For example, a high end system w/ a regular Dolby Digital soundtrack would destory a low end system w/ an uncomprssed PCM soundtrack.  

Interesting.  I was planning on upgrading my receiver first, but you're saying the money would be better spent in speakers first.  Is there a speaker more important than the rest (like center vs sub) or would you suggest upgrading all 5.1 speakers at once?  I have an onkyo home theater in a box btw.

Front Left and Right speakers are by far the most important.  Just buy a high quality pair first if you can't afford to buy 5 good speakers and a sub. 

And yes, speakers make a much bigger difference than receiver.