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Addition Through Subtraction

Obviously, each audiophile is different, and the answer is, "It depends."

Do you have music on vinyl, which isn't available digitally? Do you have collectible vinyl?

Of the vinyl you actually play, is that software in good condition?

In these densely-populated times, with ever-shrinking space, do you have room for vinyl?

In practice, vinyl is often the worst-sounding format. If you set aside the Stereotypical Audiophiles' pro-vinyl bias, and actually listen to what you have, you frequently find that vinyl is indeed the lowest-fidelity source.

Hands-down, the best audio move I ever made was getting rid of vinyl. Not only did I eliminate the worst-sounding format, I freed up precious space. Not only are those foul-sounding records gone, the turntable/arm/cart is gone. The phonostage is gone. The tonearm-to-phonostage cable is gone. I now have an extra interconnect, the one which used to go between phonostage and preamp. I now have two extra powercords.

And best of all, I was able to get rid of an entire audio rack. Now, the speakers finally get some breathing room, and can better keep up with the other remaining sources (which have always sounded less foul than vinyl).

One by one, my audio friends have been getting rid of vinyl. By making more room, their domestic lives have improved. And as above, that extra space means the speakers can perform better, making the remaining portion of the system sound even better.

Every week, some audiophile thanks me for encouraging him to get rid of vinyl. The typical e-mail conveys a sigh of relief. No more futzing with cartridge alignment. No more cleaning. No more getting up every few minutes to skip a song or flip the record. No more fiddling with phonostage settings.

Most of these audiophiles have dropped out, blissfully free of the SAs' vitriol and hate. These audiophiles tell me that, without vinyl, they are deeper into the music. And that is why they have been talking to me about the music itself, not audio.

However, I also know plenty of audiophiles who are deeply committed to, and thoroughly enjoy, their extensive vinyl collections, and well set-up analog rigs. These audiophiles should continue investing in, and making the most of, vinyl.

If one is not willing and able to make this kind of commitment, and if her music is available on other media, then getting rid of vinyl is often the wisest audio move she can make.

The Audiophiles' DJ,
-Lummy The Loch Monster.

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