Vinyl Asylum

Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

Return to Vinyl Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback

199.10.28.20
Posted on March 21, 2017 at 09:58:42
magiccarpetride
Audiophile

Posts: 1523
Joined: March 31, 2010
 I have yet to meet a person who, upon listening to the same track on LP and then on CD, would exclaim: "These two playbacks sound EXACTLY the same!" (providing, of course, that the LP is in tip top shape, no pops and clicks, minimal surface noise). I would venture out to say that pretty much anyone can easily hear the difference in sound quality between LP and CD playbacks (all other things being the equal, of course).

This being the case, I now wish to ask you to provide a description of how does LP playback sound to you when compared to CD playback. I'm not aiming at ascertaining which format is better or worse, or which format is more realistic etc., merely trying to get a feel for how people experience two formats, in terms of attributes. What I'm looking for is descriptions such as "LP sounds like eating a messy burrito, CD sounds like eating a bucket of caviar."

OK, let me go first:

- LP sounds like driving a speedboat, CD sounds like enjoying a cruise ship

Your turn...

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
Two words..., posted on March 21, 2017 at 10:17:03
ASHRA
Audiophile

Posts: 4141
Location: Philly
Joined: March 28, 2004
 Tactile and palpable. For me it's also ritual. The anticipation of the needle hitting the vinyl is greater than that of the laser reading the '1's and '0's. Sound is vibration and I get that with my vinyl rig. Just my humble opinion/impression!

Still spinnin'...

;^)

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 21, 2017 at 10:53:29
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 LP sounds more lifelike and digital sounds more like a reproduction.

 

What's the point?, posted on March 21, 2017 at 11:09:50
mr.bear
Audiophile

Posts: 4167
Joined: November 13, 2001
 I don't recommend vinyl to anyone looking for breathtaking sound. I have about as many CD's nowadays as I have records; breathtaking moments populate each species about equally. Those moments arise from great performances, great recording, great mixing and mastering, and overall love of the sound. It's much less due to the flavor of plastic. Heck, half of of my rekkids is below average anyways!

With all my respect to the Original Poster- I think that VA has somehow slipped its focus gradually from folks who regard vinyl as a deep hobby interest to folks who regard it as a groovy urbanite's alternative to digital. Bear resists sweeping generalizations but offers the following sweeping philosophical B.S.(Bear-S*, that is):

The echoes of the horrified reaction on the part of the deep-vinylists to the horrid sound of early CD's/players seems to tickle the fancy of the urbanite faction. That era is largely passed. Through it all, I kept listening to vinyl because I own thousands of records. I kept waiting for digital sound to get better and it has- a win/win!

 

RE: What's the point?, posted on March 21, 2017 at 11:40:16
ASHRA
Audiophile

Posts: 4141
Location: Philly
Joined: March 28, 2004
 I can attest only to the sounds of my rig. I have not had as much of an interest in hi-res digital playback due to my vinyl investment and yes, funds. I have a substantial CD library with some great sounding CDs but am not drawn to it as much as my vinyl. Being a tactile person with not so young eyes (and ears), vinyl and it's sound, art and packaging floats my boat.

I envy that you have been able to develop your digital to your satisfaction. Enjoy!

Still spinnin'...

;^)

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 21, 2017 at 12:19:08
billo
Audiophile

Posts: 324
Joined: June 7, 2002
 Digital sounds great for five minutes. Analog sounds great for five hours.

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 21, 2017 at 12:40:35
Jim Treanor
Audiophile

Posts: 2167
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: June 1, 2003
 LP is a Hasselblad 500C, CD a View Master.

Jim

 

RE: how about this..., posted on March 21, 2017 at 12:51:14
user510
 ...Since your system description indicates no turntable, perhaps you might take the plunge on your own then report to this forum your own thoughts. That is what most of us have done.

-Steve

 

RE: how about this..., posted on March 21, 2017 at 16:57:38
magiccarpetride
Audiophile

Posts: 1523
Joined: March 31, 2010
 - LP sounds like driving a speedboat, CD sounds like enjoying a cruise ship

 

Similar conclusion to the speed boat analogy, posted on March 21, 2017 at 17:07:50
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15167
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 Here is my analytical interpretation of what I hear. I even have a few CDs that I enjoyed very recently as well as LPs, to make the comparison fair.

To me, CD gives a bunch of sounds or tones. Their timing is very important in order to convey sonic events. At best, their timing is pretty good and they portray a reproduction of the event that happened.

LP, on the other hand, is very much a matter of events being given in succession. This sounds more like the real thing, which is a series of events that happened in time. Things seem to happen quicker.

Technically speaking, it must be the bandwidth limitation of redbook CD, and I would expect that high sample rate systems can eliminate this timing ambiguity that I seem to detect. However, if it gets converted to redbook, that information is immediately lost.

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 21, 2017 at 17:18:44
dean_martin
Audiophile

Posts: 1747
Location: lower alabama
Joined: January 26, 2006
 LP sounds like the lobby of an opulent hotel. CD sounds like the morgue in the hospital's basement.

 

Lp is physical reality; CD is virtual reality (nt), posted on March 21, 2017 at 19:02:52
user510
 nt

 

All differences I attribute to the different equipment, and recordings. The rest is in one's head., posted on March 21, 2017 at 19:50:21
3+4=5
 I do have a slightly more sophisticated TT setup than my CD. (like double the cost)
So vinyl does have a tiny edge over my digital... if I would care about it.
I do not.

I marvel at the mental gymnastics some folks go through to claim one is better.

IMO, they are just SLIGHTLY different. And the differences do not matter enough to worry about. Though reading what folks think/claim/believe is fun.

IMO the differences are about the same as differences in other electronics, or different IC.

 

Human Human wood brass air decay etc..., posted on March 21, 2017 at 20:32:25
TomWh
Audiophile

Posts: 764
Location: Tucson Az
Joined: August 7, 2003
 It is real easy if you know what singers sound like and acoustic instruments. If it take on a metallic or electronic edge well it loses the soul of the music. That being said more people like Hi Fi than real sounding music so for them the little silver thing is just fine.

The best thing about CDs was for decades it brought the prices of LPs way down. Everyone was drinking the koolaide waiting for the next perfect sound for ever. Step right up it is only a dollar!!!

I will let you guys try to figure out with words why one sounds like real music and the other sort of!!!

Enjoy the ride
Tom

 

the point , posted on March 21, 2017 at 20:44:38
hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15387
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000
 parallel recordings on cd and LP will mostly sound more alive, relaxing, and satisfying then its CD brother.

MANY recordings aren't available on vinyl and vice versa. when i already have a CD and get its vinyl equivalent, my "oh GOODY" emotion races to the front, even with discs i know to be digital originals.
...regards...tr

 

This morning, I listened to Clapton's 'Unplugged' on CD and LP, posted on March 21, 2017 at 20:46:44
vinyl1
Audiophile

Posts: 3948
Joined: October 3, 2001
 CD: Detailed but uptight
LP: Detailed and relaxed

Just my impression of two tracks.

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 21, 2017 at 22:06:56
Condorsat
Audiophile

Posts: 1909
Location: NE Ohio
Joined: January 13, 2003
 As rule of thumb ... w/ many variables, including gear chosen. Pre-recorded music only.
LP ... warm ... CD ... muscular.

Vinyl is for fun ... CD's are for ripping files.

 

Flow. Or, CD = data. LP = meaning., posted on March 22, 2017 at 03:26:42
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Digital puts my brain 'on edge'. I often struggle to see past the medium.

LP, especially AAA examples, mitigate the 'suspension-of-disbelief' barrier somewhat. That's good, as I'm into the music more than the sound (though love both).


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Your whole life is 'in your head'., posted on March 22, 2017 at 03:27:25
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 How could it be otherwise?


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 22, 2017 at 03:53:27
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 > LP sounds like driving a speedboat, CD sounds like enjoying a cruise ship

I'm trying to figure out what this means. In order to make sense of this I need to know what kind of speedboat and what kind of cruise ship. There are all sorts of different kinds of speedboats but different cruise ships are probably more similar to each other. In other words, speedboats can be small and flimsy or they can be larger and more powerful. Cruise ships, on the other hand, are generally VERY large, stable, safe, and hold hundreds of people compared to the largest speedboat, which is small in comparison and designed for a relatively short, bumpy ride.

Your description of the difference between LP and CD leaves more questions in my mind and than answers. Of course, maybe that is your intention. ;-)

 

For a vinyl forum, we sure do talk about CDs a lot., posted on March 22, 2017 at 05:57:50
Bry
Manufacturer

Posts: 5610
Location: S. Florida
Joined: July 21, 2005
 This is becoming the sort of thing where we just need to point people to an FAQ of standard answers. They're both pretty good technologies and we don't need this appearance of constant rivalry.

 

+1 with BRY, posted on March 22, 2017 at 08:26:37
jk
Audiophile

Posts: 366
Joined: October 4, 1999
 I'd say cd is good for background music, LPs are more likely to suck you into the performance and demand your attention.

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 22, 2017 at 09:52:31
magiccarpetride
Audiophile

Posts: 1523
Joined: March 31, 2010
 I used speedboat vs cruise ship analogy to try and illustrate how with vinyl (i.e. cruise ship) you get a more muscular, close to the actual action visceral experience. When enjoying a cruise ship, you're quite removed from the contact with water, so your sailing is pleasant, but somewhat mind numbing.

There is another aspect to it: digital reminds me hypertext, as opposed to regular text. If I'm reading a regular book, I usually do it sequentially. On occasion, I may skip a chapter or two, or start from the middle, etc., but that's not typically how I experience and enjoy books.

If I'm reading a hypertext document, I am liable to start clicking on links. Those links magically transport me to other parts of the digital document/book, or even to completely different digital books. That's exhilarating, as I'm now in control of the sequence and the dosage of the content I'm consuming.

But you see, with digital, I lose the organic connection with what the author had actually intended to portray. So in the end, this fast and furious digital diet, where I keep streaming and downloading and skipping all over the place, leaves me hungry and ultimately dissatisfied. That's the reason I prefer the analog, more sequential diet.

 

RE: +1 with BRY, posted on March 22, 2017 at 11:31:06
mkane77g
Audiophile

Posts: 183
Location: CA
Joined: February 19, 2017
 CD's are when I'm just too busy to flip a record.

 

+1 with mkane77g. Agree main thing about CD is 'ease of use'. nt, posted on March 22, 2017 at 17:07:21
3+4=5
 .

 

as a memory, true. in the current moment? not true. , posted on March 22, 2017 at 17:10:33
3+4=5
 I am certain that some folks think reality is only a figment of the imagination. I am not one of those folks.
It is however true our limited experience of reality exists within our mind as after the fact impressions. However the World etc, really is out there

 

RE: as a memory, true. in the current moment? not true. , posted on March 22, 2017 at 17:26:42
magiccarpetride
Audiophile

Posts: 1523
Joined: March 31, 2010
 >However the World etc, really is out there

Out where?

 

A $30 bottle of pinot noir, posted on March 22, 2017 at 18:02:52
cpielock@eaglebrook.org
Audiophile

Posts: 524
Location: western mass
Joined: May 11, 2004
 vs a fresh vintage Beaujolais. The Pinot.lp, has myriad layers of flavor while the Beaujolais is bright,fresh and fruity .

 

We are like vegetarians., posted on March 22, 2017 at 19:06:30
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 All they do is talk about meat. They make fake chicken nuggets, steak shaped tofu. I heard one comedian describe it perfectly; It's like they broke up with meat, but they stalk meat now and hang around outside meat's house to see what he's up to.

We were told CD was "perfect forever" but then CD started drinking too much and staying out late and RUSTING. So we stalk CD.

 

Headache/No headache., posted on March 22, 2017 at 19:09:35
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 With CD, I'll love it for an hour or so, then the headache starts. With LP, no headache.

Don't know why.

This is why the CDs are for background music while I do something else and the records are for listening to music and doing nothing else.

 

Okay! I see your point. Thanks! /nt\, posted on March 22, 2017 at 19:58:33
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 23, 2017 at 05:03:31
aaron8489
Audiophile

Posts: 1
Joined: March 3, 2017
 "Vinyl is for fun ... CD's are for ripping files."

I spent years ripping CD's and downloading CD's. Not to mention the time spent getting the metadata just right.

I spent more days and months trying to get a computer based audio system just right. What software to use, what DAC to buy, should I upsample?

Finally I asked myself why am I wasting so much time. I've been buying vinyl ever since. It feels like the music is first again.

 

Good one. nt, posted on March 23, 2017 at 06:09:08
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

LP=bumps. CD=pits. Either=music., posted on March 23, 2017 at 07:15:08
tketcham
Audiophile

Posts: 6701
Location: East of the 100th meridian USofA
Joined: March 21, 2005
Contributor
  Since: October 1, 2005
 Hi, magiccarpetride,

I don't notice much of a difference anymore; both vinyl record and compact disc playback setups are sounding very good these days. I just listen to the music. :-)

Regards,
Tom

 

RE: Headache/No headache., posted on March 23, 2017 at 10:03:45
magiccarpetride
Audiophile

Posts: 1523
Joined: March 31, 2010
 Comparing analog sound reproduction to digital is a layered, complex and really deep endeavour. Although there is a huge variety in the quality of the source material -- well done LPs, poorly done LPs, well done CDs, poorly done CDs, well done hi rez files, poorly done hi rez files -- I still insist that there is room for generalization. Meaning, regardless of the actual level of care taken to produce the source, one can always assign certain qualities to analog playback that cannot be detected in the digital playback. And vice versa, of course.

Let's first consider how is sound being recorded: in terms of physics, sound is a measurable vibration of air molecules. When recording it, we rely on the fact that vibrating air molecules apply pressure on the membrane in the microphone. The kinetic energy of the vibrating microphone membrane gets converted to electrical impulses. These electrical impulses travel across the wire and instigate commensurable changes in the magnetic tape.

We see from the above description that the actual sound has already been processed by electrical components. When we use the signal stored on the magnetic tape to cut the LP, we are already twice removed from the original source.

So what we call 'analog' sound reproduction is actually a degraded, derived, twice removed signal. As such, it cannot but erode the pristine quality of the original performance.

Now when we move to the digital processing, we are processing the already pre-processed, degraded signal. Now we are trice removed from the original source.

Some people claim that this third step, the third derivation (i.e. the digitization of the analog signal) can safely be ignored in terms of producing any additional sound degradation. Really, no kidding? I beg to differ. I don't think any processing step can be safely ignored. Each and every act of tampering with the signal degrades it. I'm sure many people will disagree, but I'd need a convincing example which proves that tampering with the signal is 100% transparent.

So using an analogy (how apt for us analog lovers), I could say that analog sound reproduction is like cooking a meal: we take perfectly fresh ingredients, and then mess with them, combine them in all kinds of crazy ways, add some seasoning, add oil and lard and butter, crank up the heat, etc. In the end we get something we hopefully find enjoyable.

But digital sound reproduction (following this analogy) would be like taking such cooked meal, freezing it, then chopping it up, reheating it, refrying it, shoving it into microwave oven. How can the end result be identical? There is no way!

As for taking a dig at the digital format, I think most of us tend to do it because we feel cheated by the music industry. CDs and digital wouldn't be a big deal if we haven't been force fed the phoney propaganda how LPs are dead and CDs are 'perfect sound forever'. That's the thing we resent (and we all know that music industry execs did it out of greed, because CDs are more profitable for them than LPs).

But having LPs, CDs, DVDs, blu-rays, hi rez files, cassettes, 8 tracks etc. as various formats side-by-side is actually awesome. Freedom always boils down to freedom of choice.

 

I want to help you out but I only have Lp playback system, sorry. (nt), posted on March 23, 2017 at 19:10:39
bouncy ball
Audiophile

Posts: 1221
Location: British Columbia
Joined: July 26, 2003
 .

 

OK..., posted on March 24, 2017 at 04:10:43
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 LP sounds like reclining in your favorite old chair, in your old comfortable beat up pajamas, with your most comfortable slippers. CD sounds like sitting in a modern techo-fashionable chair, dressed in you best suit and wearing new Italian loafers.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: Headache/No headache., posted on March 24, 2017 at 09:12:52
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 Excellent! If this were a regular board, that would be a sticky!

 

RE: OK..., posted on March 25, 2017 at 08:26:49
Fitero
Audiophile

Posts: 119
Location: Portland, Oregon
Joined: August 23, 2002
 This is the best description I have ever read! Excellent!

 

Perfect description..., posted on March 26, 2017 at 17:39:41
flood2
Audiophile

Posts: 2558
Joined: January 11, 2011
 Couldn't have put it better!
Regards Anthony

"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 27, 2017 at 02:17:28
gordguide
Audiophile

Posts: 302
Joined: January 20, 2002
 Ummm ... one spins clockwise and reads information from the outside band in towards the centre, and the other spins clockwise and reads information from the inside band out toward the edge?

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 28, 2017 at 23:38:13
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Okay! But, which is which? That's the real question!

 

RE: Describe differences in LP playback vs Cd playback, posted on March 29, 2017 at 18:19:13
tketcham
Audiophile

Posts: 6701
Location: East of the 100th meridian USofA
Joined: March 21, 2005
Contributor
  Since: October 1, 2005
 The LP is the one with the groove. Wait, that would make your CD-R discs an LP as well. '-)

 

Page processed in 0.059 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]