Cd sounds much better then vinyl?

DannyW

DannyW

DannyW

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Hi guys, looking for some help tonight

I own some of the same albums on cd and record, swapping inputs side by side the CDs always sound better, deeper and just sounds alive... record sounds flat and dull.. Not the rich analogue sound people brag about

Should I start by charging the stylus and cartridge?
The speed is correct and so is the weight, and my records are mint no crackles or pops
 
Technics SL-BD22 turntable
Technics SLP770 CD player
Technics su-a900 amp

Just trying a different pre amp now seems a lot better but still not as good as the cd
 
Broken Hope said:
CD is the superior format so if the master is the same then it should sound better..
Click to expand...

The music I was listening to came out on record first, then cd

I just changed to another pre amp and it sounded tons better then before..
.
Cleaned the phono connections on the A900 wth electrical contract cleaner, even inside the plugs with a mini brush, all seems good now, with the bass shaking as it should.. But on a different track now.. Think the problem is electrical related, the 2 pre amps were like night and day
 
Just tried a different album and now the record sounds better!

I'll go crawl back under my rock:rolleyes:

I see now why the vinyl vs cd debate is always un concluded
 
Sound preferences aside - and they can be a big factor in the sort of sound you're looking or listening for - then up to a certain price point it's easier to get a clearer sound from CD than vinyl. The other factor is output volume. The CD will produce a much louder sound compared to the TT when the amp volume is left in the same place. This can create the impression of a bigger and more dynamic sound from the CD.

IMO Technics makes one decent mass-market turntable - the SL1210 and its derivatives. The SL-BD22 is decent enough for what it is, but it's never going to get out of the lower leagues simply because of the cost limitations of its design. This is a plug 'n' play TT made for convenience first and sound quality second.

There is a minor upgrade path via a better P-mount cartridge and new belt which might be worth pursuing, so you're right to consider that. I see you've also experimented with a different (phono) pre-amp which can have a quite marked effect on the sound.

In the end there's a reason why specialist 2 channel Hi-Fi dealers sold (and still sell some) brands such as Pro-Ject, Rega, Dual, Revolver, NAD, Systemdeck, AR, Ariston, Linn, Pink Triangle, Thorens, Garrard, SME, Roksan, Michell and others but not Technics, Pioneer, Ion and the like. It's not snobbery but simple engineering. The purist turntables put everything in to getting as much information out of the groove as possible at their respective price points.
 
My experience is that BOTH formats can sound great. I've heard ace reproduction from each medium. The key question is what format is your music in? Personally, I have no vinyl anymore and it would be nuts to buy a turntable, only to end up with something that at best would just sound "different" to my existing digital source.
 
Did someone say vinyl?



I too like Technics. I do prefer the richer, often warmer sound of vinyl. But as said previously, there are limitations. Vinyl often needs to have all the correct equipment hooked up properly to sound good, but when right, it sounds great.

If you are just comparing vinyl on a cheap turntable to a cd on a cheap cd player, through a cheap amp and cheap speakers, none of it is really getting justice, but the CD is more likely to sound a little nicer.
 
I play vinyl, Cd's and M4A's every day and enjoy them all

Like any format you get crap recordings across all of them and others which make your hifi sing

PS the strangest thing i find about music is that even if your hifi isn't warmed up music always sounds better in the evening
 
EYEREX said:
PS the strangest thing i find about music is that even if your hifi isn't warmed up music always sounds better in the evening
Click to expand...
That's actually a well reported phenomena. Some say it's because the mains cycle is cleaner when the majority of heavy-users of industrial power are off the grid. Others suggestions range from our bio- and and circadian rhythms make us more receptive to music in the evenings; or evening light means we are more relaxed; or simply that the curtains are drawn so the room acoustics change favourably. All ideas have some merit but can also be picked apart. I wonder though if my glass of wine or beer or whisky has anything to do with it?....... Nah, that's not it.... Not it at all ;) :D
 
lucid said:
That's actually a well reported phenomena. Some say it's because the mains cycle is cleaner when the majority of heavy-users of industrial power are off the grid. Others suggestions range from our bio- and and circadian rhythms make us more receptive to music in the evenings; or evening light means we are more relaxed; or simply that the curtains are drawn so the room acoustics change favourably. All ideas have some merit but can also be picked apart. I wonder though if my glass of wine or beer or whisky has anything to do with it?....... Nah, that's not it.... Not it at all ;) :D
Click to expand...

Our hearing and perception of sound changes throughout the day as well, It's affected biologically and psychologically. It would be interesting to see what happens in nocturnal living.
 
I have a Thorens TD180 for vinyl and an Arcam CD62 for CD, into my Onkyo 616 and B&W MT1 setup, which all sits at the sweet spot of sound quality vs price before you start seeing diminishing returns imo.

I usually buy acoustic/vocal stuff on vinyl and electronic on CD....the format complements the sound for me...but the mastering makes the biggest difference really.
 
I would say if you have many records and their condition is good, it would be worth trying to listen to vinyl on a budget Project Essential 2 or Rega RP1 turntable. Between £200-£230 I think.

Condition of the vinyl is also important, as is a solid foundation to sit the deck on.

Is one better than the other? Well cost has a part to play here as does the recorded collection, a good turntable is silent, not snap/crackle/pop and can be far more rewarding than CD, but at considerably more cost. It's a high maintenance format and for some the only way to get the best out of many original records, and by original I mean genuine 60's/70's/80's sort of thing. Of course some 180gram re-issues too. Original recordings are where it is at usually.
 
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