Anyone have an analog music setup?

[Happy Panther]

Turntable. Vinyl. You know hipster?

I've always wanted to do a turntable setup and I still really enjoy listening to albums. And I bought a mid range setup with plans to upgrade the output.

My impetus here is I am one of those guys who really does think it sounds better.

I have one album but my buddy owns a record shop so that will change shortly.

Anyone else?

 

[WilmyWood]

Absolutely.  And it's a fact that records sound better, not just an opinion.  The only exception is when a modern day album is recorded in digital format (not reel to reel) and then converted to analog for a record.  So your best bet is with older (and better) artists.  Anyway, when was the last time you walked into a record shop and saw Nickelback on vinyl?  Selena Gomez?  The Beebs?  Never.

 

Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Public Enemy, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, The Pixies, EPMD, Nirvana, Hendrix.  Check!

[Still Brooklyn]

I listen to street punk, Oi!, ska, crust, and grind ... so vinyl is the preferred method. It indeed sounds great, and there's just something fun about having cool album covers, inserts, artwork, liner notes, etc. It makes music more fun, instead of just having a phone stuffed with digital files.

[Jangler]

45 minutes ago, WilmyWood said:

Absolutely.  And it's a fact that records sound better, not just an opinion.  The only exception is when a modern day album is recorded in digital format (not reel to reel) and then converted to analog for a record.  So your best bet is with older (and better) artists.  Anyway, when was the last time you walked into a record shop and saw Nickelback on vinyl?  Selena Gomez?  The Beebs?  Never.

 

Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Public Enemy, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, The Pixies, EPMD, Nirvana, Hendrix.  Check!

What's a record shop?

[WilmyWood]

4 minutes ago, Jangler said:

What's a record shop?

It's a plain record shop. The fancy ones are called Record Shoppe. 

[Jangler]

11 minutes ago, WilmyWood said:

It's a plain record shop. The fancy ones are called Record Shoppe. 

Oh yeah, I remember those places, they bought up all the vinyl for pennies and are now gone.

[Zaximus]

I have a friend who is into it.  I go record shopping with him sometimes when he goes all around to different places.   

Vinyl is booming right now.   Go to Lunchbox records in CLT on a Saturday, it's packed.  

[Anybodyhome]

This is an idea I've been toying with for sometime. To think that I had all the receivers, turntables, speakers, amps, equalizer as separate components at one time... ughhh.

But, I do still have a Sony receiver and a pair of crate-sized Kenwood speakers up in the attic that weigh about 40lbs apiece (vintage 1976- bought new in Japan). What brand turntables are you guys using and cartridges?

 

This is the store I used to hang out in. Right across the street from the San Diego Sports Arena where I saw countless concerts dating back to the days when it was "festival" seating (buy a ticket and stampede the floor as soon as the doors opened).

[pstall]

Vinyl hands down better sound. It has a viscosity digital can't touch.

[rayzor]

Vinyl has a warmth that can't be duplicated digitally.  Same with recording on a reel to reel. 

Got to take special care of it though. Here's some good advice that newbs have to be made aware of tho....

 

[Kramerica]

Yep, I'm with you there. I've been collecting new/used vinyl for about 4 years now. Right now I have Pioneer speakers and my turntable is from U-Turn:

https://uturnaudio.com/pages/turntables

^ Great product there if you're looking to buy a new one. I've been very satisfied with my purchase. It does require a receiver with Phono output, though, which was a little bit difficult to find. I was lucky enough to stumble upon one at a RadioShack not long before they went under.

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of OK Computer, so I listened all the way through on vinyl while drinking coffee and reading along with the lyrics. The sound is definitely better on vinyl, and there's a charm about taking the record out of the sleeve, making sure to only touch the edges, laying it on the turntable, dropping the needle, etc. A lot of people think it's a dumb hipster thing or too expensive, but I'm fine with that. Just do what you enjoy.

ETA: If you're in in Charlotte, definitely stop by Lunchbox for the selection, nice layout, new releases, etc. However, there's a joint about 5 minutes from there called Repo Record that's really good, too. It's not quite as aesthetically pleasing as Lunchbox, but the people are great and the selection is still pretty good.

[Anybodyhome]

Thanks for the info- like the turntable, too!

[dave-o]

I started buying albums in the early 70's as a kid and really never stopped...  Listen to at least one a night...  So yeah I have a receiver and turntable and all that....

[dave-o]

2 hours ago, Lomez said:

ETA: If you're in in Charlotte, definitely stop by Lunchbox for the selection, nice layout, new releases, etc. However, there's a joint about 5 minutes from there called Repo Record that's really good, too. It's not quite as aesthetically pleasing as Lunchbox, but the people are great and the selection is still pretty good.

I think the price's at Lunchbox are better than Repo....   But the crew that work at Lunchbox are the most unfriendly people I have ever encountered....  Personalities of a bag of doorknobs....  Dont expect the owner to welcome you or thank you for spending money at his store or the 2 goons working the counter...