Convince me to restart my analog journey

Rawlit · Feb 7, 2024

A year ago I had to sell my whole system, now slowly rebuilding it. As a first step and due to space constraints, I've now a decent digital front end.

I do miss the magic of analog sound, and wanted to know if there’s a way of getting back into analog without having to build my records catalog from scratch, which I had to sadly sell.

Is there a service that allows “borrowing” vinyl records?

So that I can listen and either keep or give the record back?

I’m based in GA, USA

thanks all

jeff1225 · Feb 7, 2024

Buy a good record cleaner and spend time in thrift stores. Many fantastic records that are $1 and just dirty.

Ron Resnick · Feb 7, 2024

Why restart analog? This is why:

You . . .

Rawlit said:
miss the magic of analog sound

That is the only reason you need.

thedudeabides · Feb 7, 2024

Why should anyone convince you of anything regarding music sources and quality? Seems to me that is entirely up to you. Good luck.

leyenda · Feb 8, 2024

stay out.. why get back in

bonzo75 · Feb 8, 2024

Only reason: it will allow you to one-up digital folks for the next ten plus years on threads that crop up every week

Al M. · Feb 8, 2024

Rawlit said:
A year ago I had to sell my whole system, now slowly rebuilding it. As a first step and due to space constraints, I've now a decent digital front end.

I do miss the magic of analog sound, and wanted to know if there’s a way of getting back into analog without having to build my records catalog from scratch, which I had to sadly sell.

Is there a service that allows “borrowing” vinyl records?

So that I can listen and either keep or give the record back?

I’m based in GA, USA

thanks all

Per your thread title, it seems you already have convinced yourself.

Kingrex · Feb 8, 2024

I would not do it for the sonics. I would do it because you like to touch the media and read the sleeve. Because you enjoy seeking out quality pressings. As in, understand the labels, pressing plants, year of production etc. If your into the "Hobby" of vinyl, then go for it. Just my opinion.

keithc · Feb 8, 2024

Following.
Maybe your journey will inspire some of us to go deeper in our vinyl rabbit hole.

Another Johnson · Feb 8, 2024

Lot’s wife was told not to look back, but she couldn’t resist.
You have been warned.

thedudeabides · Feb 8, 2024

Ron Resnick said:
That is the only reason you need.

I do admire your dedication to analog but you are so blind when it comes to the practical / reality based implications for this OP.

bonzo75 · Feb 8, 2024

Rawlit said:
I do miss the magic of analog sound, and wanted to know if there’s a way of getting back into analog without having to build my records catalog from scratch, which I had to sadly sell.

Analog is about the records - good records. People won't lend you quality records, it is too risky.

Analog is not about the gear - that is the easier part.

Another Johnson · Feb 8, 2024

FWIW, regarding the OP, libraries used to lend records. I’ve not seen this in many years. What I remember is that many patrons had nasty “needles” and poorly set up cartridges. So after a few plays on such gear, the grooves were plowed into oblivion and even a record cleaner was of no help.

Honestly, if I’d sold off my record collection, I would not be trying to rebuild it. Way too much work and expense. My most prized records are for all practical purposes irreplaceable.

Doc76 · Feb 8, 2024

I have extremely good digital (streaming and CD), but at the end of the day it still doesn’t match my TT for excellence in sound. Vinyl places me closer to the actual venue. The singers and instruments “feel” and “sound” more real. On a great table vinyl is mind blowing to me.

A vinyl rig takes more care, which I actually enjoy, but the rewards come ‘for me‘ in the ultimate reproduction and enjoyment of the music.

But this is all subjective. Others enjoy different flavors of Hagen Das. I suggest going to a friend‘s home who has both a properly set up Highend digital and vinyl system. Listen to the same tracks on both digital and vinyl. Then just listen, listen, listen. Weigh the sound and the work it takes to get it - and since you owned vinyl before you are familiar with much of this already. Then IMO you will be making a more informed decision.

Most of all, enjoy the Journey!

jeff1225 · Feb 8, 2024

thedudeabides said:
Why should anyone convince you of anything regarding music sources and quality? Seems to me that is entirely up to you. Good luck.

If it was up to him, he wouldn’t have posted.

Solypsa · Feb 8, 2024

Rawlit said:
As a first step and due to space constraints, I've now a decent digital front end.

Setting aside what you had and looking forward:
1) Are you the kind of person that could be happy with say 25-30 tightly curated analog albums? Or would it need to be 100+? ( considering you have digital for 'everything'...)
2) Space constraints... How does this affect media storage allocation?

Could be tape is an option if you would be happy with a small collection of media....

Catcher10 · Feb 8, 2024

Send me your credit card and I'll get you started on a nice vinyl collection.......

Rawlit · Feb 8, 2024

Solypsa said:
Setting aside what you had and looking forward:
1) Are you the kind of person that could be happy with say 25-30 tightly curated analog albums? Or would it need to be 100+? ( considering you have digital for 'everything'...)
2) Space constraints... How does this affect media storage allocation?

Could be tape is an option if you would be happy with a small collection of media....

I had about 500 records, all hand picked and some of them extremely rare, it was a necessary and painful decision to sell. Now I don’t have the space and time to restart, I was hoping there would be a way of lending records these days, although I understand the consumable nature of analog defeats the purpose

superelmar · Tuesday at 10:30 AM

I'm in the same boat, don't want to regret sell my collection, but... times are changing. I'd be more than satisfied finding something close by 90% of vynil sound without all the hassle and not spending what my volkswagen costs.

CJmooney · Tuesday at 12:54 PM

Another option would be to find some high resolution digital rips of vinyl. They will get you in that 90% range of quality if done right. Michael Fremer has ripped vinyl for years. I've also ripped several hundred of my favorite vinyl cuts over about 10 years, and can play them from my Aurender internal hard drive. Yes, it is special when I pull out the original album, but my best rips are awfully close to the original. When the time comes when I'm unable or unwilling to play vinyl albums, I will have a nice "best of" vinyl rips to enjoy. Just a thought.

Convince me to restart my analog journey

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