Will modern vinyl releases sound better than their CD counterpart? (1 Viewer)

NickSo · Dec 11, 2003

Title pretty much says it...

I know in the past, vinyls were always considered superior-sounding than CDs, but how bout now? Are records being made the same way they used to?

Say if i wanted to buy ELEPHANT by the White Stripes on Vinyl, would it sound 'better' than the CD version?

Thanks

Rachael B · Dec 11, 2003

Maybe, maybe not? Many of today's albums are too long for 2 vinyl sides but get squeezed on anyway. With narrower grooves to accomodate 20+ minute sides, you lose something. IMO, records sound best when the sides are about 18 minutes or less. The really good 12" singles that are usually 10 minutes a side or less are pretty awesome.

I recently bought Ryan Adam's ROCK N ROLL on vinyl and it sounds good up to an extent. It's sides are 23+ and 26+ minutes. I'm so sure that the material would sound better on 3 shorter sides. I'd call it a good sounding record but not top flite. I've heard the Stripes, seems like that's a long album too...? It could be if-y...Best wishes!

LawrenceK · Dec 11, 2003

I have Elephant on vinyl. It is a double album so there are 4 sides of music. 3-4 songs per side. Sounds pretty damned good. Taking into account the length of the songs, each side falls well under 18 minutes. I have never critically compared the two releases against each other, so I can't give a definate opinion on which sounds better, but my hunch is that they sound probably pretty identical, with the vinyl getting the edge because it is vinyl, and will tend to sound less harsh than a cd. If anything, the release is worth picking up just for the cool red and white vinyl it comes on.

NickSo · Dec 11, 2003

Thanks for the reply...

Im PRETTY sure the white stripes album is spread over two discs and four sides, but ill ahve to double check that (could be just the album on two discs, one red one white).

Anyhow, do they come from the same masters? If so, wouldnt evem a less compressed vinyl sound the same as the CD if it was from the same master?

Edit: Ah, thanks lawrence. Yeah, one of the big things about ELEPHANT was just how damned cool it looks... Theres an auction for it on ebay for a real good price, im prolly gonna pick itup

Shoaib Lateef · Dec 11, 2003

vinyl will be better, in most cases, as long as you have good equipment...

Philip Hamm · Dec 12, 2003

I have Metallica's "RELOAD" on vinyl and it sounds very good. I've made a CD of it for "portable" purposes, and from looking at the waveform it does not look to be extremely peak-limited.

On the other hand, I also got Busta Rhymes "Genesis" on LP when it came out and it sounds dreadful, I can't even get through the first song without turning it off. It is the worst pressing I've ever heard - and all four sides are terrible so it's not just a one side misprint.

You take less chances with CD.

BrentPollard · Dec 12, 2003

Concerning the White Stripes Elephant album I would guess (I don't have it yet) that the vinyl will probably sound better than cd as it was recorded and mixed using vintage analogue equipment. Having said that the cd will probably sound very good as well for the same reason.

Rob Gardiner · Dec 12, 2003

Anecdotal evidence (myself and my ex-roommate's person experiences) says YES.

Seth_L · Dec 12, 2003

Considering most new albums are recorded, mastered, and mixed digitally I'd say the vinyl is not closer to what the engineer intended you to hear. Whether you like it more than the CD is up to your personal preference.

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Will modern vinyl releases sound better than their CD counterpart? (1 Viewer)

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NickSo

Rachael B

LawrenceK

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NickSo

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