Disadvantages (Vinyl) - Revision history

Axon at 23:01, 29 October 2007

2007-10-29T23:01:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:01, 29 October 2007
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	* The "book value" of many LPs, representing both its collector's value and its musical value, is often quite high - anywhere from $10-$20 for either new or used LPs to over a hundred dollars for collectible LPs.		* The "book value" of many LPs, representing both its collector's value and its musical value, is often quite high - anywhere from $10-$20 for either new or used LPs to over a hundred dollars for collectible LPs.
	* LPs in general are neither overvalued nor undervalued. While they do not risk becoming worthless, they usually do not carry their value well unless certain releases become more collectible. Vinyl is not a particularly safe investment for collection or financial purposes only.		* LPs in general are neither overvalued nor undervalued. While they do not risk becoming worthless, they usually do not carry their value well unless certain releases become more collectible. Vinyl is not a particularly safe investment for collection or financial purposes only.
			* While there is some appeal in listening to older music in the format it was released under, that does not necessarily mean that one is any "closer" to the music than listening to it in a different format. Put more simply, vinyl is simply not any more of an "authentic" format than CD or MP3 by any rational measure; all evidence to the contrary is based purely on emotional arguments.
	Financially, any benefits of the cheaper media must be compared against the amortized cost of the equipment needed to play and maintain it.		* Financially, any benefits of the cheaper media must be compared against the amortized cost of the equipment needed to play and maintain it. Unless great care is taken in a vinyl investment, the cost can quickly outweigh the benefits.


	[[Category:Guides]]		[[Category:Guides]]
	[[Category:Vinyl]]		[[Category:Vinyl]]

Axon at 20:45, 22 January 2007

2007-01-22T20:45:27Z

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	* [[Surface noise]], while often inaudible, will always be present and measurable, even on a brand new LP.		* [[Surface noise]], while often inaudible, will always be present and measurable, even on a brand new LP.
	* The sound quality of a record cannot be determined until you play it, increasing the risk of the purchase. Even brand new, sealed LPs can have significant pressing and warping problems that may make it unusable for listening purposes.		* The sound quality of a record cannot be determined until you play it, increasing the risk of the purchase. Even brand new, sealed LPs can have significant pressing and warping problems that may make it unusable for listening purposes.
	* Turntables and cartridges require periodic maintenance and alignment by a professional, usually a repairman or a dealer. Otherwise you must learn how to tune a system by hand, which may require a great deal of time to perfect.		* Certain parameters of vinyl recording and playback - notably, the vertical tracking angle (VTA) and the stylus rake angle (SRA) - were never formally standardized, and vary considerably between records. Distortion from these effects is generally considered extremely audible and very difficult (if not impossible) to correct.
	* Turntables may ~~require realignment if they are~~ moved.		* Turntables and cartridges require periodic maintenance and alignment by a professional, usually a repairman or a dealer. Otherwise you must learn how to tune a system by hand, which may require a great deal of time to perfect. Maintenance may be necessary anytime a turntable is moved or reconfigured.
	* Any play of a record, even one, has the risk of permanently damaging the record. Repeated playback with an excessively worn or misaligned cartridge will cause permanent damage.		* Any play of a record, even one, has the risk of permanently damaging the record. Repeated playback with an excessively worn or misaligned cartridge will cause permanent damage.
	* Vinyl playback is not nearly as portable as other technologies. Portable record players exist, but they are considered of inferior sound quality and require a motionless playing surface.		* Vinyl playback is not nearly as portable as other technologies. Portable record players exist, but they are considered of inferior sound quality and require a motionless playing surface.
	* Investing in a high quality vinyl system is hundreds to thousands of dollars more expensive than investing in a high quality digital audio system.		* Investing in a high quality vinyl system is hundreds to thousands of dollars more expensive than investing in a high quality digital audio system.
			* Vinyl equipment reviews are notoriously biased and subjective, and it is extremely difficult to locate objective information about playback and build quality. Expect to purchase hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of equipment or features that you may not need.
	* Cartridge stylii wear out over time (typically 200-1000 hours) and require periodic replacement. High quality cartridges generally cost between $60-$6000. At the upper end of cartridge cost, playing a single LP may cost $1 in stylus wear alone.		* Cartridge stylii wear out over time (typically 200-1000 hours) and require periodic replacement. High quality cartridges generally cost between $60-$6000. At the upper end of cartridge cost, playing a single LP may cost $1 in stylus wear alone.
	* Records are large and heavy. Transporting them correctly is logistically difficult.		* Records are large and heavy. Transporting them correctly is logistically difficult.

Axon: Moving Vinyl Guide category over to Vinyl

2006-09-08T17:07:45Z

Moving Vinyl Guide category over to Vinyl

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 8 September 2006
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	[[Category:Guides]]		[[Category:Guides]]
	[[Category:Vinyl ~~Guide~~]]		[[Category:Vinyl]]

Axon: Disadvantages of Vinyl moved to Disadvantages (Vinyl): Making vinyl-related topics be a consistent format.

2006-09-08T16:59:41Z

Disadvantages of Vinyl moved to Disadvantages (Vinyl): Making vinyl-related topics be a consistent format.

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:59, 8 September 2006
(No difference)

Axon at 02:40, 8 September 2006

2006-09-08T02:40:59Z

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-Why invest in an obsolete, 50+ year old music medium?
+There are several risks and disadvantages to vinyl, compared to other (digital) audio technologies.
 [[Category:Guides]]
 [[Category:Vinyl Guide]]

Axon: Fork of vinyl introduction

2006-09-08T02:40:23Z

Fork of vinyl introduction

New page

Why invest in an obsolete, 50+ year old music medium?

* Used vinyl is often extremely inexpensive - 50 cents to two dollars a disc is common for some releases. Vinyl is a very cheap way to expand your collection in older artists that you cannot justify spending $15/CD on listening to.
* Some albums have simply never been released on CD.
* Some album art is better suited to the larger scale of LP covers and sleeves.
* The mastering of an original LP release is often considered superior to a CD remaster of the same release. This can be for any number of reasons, including:
** Increased use of compression and limiting on the CD release, reducing dynamics
** The master tapes have often degraded in the time between the LP and CD releases
** The equalization and even mixing of some CD releases is radically different than on the LP releases. For instance, many Zappa LPs have had entire drum tracks replaced for the CD release.
* Properly maintained vinyl is of a surprisingly good quality and is often not objectionable.
* It can be safely purchased as a long term investment.
** As a playback standard, vinyl has remained essentially unchanged for 50 years, and turntables will continue to be manufactured into the distant future. Unlike many digital data formats, vinyl has no risk of having no available playback devices.
** Properly maintained disc records (including both vinyl and shellac) have survived to the present day with little degredation. The long term chemical processes involved with vinyl are believed to keep it stable for 100 years or more.
** While large swings in value have plagued vinyl as collector's items, there are no long term risks to future devaluation for vinyl as a whole.
** Well built turntables should last 40 years or more and are refurbishable.

[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Vinyl Guide]]