I Don't Understand WHY Vinyl is Back I've used "VINYL" players since I was a little girl - when they were called a"victrola." From 45's to LP - I had several HUNDRED then out came the (horrible) 8-Track Player, then the Cassette player, then the CD player and NOW WHY are we going "back to vinyl"???Is vinyl "replacing" anything? Do we stop buying CD's or MP3's now? A tech update would be immensely helpful! I Don't Understand WHY Vinyl is Back I've used "VINYL" players since I was a little girl - when they were called a"victrola." From 45's to LP - I had several HUNDRED... » Read More I Don't Understand WHY Vinyl is Back I've used "VINYL" players since I was a little girl - when they were called a"victrola." From 45's to LP - I had several HUNDRED then out came the (horrible) 8-Track Player, then the Cassette player, then the CD player and NOW WHY are we going "back to vinyl"???Is vinyl "replacing" anything? Do we stop buying CD's or MP3's now? A tech update would be immensely helpful! « Show Less
1527678
It's "back" because people are realizing the quality of mp3s is plain terrible. Instead of switching back to CDs, which are a moderate improvement in sound quality over mp3s, people are going back for vinyl which is widely accepted to have the best sound. The mp3/vinyl combo may prove to be a powerful one in the coming years.
1527679
I agree with the statement that MP3's are horrible. I've tried to convert. Just doesn't happen. What I have found is that music meant for CD, sounds better to me on CD. Music initially recorded on vinyl sounds better to me on vinyl. I kept my records. But I do have an extensive CD collection. I find Vinyl at charity shops and second hand shops for as little as $.25. When buying old records, remember to look for warping, scratches, dirty patches--which may cover hidden damage--, crayon drawings (who hasn't seen this?). In other words look them over carefully.
1527680
Me being a music lover, I love to appreciate everything about an album. The artwork, the liner notes, and even the smell of a record. Vinyls are so fun to buy, especially now since you can get them so cheap. Just flipping through stacks and stacks of vinyl, coming home with enough music to last you a year, cracking open a beer, and listening to the sweet sound of analog is one of the best things in life. I also buy CD's and I have an IPod, but listening to records is a whole nother thing.
1527681
Thanks a lot for your thoughtful reply.If only I would have known - I used to have a massive LP collection.Will just have to start a new one : )
1527682
For me vinyl was never gone. I have a lot of CDs, but I also have a lot of vinlys, which I continue to listen to. Unfortunately my turntable has broken, so I need to buy a new one to replace it.
1527683
As most agree, nothing beats the sound of vinyl in good condition. You can just hear things that a CD might miss during the digitizing process. I even enjoy the crackles and pops of the record. The big kicker for me though is when you listen to a record, you listen to it. It becomes an intimate relationship from grabbing the vinyl, opening the sleeve, dusting it off and setting down that record. You can't just can't play records for hours on end w/out actual contact. It doesn't do the shuffle, repeat, forever play like cd's. It forces you to pay attention to the music. Doesn't just become background noise. Usually while I'm listening, I'm examing the cover art and sleeve notes. Just a pure love affair. As most agree, nothing beats the sound of vinyl in good condition. You can just hear things that a CD might miss during the digitizing process. I even enjoy the crackles and pops of the record. The big kicker for me though is when you listen to a record, you listen to it. It becomes an intimate relationship from grabbing the vinyl, opening the sleeve, dusting it off and setting down that record. You can't just can't play records for hours on end w/out actual contact. It doesn't do the shuffle, repeat, forever play like cd's. It forces you to pay attention to the music. Doesn't just become... » Read More As most agree, nothing beats the sound of vinyl in good condition. You can just hear things that a CD might miss during the digitizing process. I even enjoy the crackles and pops of the record. The big kicker for me though is when you listen to a record, you listen to it. It becomes an intimate relationship from grabbing the vinyl, opening the sleeve, dusting it off and setting down that record. You can't just can't play records for hours on end w/out actual contact. It doesn't do the shuffle, repeat, forever play like cd's. It forces you to pay attention to the music. Doesn't just become background noise. Usually while I'm listening, I'm examing the cover art and sleeve notes. Just a pure love affair. « Show Less
1799058
No, it's not--you can digitize your vinyl for use on your devices (basically converting the music on your records into mp3s), or just play your vinyl on old school with the audio coming through the built-in speakers. What would make it better is if it had Blue Tooth (so it could be played through external wireless speakers). But being able to capture songs from vinyl and turn them into mp3s for your devices is still pretty cool--that and the built-in speakers were all I was looking for. Hopefully this helps!
2027498
i kno this is late but im looking into this TURNTABLE/BELT DRIVE/MANUAL/CARTRIDGEi kno u should have already selected a turntable by now lol
894919
New vinyl tends to skip. Whereas the the vintage does not. Don't ask me why. BUT! Just put a dime, yes the coin, on top of the needle casing and they play smooth smooth. Hope this helps!
2139909
Am I crazy, or is it more than a bit offputting that, after buying a machine, you then have to start getting upgrades for it just to be able to play newer discs? My machine's about two years old, and the last disc I bought wouldn't load. Seems like a rip-off to me. And it's not like blu-ray sales have been strong enough to justify this sort of customer fleecing.
201577
First I would ask, "Outdated HOW?" Everyone has needs and desires. Many people want to still play CD's such as myself. So to me it is not outdated.
694547
We love this machine and are converting all our vinyl records to digital. We have not yet tried the cassette conversion, but, according to the manual, it can be done just as easily at the vinyl records. There is a cassette player in the machine, and I imagine you just change the setting from record to cassette.
1896707
Yes,they can be played on most current players reorders,just as most cd-r's can be used.I use my cd-rw to copy my old 78 records onto and then load into my 'puter.Once saved I erase the cd-rw and use it again. Useing a cd-r is much more economical then a cd-rw. Jerry McDonald
696488
From the complaints I've heard I'm wondering about this as well. But they seemed to have a launched an online version. They may have gone to services from the web. I'm not sure if it is intended as a full replacement, but I wonder what it means for me as I have my records from 1999 and want to keep it intact.
1041505
Protip: No player (as far as I am aware of) requires proprietary software.Proof? I have an iPod nano sitting on my bed, now, that has music loaded onto it, none of which was loaded using iTunes. I used MediaMonkey. If your proprietary software forces you to buy new versions of songs you already have, then scrap the software, because chances are, it's not actually proprietary.
331007
"Most music" is still on CD. You can rip to any format you want--and OGG sounds better, and of course is completely free. There are dozens of other manufacturers who support OGG. Why wouldn't I just look there instead of being coerced into ripping in an inferior format?
1397059
Thanks. Is it generally easy to swap a stylus on a cartridge between records? I know I can buy a whole new cartridge and headset, and just swap the headset every time I want to play, but I don't have the extra $$ right now for all.
1304256
Stephanie these aren't vinyl record, they are cd's that has a decorative sticker on top that looks & feels like a vinyl record. These only can be played in any device that plays cd's.
218580
Hi, Michael... I haven't played any records since I had this reciever until I read your e-mail. It took me a couple of minutes to coax my ancient turntable into playing, but it did play a record just fine... I turned the volume up to about 22 and it sounded great, and I don't have a pre-amp in my system. I hope it helps and if you buy this receiver, I think you'll be happy...we've enjoyed ours and have had no problems with it. We're not real serious audiophiles, but it does sound very nice on our CDs and radio use. Good luck...best regards... Doug in Niceville, FL
1741628
Sorry. It only plays cassettes not 8-tracks. I'm afraid in this day and age, you're going to have to do some searchingto find an 8-track player.
2001256
I think you're getting a bit too excited. All electronic products phase out for the new.The product is good in all ways. As far as accessories, it comes with an AC adapter. I got a case for it at a sound store for around $5 that works well. I bought some Sony earbuds that blow away the ones that come with it. I also bought a VRFM8 from Walmart that is an FM transmitter, to play the Zen to your car radio.The only thing I can imagine that is left is a car charger. (I just bought one on Ebay for $8. I think that's everything.) Plus, it doubles as an external hard drive for backups and such. I'm a happy camper with it. I think you're getting a bit too excited. All electronic products phase out for the new.The product is good in all ways. As far as accessories, it comes with an AC adapter. I got a case for it at a sound store for around $5 that works well. I bought some Sony earbuds that blow away the ones that come with it. I also bought a VRFM8 from Walmart that is an FM transmitter, to play the Zen to your car radio.The only thing I can imagine that is left is a car charger. (I just bought one on Ebay for $8. I think that's everything.) Plus, it doubles as an external hard drive for backups... » Read More I think you're getting a bit too excited. All electronic products phase out for the new.The product is good in all ways. As far as accessories, it comes with an AC adapter. I got a case for it at a sound store for around $5 that works well. I bought some Sony earbuds that blow away the ones that come with it. I also bought a VRFM8 from Walmart that is an FM transmitter, to play the Zen to your car radio.The only thing I can imagine that is left is a car charger. (I just bought one on Ebay for $8. I think that's everything.) Plus, it doubles as an external hard drive for backups and such. I'm a happy camper with it. « Show Less
1402635
I have not seen one of those kind of LP changers type turntables in a very long time, and this one does not have that option. You might be able to find used ones (Garrard, Scott) on ebay.