Does vinyl sound better than CD?

Which do you prefer, the sound of a vinyl record or that of a CD? It is a topic that has spurred many a heated debate…

While we won’t argue your preference, when discussing which format sounds better from a technical perspective, there is a clear winner.

In today’s video, Disc Makers CEO Tony van Veen discusses which format delivers superior sound by addressing a number of key factors, including:

- Dynamic range
- Volume
- Bass
- Analog warmth
- Player environment
- Wear

If you’re an artist interested in sounding your best on physical media, you’ll want to check it out.

Still not sure if you want to put out your music on CD or Vinyl? Why not give your fans both!

LET'S CONNECT!

#music #independentartist #musicbusiness #tips #vinyl #musiclife #vinylcommunity #CD #DiscMakers #indiemusicminute

[philippeory]

I purchased the SONY CDP-101 in 1983, it is still in working order.
I've loved the CD format ever since and the SACD!

[sjbang]

I'm glad I ran across your video. I have nothing against vinyl, I grew up listening to vinyl. But, since 1983-84, I've gone the cd route, at first because I had no choice. Where I grew up, record stores stopped stocking vinyl records. As you have pointed out, cd's don't wear out, and they don't skip, hiss, or pop. Of course, there are faulty cd's, like anything else made in the world. Something else I like about cd's is that I can program them. If I wish to listen to tracks 1, 4, 7, 9 on a record, it's easily done. As I said, vinyl was what I listened to growing up, so I've no problem with it, what bugs me, however, is the attitude of some people, definitely not all, in the vinyl community who seem to look down their nose at cd's and those who collect them. I don't get it, but I see it. Anyway, I'm glad to know that cd's actually sound pretty good, I can rest easy now.

[cannrmleen]

"Warm Sound"
Hi everybody and thank you very much for this REALLY competent and objective explanation on that subject. Having Engineered and being present at countless Final Record cuttings since the early 70ies I can only appreciate this post. Obviously I was part of the whole Digital Recording Process as well. In addition to this post, I would like to mention the situation of the High Frequencies, which are also part of the "Warm Sound" experience. Equal to the situation of the Low End, the Analog/Tape Recordings roll off significantly at 16 KHz. Digital Conversion easily handles 40KHz and above. When we try to listen to a "Dog Whistle" which is above 23 KHz we can't hear it. However it's there and it makes us uncomfortable. In music terms high frequencies even above our hearing capabilities can be used to produce excitement. Now if we understand the limitations of the Analog Audio Recording and consequently Vinyl Sound, We can make a Digital Recording sound very, very similar to the Warm Sound of an Analog Medium. While at the beginning of the Digital Recordings, there was a well founded critic of the Sound Quality at the time.These days however our Digital Converters and the Dynamic Range have being developed to a level, very, very few Golden Years claim to hear the difference. Another Aspect would be the Phase Relationship in a Stereo Recording between Left and Right. A Vinyl Cutting won't allow "Out of Phase" music, or the needle would dive and consequently jump. Digital Recordings allows this to happen but is not pleasing (Warm Sounding) in my opinion. 
All that said, I still offer a complete Analog Chain Recording and Mixing in my Studio and I love it ha, ha, ha.... Besides to have only 24 Tracks versus 100's of tracks is very challenging and can support creativity and excitement in the Music. Good Recording to all of you ❤

[TorrentUK]

As a vinyl collector I would never say vinyl is superior to CD, because it's clearly false. So why do I collect and listen to vinyls? It's because the listening experience is completely different, you slow down, you study the album cover, the lyrics (usually present on the sleeves), or go looking for the reaper on Iron Maiden covers...it's just a very different experience when you have to get up, walk over, get the LP out, put it on, turn on your pre-amp and amp - all for a max of 20 mins of music. In fact, it's even less for me as I love 45 RPM LPs. That's why I love vinyl, but I also have CDs, Blu-ray Audio and even SACDs (which my last player that could play them broke, so haven't listened to them for a while). The only format which sucks in my opinion is cassette.

[srenkrabbe]

My experience as being a sound-engineer for 35 years make me totally agree - but I still love the LP format :-)

[georgebertozzi]

Great video. Lots of good points raised. As an owner of thousands of both Vinyl and CD and having worked in both Analog and Digital formats, I can say that there are far more advantages to Cd's than Vinyl. Even Hi-Res files are great! Your listening experience is personal but Cd's have a far greater selection of music in all decades. Vinyl stopped being readily available after the big Digital overhaul in the 90's. Cd's last longer, are portable, much quieter, you can clone them and they are far cheaper with far greater liner notes and multi page booklets.
A good DAC upgrades the CD and Remastered CD's often contain bonus tracks that cannot be fitted onto a vinyl record without badly affecting audio quality.
I love both fornats because it's all about the MUSIC, but building the mother of all Rock Collections is far better with CD's!

[mrboat]

CD was the greatest audible improvement to audio in my lifetime. Gone was the noise from both vinyl and tape. I still have the 70 main vinyl albums I always kept, have a TT and revisit them occasionally but that's about it. Now I stream mostly, Regardless, the speakers have always been the star of my audio show.

[hyperball]

The biggest selling point for me personally for Vinyl is that its a physical piece of art. You can ofcourse say the same about CD's, but as someone who listens to hundred thousands of hours to music, i caught myself really wanting to find that "one" song, play it over and over and move on to the next "one" song. The way you cant skip a song on a vinyl player (well, you can, but you know what i mean) and really appreciate the album of a artist opened my world up to appreciate music alot more. The "hunt" for certain vinyls is another big deal for me personally. I love the search and speaking to other music enthousiasts to get in contact with the one person who has the vinyl i so desperately want. You can ofcourse argue that you do the same with CD's ofcourse, but personally, it is a different experience.

[BirdYoumans]

Well done video. At about 7:30 you hit the real difference. If your LP is mastered from digitally recorded material, you will not get the sonic difference other than maybe some reduced highs. But when you master from analogue recorded material, there is a textural difference. Very subtle and would be lost on most casual listeners, but it is there. So if you are buying music recorded in the modern era, in all likelihood it has been recorded in a digital format. So just get yourself a good CD player (mp3's sound OK, but they are not CD quality) and a good system and just enjoy the music. The difference most are experiencing with vinyl mastered from digital is a lack of highs thus making the vinyl give the illusion of warmth. So a good graphic equalizer can do about the same thing. But for that small textural difference that few can hear, the benefits of digital for most will out weigh the benefit. Just my opinion of course. Having said that, I did love my records back in the day! Clicks, pops, scratches and all. Most pop and rock records don't have much dynamic range either by the time they are recorded and mastered, especially today. Orchestral music on the other hand can have a significant range depending on the piece. Oddly enough tho, orchestral music is where I noticed that textural thing I speak of the most. It's a balancing act. I like both formats for different reasons. Oh, and you are so right about the quality of the "record player".

[genelemons]

Great presentation, Tony. You convinced me that CD's have a better sound without offending my love for my 55 year collection of over 1400 vinyl records!

[anendtowar]

I tend to listen to vinyl when listening actively, cd and digital for passive listening. Both serve a valuable purpose- to perpetuate love for the beautiful gift of music!

[r.c.anderson]

Perfectly said! I have bought a LOT of vinyl records in my life.... and they were charming and wonderful in their day. In fact I have 2 Magnavox console stereos from the year 1968... so I have some vintage vinly I keep with them just to play on the Micromatic turntables. However, in 1986 I went all out and bought my first CD deck for 370. A lot of money now, but A LOT more back then.... and the reason was because I could not stand those "ticks" and "pops". So I have over 300 CDs, but now only have a couple of dozen vinyl albums and those are only for nostalgia, not serious listening. THANKS for your incredible video which gives me a TON of useful arguments why I love my CDs. Especially helpful was the reminder that if a record is made from a digital source, it can't possibly be smoother than the digital master. Makes SO much sense. Thank you!

[wiebl]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this video. Thank you for the facts explained without too many scientific jargons. This is my go-to for explaining vinyl and cds. 4 thumbs up.

[insightsouthwestenterprise]

Thanks much Tony; this confirmed what I have believed because my ears told me so. It's great to have the technical facts to support our preferences. Your video greatly appreciated!

[guillermomartin]

What I have found as a new experience with vinyl is that I feel I need to most-likely spend a lot more than I would want to get the sound quality I achieve with my digital setup. I have about a 20K digital setup excluding the amplifier and I spent roughly 3500 on a vinyl setup and I don’t feel it sounds “better” in any way, different definitely but, not better. Turntables of quality are EXPENSIVE, cartridges of quality are EXPENSIVE then you need a capable phono pre-amp for usually that moving coil cartridge to get it up to snuff.

[chrism]

I gave my nephew over 300 lps in 1990, the year I switched to digital music. I have never regretted, never looked back. I feel nostalgic for the collecting of, the jacket art etc. But, as for audio quality I’ll take cds and hi-res lossless audio every time. Good clip. Thanks

[earthoid]

You nailed the problem with vinyl: there are too many variables which can cost a lot to get right. For CD playback you do need to purchase a good DAC and then connect it to any old disc player that has a coax output. Done.

[gregbartley]

I started collecting records in 1972 and unlike many people I know from that era, I kept mine. When I play them, it’s an emotional connection. It’s like getting into a time machine and going back to that time in my life. Some of the sound quality still remains but even after thorough cleaning, there is still some noise. I have some newer records too and it isn’t as much of an issue. I also have several cd’s I started collecting when they were first introduced. I play them occasionally. But these days I’m probably 80% streaming. IMO with a good quality streamer and DAC playing full cd quality or higher. It’s a great way to enjoy music. No other format lets you build playlists on the fly. Just my .02

[roncarlson]

Aside from what you’ve mentioned, Tony, you’ve got the individual’s ‘listening ability’ for lack of a better term. As I have learned to hear more details in audio reproduction, I notice things now that I didn’t when I started listening to music. I think this adds to someone’s preferences which, as you’ve mentioned, figures into what format a person prefers. Well presented as always. Thanks!

[andyr]

I am almost 61 now, and bought a great turntable some 5 years ago after only listening to digital since 1990. Reason: It brings me back to my younger days. Pure nostalgy. Vinyl can never beat high quality digital audio when you have a good DAC. Spending several thousands of dollars on an "exclusive" turntable and pick-up cartridge is nothing but madness.