Vinyl or CD? Another instance of one of the great questions of our time.

[Colin Ex]

Now, a little background. I'm looking at a few recordings from a German label, which I'll be forced to get through a mailorder because my local indie record store doesn't have a connection to them, either directly or through a distributor. (I went there and asked and they told me I was SOL.)

So, now I'm looking at these. Two 12" EPs and an LP, or three CDs. I've heard the LP before, but neither of the EPs (and frankly, they're a cheap investment, really -- I really dig light electronica and really enjoy what I've heard by this band).

The big question: Do I order it up on vinyl, or compact disc?

Pros of vinyl:
Looks wicked awesome
Attracts hot scenester girls
Sounds sweet

Cons of vinyl:
Won't fit in a dorm room well
I have a shitty turntable

Pros of CD:
Easy to play
Easy to store
Still sounds pretty good

Cons of CD:
Doesn't attract hot scenester girls so much, unless it's local band demos
Small pictures

What do you guys think?

[Nevernose]

1. Order it vinyl

Burn it to disc.

[DBoon]

2. Vinyl!

No copy protection, no digital rights (mis)management.

Vinyl lasts a loooong time. Old Edison cylinders from the 1890's can still produce music.

Plus, take it from me, twenty years from now you will look at your vinyl collection with fondness and still be able to play it. CDs have a limited lifespan.

[jpgray]

3. In my view, it's like the Sistine Chapel

Some people find the ostensibly 'clean' and 'more accurate' version less exciting and organic than the 'dirty', 'accident of the medium' version. The work of art underneath it all is still basically the same, however. It's an imperfect analogy, though--Rembrandt for example would take exception to all this talk of some 'Night Watch' painting. :D

[madrchsod]

4. vinyl

unless it`s the cheap records from the early-middle 70`s. turntables are cheap,carts are whats expensive-ebay for good deals, good set of small speakers, and a decent amp/preamp ..no metallic sounds or clipped frequencies
oh yes album covers are fine pieces of art for a dorm room

[SlavesandBulldozers]

5. whichever brings the scenester girls

the naughty ones with the black-frame glasses that talk about bands youve never heard of.

Oh Yeah. Go Vinyl.

[jpgray]

6. Such as... these two?

[Colin Ex]

7. Those would be the ones.

I'd like to show the one on the right my vinyl collection. Yow.

-c

Edit: These must be the sexy librarians the Lounge is talking about. :-)

[HornBuckler]

8. Anyone That Tells You Vinyl Is Better Is A Douche

Sorry, It's True - CD Reproduces The Exact Recording - The Way The Artist Intended. If You Like The Hiss And Bump More Power To You, However, CD's Are The Definitive Way To Listen To Music (I Know Of No Vinyl Recorded In 5.1) Oh, BTW, You Can't Listen To LP's While Driving :)

[HornBuckler]

9. Vinyl Is A Movement Not A Message

It's All Hogwash - Cd's Are Superior In Quality And Durability - Oh Yeah, And They Sound Better Too.

[LastDemocratInSC]

10. Hey, it's not vinyl vs. CD, it's tubes vs. semiconductor

Regardless of your source, consider a good old MacIntosh tube amplifier - not only will it warm your room and provide a seductive red-orange glow in the corner, the little glowing filaments in those pointy tubes will make any woman horny. Trust me, I know (cough-cough).

Also, isn't it every American man's right to have 700 volts of DC available to his beck and call? Little old semiconductor amps barely even need more that 12 volts DC. What wimps.

[DBoon]

14. Yeah! Tubes Rock!

http://www.geekculture.com/geekculturestore/webstore/tubesrock.html

[PittPoliSci]

11. CD

Quality over scene whores.

I like music LOUD and the quality beautiful.

[Loonman]

12. Both

CDs to listen to, vinyl for posterity.


Cognizent "hipness" is tedious.

[BiggJawn]

13. Shellac.

Shellac's where it's at.

Unfortunately, the catalogue is somewhat limited.....