Vinyl vs Digital: Is Vinyl Really Better?
It all started on a Sunday afternoon. I dropped by the house of an older friend, a longtime audiophile. In his living room, he had a sound system with glowing tubes and a vintage Thorens turntable. On his bookshelf were dozens of old vinyl albums, some original pressings from the 70s. As someone who usually listens to digital music – lossless, hi-res, even DSD, through a good DAC – I was curious. I asked, "Is vinyl still worth it these days?"
He just smiled, not answering. Instead, he chose a copy of The Beatles' Abbey Road, carefully cleaned the disc, placed it on the turntable, and lowered the tonearm. A soft "click" sounded as the needle touched the groove. And then... "Come Together" began.
Initially, I noticed a light "hiss" in the background – unavoidable with vinyl. But as the music started, I almost forgot about it. There was something very "human" about the sound – soft mids, John Lennon's voice not overly "bright" but warm, intimate, with a slight, almost real roughness. The guitar seemed to flow from the tube amplifier. Not sharp like digital, but... slightly raw, slightly imperfect, yet alive.
Afterward, I played the same track on Spotify Premium through good headphones. Everything was clean, clear, balanced, and detailed. But strangely – the emotion felt... a little cold. It was like looking at a reproduction of a painting, while the original, though old, still held something that you couldn't take your eyes off.
At that moment, I joked, "I turned on vinyl and then opened Spotify to compare – and I feel poor." Not because of the quality, but because I realized that technology, no matter how optimized, can sometimes erase the "very human imperfection" of music.
Is Vinyl "Better" Than Digital?
Not necessarily. It's different. Digital is clean, convenient, and precise. Vinyl is warm, slow, and soulful. It's like comparing film photography to digital photography: film isn't as sharp, but those who are used to it always want to keep looking at it.
And perhaps the most important thing is: what are you listening to music for?
If you just need clarity – digital is more than enough. But if you need to feel – vinyl will give you a reason to sit down, clean the record, choose a song, and wait for the needle to drop. Slower, more effort. But sometimes, those things are a part of the music itself.
Have you ever listened to vinyl? Or do you still think it's just unnecessary romantic nostalgia? If you have the chance, try it once – not to compare, but to feel. Because you might discover that sound is not just for listening, but for remembering.
P.S. Today the admin visited a coffee shop in District 10 and accidentally saw an old turntable and tape player, so here's a nostalgic post.
Cre: By Ngoc Tran - Audio2nd
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