Does Vinyl Sound Better? CDs and Downloads Compared by an Audio Engineer

The age-old debate between audiophiles: does vinyl sound "better" than CDs or high-resolution downloads? Today, we're exploring why vinyl sounds different, although perhaps not "better" for all.
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[@materiaisdeestudos9219]

If vinyl sounded better, the music industry would use it as a master source for digital files, not vice versa.

[@secretfader]

Is anyone making the argument tape sounds better than other formats? It was the source for many years… Not that I suggested it did sound better. Just different.

[@yardleylfc]

Resonance on vinyls is so alluring and the dynamics of it.

[@secretfader]

This is exactly the point I was after. Even if the source is a modern, perhaps less-compressed digital master destined for the vinyl plant - the results will be inherent to the medium the sound is reproduced in, and in the case of vinyl, the forced dynamic requirements make it more pleasurable to listen to. Thanks for watching!

[@astolatpere11]

I have both cds and vinyl. A lot of vinyl. I find myself pulling an lp to play most often. Usually every day. I tend to be more engaged with lps. Cds sound good, are more convenient, but don't grab me. Plus the record covers are more satisfying than the little cd cases. But I'm ocd so I don't mind cleaning lps, putting em in sleeves, etc.

[@secretfader]

Exactly. I, too, find comfort in the process and routine of vinyl records. Thanks for watching!

[@petercook7502]

The quick answer to the question you used in the thumbnail headline "is vinyl better than digital" is NO.... We can now move on with life.

[@secretfader]

Maybe not technically, but there are merits as you seem to have picked up from the video. Thanks for watching!

[@yardleylfc]

In my opinion it is always down to the indiviual what sounds better. Pre 90s vinyls was lovely as the the vinyl had the analogue master copy . Now the vinyl is from a digital master mainly. However the differences are down to tasteits like swapping different synth sound when making music. 2 minute 2 sounds great, then another sounds better.. I love the spund of vinyl in many ways i prefer it. Then gowever i prefer the clean sound of mt DAC. All depends what day it is.

[@secretfader]

There are definitely records I prefer on digital, and now, that I have a set of ribbon tweeters (see the latest video featuring my Adam A7V's), I'm finding some previously intolerable productions are in the realm of enjoyability.

[@EddyTeetree]

Hi. I think the DnR of a vinyl LP is 55db-65db not 50db. What is most often over looked with this is that most music by and far is well accommodated within this range but Im glad that you voiced the compression problem with CD (which to me anyways) is a crime and causes as you also said listener fatigue. What I've never understood about "brick walling?" is why the artists comply. Imagine if fine arts painters had been told to "paint everything red it will sell more", what a f*k-up that woulda been. A red Mona lisa. A red Starry Night. Musicians should take more pride in what they create.

[@secretfader]

Theoretically, yes, that would be the dynamic range in an ideal environment. However, you’ll find that is impacted by the grounding, motor noise, bearing friction, and cartridge surface noise (which varies by calibration) and a whole host of issues. What I gave here is a measurement from the system I have, and reflects a more real world number for many folks systems. It’s mostly the labels who demand louder masters; the artists often back off when fans ask for better: even Metallica has learned louder isn’t always an improvement.

[@MD-cy6pe]

it depends on the mastering and your system but on the whole i think vinyl sounds more organic.

[@secretfader]

It’s mostly a factor of the requirement for less compression, as I mentioned. You can test this theory by getting access studio tapes from the 60s-80s; those were the source for many vinyl LPs, and still sound great when converted to high resolution digital without remastering. In fact, many recordings that weren’t “remastered” still sound better to my ear, regardless of format, due to the higher dynamic range index. Thanks for watching!

[@najadann]

"Does vinyl sound better?" How could vinyl sound better when the master tape is in digital format?

[@secretfader]

You seem to be a bit confused. Outside of DAT, tape is an analog format; and even then, it’s often limited to 48 kHz. Many digital audio workstations, and my digital studio, work at 96 kHz. It isn’t always better, but while digital formats have the ability to reproduce better, the qualities that would enable that simply aren’t used in common practice.

[@najadann]

The first recordings in digital form, were made in the mid-1970s. I haven't even mentioned all of the many disadvantages of analog.

[@scottwolf8633]

@@secretfader If your analog R/R deck is recording, "48Khz", then the low frequencies are absent.

[@nicksterj]

@@scottwolf8633 Check out Jack Endino's article on "The Unpredictable Joys of Analog Recording." He compares the frequency response curves of several pro tape decks and they are all over the map. Comparing to digital, even a cheap Sound Blaster has razor-flat FR even below 20 Hz.

[@scottwolf8633]

The DAC is an issue that must be taken into account and is frequently absent from the discussion. A Delta Sigma based converter employs algorithms that guess at what was recorded. R2R topology reconstructs what was actually laid down. Audio Note DACs forgo the active, I/V conversion process, usually via op amps, for transformers, the least compromised technique.

[@secretfader]

Correct, Delta Sigma DACs approximate sub-sample values when translating to analog (I am also an electrical engineer, so welcome to a new facet of this channel). While I agree that is a bit imprecise, how would you suggest improving on the translation in the absence of sampled data? (In this case, I used a 96kHz/32-bit floating point signal downsampled - with mastering grade dithering - to 44.1kHz/16-bit to hopefully account for some of the differences, but I doubt that is perfectly a match. Still, I doubt it is so imprecise the data in this video could be disproven with anything but hearsay.)

[@nicksterj]

Oversampling sigma-delta converters are FAR more accurate than R-2R. That's not even controversial. All converters that support "hi-res" digital are sigma-delta, not R-2R because you simply can't make an R-2R that precise.

[@scottwolf8633]

@@nicksterj Approximation vs what was actually recorded? We disagree.

[@nicksterj]

@@scottwolf8633 You only disagree because you misunderstand how they work. Sorry, but measurements don't lie! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWjGmp2CYrSXpck That said, you are never going to hear the difference between 0.0008% and 0.00025% harmonic distortion. Your speakers alone will distort the output 1000x more than that!

[@brandonchoo9764]

Vinyl sounds warm and CD sounds cold. Its that simple. Its your own preference, choose whatever format that makes your happy. 😃

[@nicksterj]

CD outputs exactly what went in. If your CDs sound "cold," it's because they were mixed that way.

[@starg47]

I prefer CDs because they're easier to handle and it's easier to deal with a CD player than a turntable which can be a hassle, I think that how well the recording is and how good it's mastered is more important than whether it's on vinyl or CD, both can be excellent for me personally, I understand that people love them for different reasons, I just can't really get into it, too much of a hassle, CDs have done right by me so far.

[@yardleylfc]

Oh the effort in flipping a vinyl. Don't get blisters !!

[@secretfader]

It makes me pay attention to the music, so I don't mind; but to each their own. Nothing is wrong, if you're enjoying the music.

[@nicksterj]

People talk about the "digital sound," but any decent converter will be audibly transparent, regardless of sampling rate (CD or higher). The added noise and distortion are negligible. The output sounds _exactly_ like the input. It's not colored at all, unlike with tape and vinyl which always have audible coloration. That's fine for people who prefer that, but unprocessed digital does not have a "sound."

[@secretfader]

Some converters do color the output but not as much as the outboard gear you’re running it through for amplification and reproduction, that’s for sure. You can reach higher peaks (and quieter valleys) in a digital master; no question. That was my main point here, but that isn’t always used nor is it always desirable for some listeners.

[@nicksterj]

@@secretfader That's why I said "any decent converter" will be transparent.

[@nicksterj]

Also when a converter has an audible effect on the signal, it's always due to the filtering and not the conversion itself. Several different DACs may use the same chip but sound different due to differences in how the filters are designed.

[@secretfader]

@@nicksterj funny how people think they’ve painted me into a corner. I’m an EE as well, so digital filters are my bread and butter. I didn’t contradict anything you said, just added more detail you obviously didn’t possess.

[@nicksterj]

@@secretfader I'm not trying to paint anyone into a corner, I'm just saying that what most people think of as the difference between analog and digital has nothing to do with being analog or digital, it's always some other factor.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

Nope. Never.

[@secretfader]

Everyone’s got their preference, but it doesn’t contain more total dynamic range. That’s a fact.

[@michaelcrawley7597]

Do you realize how disingenuous you sound not mentioning CDs?

[@secretfader]

How so? This is more concerning the comparison between formats which offer perfect digital reproduction versus a “flawed” analog format. I offered up a digital CD rip as part of the conversation, too, so nothing disingenuous here. What would you have suggested to improve the conversation?