Smart Home Lifestyle

April 16, 2006

Audiophiles know turntables are the only way to go

Like oil and water, audiophiles and digital music just don’t mix. It’s not that these “purveyors of perfect sound” don’t like new technologies. And it’s not that they’re stuck in the past. It’s just that true audiophiles know the real virtues of vinyl. For “better than being there” sound, audiophiles say, “Stick to the classics- a turntable and your favorite LPs.”

Turn, baby, turn

Record player systems have three parts, the turntable, tone arm and cartridge. The turntable is the plate that spins and holds the record. The tone arm is the swinging arm that holds the cartridge. And the cartridge, which contains the needle, is located at the end of the tone arm. These components can be purchased as a complete system or individually.

“Up until the 70’s, people would purchase a unit complete with a turntable, tone arm, needle and cartridge,” said Frank Goldfarb, Comtec System Design Consultant. “Once CD’s started replacing turntables, a small number of manufacturers continued to make turntables that specialized in one of the three main components. Since there is great compatibility between manufacturers, it is very easy to choose a turntable from one company, tone arm from another company and a cartridge from a third company and make it all work beautifully.”

So, what makes the sound?

The needle rides inside the record grooves and causes the arm to move in a magnetic field. This movement creates a small amount of voltage. The voltage is sent to your amplifier, which is then amplified into music. Just remember, records only utilize 2 channels, right and left, due to their analogue format, so surround sound isn’t an option.

A link to the past

Record player popularity has become mainstream recently, although they’ve had a large cult following for years. In fact, Sota (www.sotaturntables.com) and VPI Industries (www.vpiindustries.com), two reputable companies, have been making turntables and accessories for more than twenty years.

“There is a great deal of enjoyment to be had both in listening and in terms of having a link to the past,” said Goldfarb, “Especially considering you have more options to hear music that is no longer available except on vinyl.”

What about price?

Turntables pretty much fit any budget, ranging between $100 and $100,000. Sota and VPI Industries each offer options at different price points.

Just remember, a $10,000 system won’t sound twice as good as a $5,000 system. There’s that whole “law of diminishing returns” thing that kicks in around $3,000. There’ll be small improvements of sound quality, but let’s face it, most people choose the most expensive models due to their “cool factor.”

Is it worth the extra cash?

Yes, for a mid-range system costing $2,000- $3,000. At this level, expect to get a much higher quality sound production than the $100 “specials.” Think of it in terms of upgrading from a transistor radio to a mid-range sound system.

For higher-end record playing system, expect to get a 100 lb. piece of equipment that often times employs vacuum system. These vacuums hold the record flat to the platter so that warps are not audible. The record is attached to the platter and a barring system that actually floats on air or is held in place using opposite field magnetic energy

What are the virtues of vinyl?

“Ultimately audiophiles feel that the absolute sound is to be gained through vinyl more so than through digital technology,” said Goldfarb.

And sound is not all that’s gained. Digital technology is made up of bits, but these bits have gaps in between them. Analogue lacks the gaps, which means a more realistic sound. Think of music that’s played through a wooden-bodied instrument. Not only do you get the tones from the strings, but from the wooden housing, which creates a richer sound. With digital, you often loose those overtones.

Any cons?

There are a few downsides to vinyl. First vinyl can be noisy. Ticks, pops and scratches can disturb the purity. Second, records aren’t always flat. Without a vacuum system, you’ll be able to hear the warp. Finally, record players lack remote controls, making them much more labor intensive.

Next week- Where to buy records, what to look for and accessories you’ll want to have.

Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec