Old and new

I am responding to the flurry of messages extolling the virtues of analogue vinyl discs. I basically do not miss that era other then the fun of collecting LP’s in the early years of stereo when every new issue- Klemperer, Karajan, Ansermet, Solti, etc.- were analyzed and decisions to purchase, on a limited budget, was part of the fun. Choices were very limited in these early days as record companies were busy trying to build their catalogues of the mainstream works.

I have memories of the ritual of carefully placing a vinyl disc on a precision engineered turntable, costing a small fortune, carefully queuing the tone arm (plus dust bug) on the groove and rushing back to my favorite armchair. Digital technology has changed all that as it has photography. No more dark rooms and developing baths!

Since acquiring an IPOD, I have found an innate satisfaction of having a large record library in the palm of one’s hand. There is a “beam me up Scotty” feel about it. The ability to scroll tracks, albums, composers, shuffle etc. at the touch of a dial is somehow satisfying. I have also found that I am increasingly making use of earphones. The quality from 128 kbps ripped CDs is acceptable on earphones but, less so when played through a decent Hi-fi installation. A rate of 320 kbps or other system, is recommended to best reproduce the original CD.

The inherent pursuit of convenience will continue on relentlessly.