Text and photo by Juan C. Ayllon I would be lying if I said that since downloading a slew of DSD128 albums from Native DSD Music last year, listening to quality recordings like Anthony Wilson’s Savivity --- notes hanging in the air, tickling my senses, palpable and present -- isn’t one of my sublime pleasures. Rendering it with my Lampizator DSD Komputer and Lite 7 DAC, there’s no digital hash -- just vivid, unadulterated music. And streaming high res music via Qobuz, I enjoy revisiting long lost treasures and discovering new ones -- which is all to say that I’m hooked on digital playback. But, wait, there’s more! At first, I wasn’t into the whole unsheathing, plattering and wiping down the record before lowering the stylus ritual, but in reviewing the VPI Prime Scout and the Triangle Art Hathor turntables, I’m into it. So much so, in fact, that next Tuesday, July 9th at 6:00 PM, I’m hosting an online vinyl auction in my man cave thrown by Merlin Hahn, a local guy I’d met after spotting his used record ad on Facebook. Listening to the VG+ rated The Doors Absolutely Live album I bought from him moved me; I just had to get more. Thumbing through crates of vinyl, we talked. Over the course of our conversation, he decided to advertise here and asked if I could host an auction on his Facebook page, On Demand Vinyl Wish List. I am enjoying this unexpected turn in my audio journey.
Which is it? Pushed by those who would impose their digital versus vinyl paradigm (i.e., you either really like digital or vinyl, but not both), I’m at a loss -- I like both and I’m good with that. With my system, digital playback sounds extremely good. However, vinyl playback isn’t bad, either -- actually quite amazing, in fact, when I replace my Technics SL1200 M3D turntable with a higher end review deck. Expedited by my VPI Voyager phono preamplifier, the wax can make my Usher speakers sing! So, for those whose bifurcated worldview demands we choose one or the other, I simply say, “Nah! Quality digital or vinyl playback -- I am good with both, thankyouverymuch!
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Juan C. AyllonA writer, artist, educator and owner of Prairie Audio Man Cave, he lives with his wife, Isabel (AKA Belle), and their Goldendoodle, Liam, enjoys listening to high fidelity music and all things hi-fi at their home in the greater Chicagoland area.. Archives
March 2024
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