by L.A.C

Created on: November 03, 2009

Back at the start of the 1990's, during the period where I was being sucked into the digital revolution like most others, I went into a reputable hi-fi shop in order to buy myself a replacement stylus for my fairly modest record player (I decided I wanted to keep my steadily growing vinyl collection concurrently with my slowly increasing CD collection). The enthusiast (I am reluctant to say salesman, because he was much more than that) persuaded me to listen to one of their top notch turntables before replacing my rather disappointing looking stylus. I spent at least an hour auditioning it (the rather unfortunately named Little Pink Thing made by the even more unfortunately named Pink Triangle) and was hooked immediately. During the course of this experience, he advised me that, once I had got into vinyl reproduction via a good source, I would never return to CD. Although I was impressed with what I had heard, I treated this last comment with a degree of scepticism. However, how right he was! Twenty odd years later, after increasing my vinyl stash about tenfold, and upgrading to a Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace in the last few years - I am now more into vinyl than ever.

The comparison to CD's is just, well.... there is none! The dynamics are so much wider, the sound so much warmer and the listening experience so much better and more rewarding. I remember my eldest Brother pouring scorn on my choice throughout the 90's, but look how vinyl has easily outlasted its digital counterparts. This is not co-incidence, not nostalgia, it's for a reason. New pressings are up dramatically, on both new and re-issues - and that's allowing for a worldwide recession. Yes, it's probably more of a niche market and we will never get back to the volumes sold before the 80's, but vinyl is here for quite some time yet. The only down side as I can see, is the space required to house it all! Also, I have just moved house and I can tell you boxes of vinyl are bloomin' heavy! But these are small prices to pay. Oh and I am not single by the way (lol) and no she's not a vinyl widow ha ha. It is also quite interesting to see how a new generation is intrigued by the format, emphasised by the fact that many acts popularised by the younger demographic insist on their new songs appearing on 7 single, many going on to become very collectible items.

Yes, I believe vinyl will be around for some time yet.

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