Music on (new and remastered) vinyl

[Radio64]

Having recently got my good old 'music centre' out if its prolonged hibernation, record player included, I've been enjoying that long forgotten pleasure of 'putting a record on' ie. spinning and listening to vinyl records, with all its drawbacks and defects ..

I have also acquired a couple of 'new' vinyl records (non classical music) which are usually marketed as being 'remastered' or 'heavyweight 180 gr.' vinyl ie. updated for the discerning digital ear, while still keeping to the 'traditional' format, still with its limitations.

As a serial R3 forum lurker, I notice that most comments and recommendations focus on CD or digital formats, rather than vinyl. I was just wondering if this is because digital is considered as the perfect medium for classical (or other) music, or if classical music just isn't being 're-issued' in the new, improved vinyl format.

All (new) vinyl purchase suggestions welcome.

[kea]

This one is probably more for the likes of fhg and serial_apologist admittedly...

vanessa rossetto - exotic exit (and dogs in english porcelain once it's reissued)

I don't know of too many classical-ish artists who are releasing anything on vinyl these days.

[HighlandDougie]

New material released on vinyl does exist - as do (expensive) packages like Decca's release of 6 LPs from its big 'Decca Sound' box. Re-releases of "classic performances" on 180g vinyl aren't quite as bank-busting but they are not cheap which I suppose isn't surprising, given the high quality of the end product. Testament's current list will give you an idea of what is on offer:

https://www.testament.co.uk/shop/catalog/lp.aspx

If money is no object, JPC's list gives a good idea of the delights you can acquire:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/vinyl/theme/-/tname/klassik-auf-vinyl?expid=1231437_43962_23

I have a couple of such LPs (Michelangeli's Ravel/Rachmaninov; the Kempe/Tortelier/BPO Don Quixote) which sound great but which I rarely play in fear that I scratch them. And, lazy git that I am, it's so much easier either to scroll down the playlist on my Macbook or to put a CD in the player. But, I do have occasional days of listening to vinyl (and cursing every time the bloody belt falls off the drive). When it works, wonderful, but, like the passion for refurbished - and now-expensive - old turntables (Garrard; Thorens etc), it carries the faint tang of the geeky obsessive with too much disposable income - or am I being very unfair? Mind you, not that I'd turn down a TD160 if offered one.

[richardfinegold]

The rub is getting the music you want on vinyl. If all new releases were coming out on 180 g vinyl, and if you can afford the premium that they charge for such lps, then life is good. Most of the lps are second (or far worse than second) hand, 40 plus years old, have been sitting in garages, attics, landfills or god-knows- where for years, and sound accordingly.
A really high quality lp on a great analog set up is a rewarding experience. I am listening to Kubelik's Mahler 1 on my turntable right now and enjoying it quite a bit (this is a well preserved lp). Digital is a lot easier and less frustrating. Vinyl playback does, IMO, demand more of an investment. The quality of the turntable, cartridge, arm, and phono preamp are all important, and the more spent, the better the results. Digital playback is more asymptotic. A small expenditure can buy a terrific sounding DAC, and while more money spent will improve things, the returns diminish quickly.
Many current new recordings that are being released on vinyl were actually digitally recorded! What the heck is the point! People who swear that these lps sound better than the same recording in a competing digital format, IMO, are so addicted to the artifacts of lp playback (i.e., the sound of the stylus swishing in the groove, the pops and clicks, etc) that recorded music just doesn't sound 'right' to them unless those artifacts are present.
Audiophile magazines will routinely tout the benefits of vinyl and now virtually take it for granted that digital is inferior. They also take it for granted that computer audio will rule the world going forward, SACD is dead and Blu Ray is dead on arrival. Most of these writers don't listen to classical music and have no idea what is available for classical music lovers.

[Radio64]

Thanks for your posts and for the testament list Dougie. Not too pricey .. 20 of your British pounds seems to be pretty much the going price for vinyl these days.

JPC also interesting although Deutschland tends to be a bit dear on the p+p front.