Starting a vinyl collection – is it worth it for classical music?

[cloughie]

I've only heard that once - demonstration quality Decca sound (almost Sonic Stage ) but the Dawn section seemed to be a little OTT, squeezing out every last drop of drama. I must seek it out.

Yes excellent! I've got a spare copy of it if you are interested, having got the big Cleveland box.

[Alain Maréchal]

my personal favourite, Blomstedt's first set with the Danish Radio SO, whose occasional looseness of ensemble is more than offset by a lovely feel for how the phrase and rhythm should go, the song within the symphony, that natural varying of the pulse. (I've always much preferred these classic EMI tapings to the oft-vaunted SFSO set).

I like that set, proof that the players enjoy a walk in the country. I have noticed that international conductors with a Danish orchestra in Nielsen tend to be reined in by the players' own knowledge of the scores. Bernstein's recording of Espansiva is idiomatic, apart from a rather perverse tempo for the finale, but the youtube of the concert the night before (he was receiving the Sonning Prize) is a marvel - even more idiomatic and joyous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5sbcF7p0Pk

[gmw]

I am in the position of having a quite substantial CD collection and excellent equipment to play it on. Lately though, I have been hankering after a good record deck; several of my friends have them and I enjoy the sound of them - however they do not use them for classical music.

So really I would welcome some opinions from those who may have trodden this path. There does not seem to be a wealth of new recordings available on vinyl although there are plenty of historical recording on the second hand market. Does the particular sonic quality of vinyl lend itself to classical music? Does vinyl have the detail of a good CD recording for orchestral music?

Thank you very much for all your comments. I think the strong consensus is no. I will use the money I save to buy more CD's and perhaps some new speaker cable.

[umslopogaas]

gmw, I reluctantly agree with you, though as a long-time collector of classical LPs it pains me to say so. My main reason is the lack of availability. It has become very difficult to find good material and when you do it is likely to be very expensive. Have a look on ebay; the rare examples of collectible items go for big money, whereas the majority, which are non-collectible, attract no interest.

Of course, you might find yourself in a position to acquire a ready-made collection (like mine) when the owner decides to sell it, or dies, but dont hold your breath.