Quote Originally Posted by progfan
Seems like most artists are revamping their back catalogs and enhancing the CDs with better packaging/artwork, bonus tracks and hopefully better sound quality. Now I know the CDs vs. records argument has been going on for years, but how do recent remasters (or is that re re remasters) compare with LPs?? Certainly, remastered CDs sound better than the first generation discs of the 1980's, but have they caught up with the "warmth" of vinyl?

I ask because I've recently gotten back to vinyl after purchasing the Music Hall 5. It's been great listening to some LPs I'd forgotten about, but it's been quite a transition after being used to CD for a while. While I don't want to go out on a limb and say my records sound "better" than CD, they sure sound different. One thing I will say and that is I somehow feel closer to the music with a turntable than a CD player. Thoughts?
The CD remasters that I've purchased sound better than the first edition ones, as you pointed out. Actually, in a few ways, they are better than vinyl but the overall crown stays firmly with the LP. The warmth people hear with vinyl is actually the missing harmonic integrity from the CD, IMHO. I have heard LP's that overdid it, though. It's funny you ask this question now because about 2 weeks ago I purchased Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" CD remaster, a disc I've never owned. Yesterday I found a very clean LP of the same title. It was a very close call but overall, the vinyl won slightly. I doubt it's a very good disc for comparison, though.

I don't think it's at all necessary for you to get into the LP vs CD debate. It's really just a preference issue. For example, I know three recording engineers pretty well. Each of the three prefers a different medium - one CD, one SACD and one LP - and they each have good arguments for their preference. The CD guy hasn't really scratched the surface yet of SACD but expects it to be superior to RBCD. He likes the sound of vinyl but prefers RBCD because he records music with a very wide dynamic range. It's all in whatever you like. Overall, I rate most CD's as mid-fi but that's just me. Enjoy the music, with whatever medium you choose. And if you choose CD, I'd only change that previous statement to "enjoy as much of the music as the flawed CD medium will allow you to enjoy!"

Just kidding, of course!