Before jumping straight to the comparisons, let's first understand what Vinyl and CD. So, a Compact disc is something available in different sizes and reads nano-sized digits formatted as digital files. Whereas, vinyl or a gramophone record is analog audio storage that is available in the form of a disc with inscribed, and modulated spiral grooves.
VINYL V/S CD
Comparing vinyl & compact discs would require getting into the depth of knowing how they both work technically. But on similarity terms, both vinyl & compact disc is an audio storage device. It allows users to playback music from different timelines, ranging from old classics to classics and other modern fusions. Both are a form of rotating discs. Now, going on to the technical comparison below are some of its highlighting differences.
Encoding:
Compact discs are encoded & decoded digitally & by a laser. Whereas vinyl is analogically read by a needle.
Preference and Usage:
CDS are more preferred by professionals, playback singers, aspiring singers, & even buyers. What a few finds missing in Vinyl is the loss of data, during the conversion into digital audio. Although analog listens always go for the Vinyl format. However, there are only a handful of people who enjoy that
Customers:
The admirers of antics or sophistication would still go for vinyl, but the demands of CDS incline towards all generations who are into media consumption.
Sound Quality:
There is no denying that CDs stand out when you compare both in terms of sound quality. It also excels in terms of signal to noise ratio, as there is no hissing sound or any obstacles. But Vinyl analog provides better stereo channel separation. Where CDs tend to lack is the consistency provided by vinyl analog.
Does Vinyl sound better than FLAC?
Clear and higher sound quality has much dependence on their construction. Many take Vinyl as out-dated & old-aged. But the engineers who have worked on it convey that recording done on vinyl has unmatched quality. Whereas, the sound quality on a FLAC or a CD is more like the original unedited sound recording.
FLAC or Free lossless audio codec is far more superior than even the most accurately recorded analog signals. There is a limitation to the recordings possible on Vinyl. The exact intention of the singer may not reach the listener in the same emotions. Vinyl recordings need to be recorded step by step, after which it requires mixing and joining, creating a lossless track without any loopholes.
Another fact about Vinyl is that the sound quality depends on the speed at which the songs were tracked on the record. Its quality deteriorates every time it is played.
Well, if one goes into the appreciation of FLAC then it's boundless, the vibrations bring life to space & the stereo separation is much easier in FLAC. Vinyl's sound is dependent on its sides & the depth of its grooves. Speak of today's era of live streaming where people need wireless portable speakers, Bluetooth devices & whatnot. Vinyl stands nowhere in terms of competition with such wireless mediums of sound systems. Because there is no support for wireless playback in vinyl.
DOES Vinyl sound better than Spotify?
The popularity of vinyl can't be denied. In Vinyl, the sound waves are translated via a cutting machine. The vinyl record comes in an analog format in which audios are physically pressed to store audio information. Thus, it's well understood that its storage capacity is very limited. The vinyl records can produce varying frequencies depending on their wavelength. High frequencies have shorter waves or vice versa which requires more space to store that information.
The limitation of Vinyl has one more side. Since low frequencies & high sound requires more space, that's why it's capable of storing very limited data. Another loophole with the Vinyl record is that low frequency & high sound is missed by needle grooves to be tracked. This is because the vibrations of loud sound make it jump.
Comparing Vinyl to Spotify
Well, if one compares Vinyl & Spotify, then it's a huge responsibility as both are a bit different depending on their usage and format. There's no denying the fact that streaming via Spotify is much more affordable & convenient. While the audio quality depends upon the speakers & other such counterparts.
In today's world, people want convenience as everyone enjoys fast, loud, interference-free music and Spotify provides all of that free of cost. Spotify is an app that provides listeners with a wonderful musical experience. It even has options to create your radio stations and playlists. With that, we can say that there are people who would choose vinyl over Spotify hands-down. But, if you compare it with people who would do the same for Spotify, then Vinyl will be at a huge loss.
Comparison of Vinyl with its other counterparts
Audiophile's inclination towards LPS is less explainable. Records are noisy, fragile and expensive, and space-consuming. With so many down tracks LPs are favorable to many audiophiles. High-resolution files are better than any figural formatting.
Digital is although portable, while playback on LPs is setup-based. No doubt music sounds are played best on turntables. As emotions are conveyed beautifully. With LPs, music playback is endless, which fails to keep the listener involved. This is not the case with turntables. A listener has to be involved in putting down the needle to allow consistent payback or it will turn off automatically.
If for a second we stop focussing on the sound quality of vinyl compared to the rest of its counterparts, there is something about appearances & the feel that it exhibits. The charisma which Vinyl requires in opening the music jacket, opening the top layer of the record playing & placing the Vinyl disc is an experience for life.
It has to be done with the utmost care, dropping down the stylus & then the initial chuckle of that warn tune, that experience steals the show every time. And as we progress, Vinyl is no more a mere retro. Rather, it has become a revolutionized trend among the world of sophistication, luxury & royalty.