@Former Member posted:Also vinyl has way better sound than a CD. CD's. May not contain all the pops and static noise but as a former DJ records always carried a way better sound range. I don't even want discuss mp3. Paul McCartney once said why am I going to so much trouble recording with high fidelity sound when they are going to download it in an inferior format.
@breezinup posted:(I agree on the vinyl record sound vs. CD and streaming. There's a reason for the resurgence in vinyl (and sale of turntables). Many audiophiles agree that vinyl gives a smoother sound.)
I'm trying to determine how preferences in recorded music relate to the options available and the choices we make in fulfilling our hobby.
To me the term "audiophile" implies, and has always implied, one who seeks the ultimate in sound reproduction, as close as possible to reality.
I have a problem with the CD vs Vinyl argument in today's world because neither currently delivers under this definition, although at one time each was considered as the best way to do so. Both are very old at this point, and as a result it's long past time for newer technology to raise the bar, yet there seems to be none.
Here's why: If you were to sit blindfolded in an auditorium and were played the same selection via a high-end audio system, off of Vinyl, from CD, and by a live orchestra, you could easily determine which was produced by the live orchestra.
Neither CD nor Vinyl are even remotely close to live.
Turning back to our hobby, I think from reading the comments on this thread, that we seem to agree that the quality of PWC copies, or reproductions, are as good as what was produced by Lionel Corporation originally back in the postwar period.
But, as model-train-o-philes are they state-of-the art? Can you tell them from the real thing? You have to admit that the very best 2-Rail Scale, if done well and photographed carefully, is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Think @Santiago and his CB&Q 'E' units, or much of @Norm Charbonneau's 3-Rail Scale modeling.
What do you think? Where does PWC fit in the continuum of our hobby? It's definitely a good value, but is it also more?
Mike
