A word of warning, about Spotify music service

**chewse** · 12th November 15, 03:11 AM

I recently uninstalled Spotify from my computer. The streaming music (as well as spyware/ads in the service) was causing my computer's performance to degrade to a point where I couldn't to any other work on my computer without long delays in response. Loading my CD on my computer to listen to works better for me.

**tundramanq** · 12th November 15, 06:22 AM

I ripped all my CD's and am still working on my LPs. I back up to DVD and pocket drive. Just the music, which took several weeks, scarfs up 8 DVDs to rip and transcribe. But keeping all the original stuff safe as the ultimate backup. My hard drive is 3/4 terabyte so that it isn't crowded. I will not upgrade to Windows 10 from 7 as Windows (universal) Media Player is not included in 10 and the available apps aren't universal ( video, audio (in several formats) and pictures ) and are not working well with W8.1 nor W10.

For the automobile, I burn my playlist onto CD and wear them out, lose'em, or give them away and burn more.

Well done audiophile LPs, many of mine are "direct to disc" - no tape mastering still sound much better that the best available PC digital software due to slow sample rates that are used. Music does not look like sine waves on an oscilloscope, but more like square and sine combined. The sample rate needs to be at least 10 times the highest audio frequency you want to record to be accurate and without creating digital artifacts that my hearing can detect with my audiophile system.

If music played at "live levels" gives you a headache, it is due to your brain trying to process non-coherent artifacts that were not present in the original live music. I was getting them with CDs and researched why.

**Roadkill** · 12th November 15, 01:47 PM

I program a radio station and all of the music is digital, but I still have a turntable in my office was a small collection of vinyl. I love the sound of it!

GG · 13th November 15, 11:10 AM

I haven't ripped my CD collection. In most cases ripping means compressed sound. It may be OK, if no other possibilities, or for music less demanding. When at home, however, I couldn’t imagine be listening to other than my original CDs. A symphony or an opera based on MP3/iPhone sound is horrible – in my ears, at least. And for operas I by all means need the booklet with the libretto.

The old sleeves for the LP’s were something very special with their big photos, but the CD-boxes are not that bad either.

One of my very first kilts, 4 yard, approx. 11 oz. PV, Holyrood tartan. The vendor doesn’t exist anymore.

I must admit that my pre-amplifier is also one of those without a remote. An old-fashioned knop on the front makes the volume control. When right, meaning the most silent passages are barely hearable, you sit down on a good chair between the loudspeakers, relax; and listen.

5 yard, 13 oz. James Morrison Kilt by Heritage of Scotland, Colquhoun tartan.

**tundramanq** · 13th November 15, 11:58 AM

GG, I rip keeping CD format. Transcribe from LP at the highest sample rate with no compression - 4X the disc storage space of CDs is required. CDA CD format to WMA computer format is "considered" lossless. My computer sound output is just another analog input to my preamp.

GG · 15th November 15, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by tundramanq

GG, I rip keeping CD format. Transcribe from LP at the highest sample rate with no compression - 4X the disc storage space of CDs is required. CDA CD format to WMA computer format is "considered" lossless. My computer sound output is just another analog input to my preamp.

Would definitely be a possibility. Does that need a special program?

**tundramanq** · 16th November 15, 04:08 AM

Ripping CDs is using windows media player set to maintain the highest or equal quality.
For the LP's I am using a Behringer UCA202 Analog to digital converter set to its fastest conversion rate and highest voltage resolution. It outputs to and is powered by a USB port. Windows has a good program called Sound Recorder, that also has settings that allow non-compression, to store the digital media in the format you choose. I read up on all these settings and did several sound tests to finally the ones that reproduce the best sound out of the equipment I have. This allows me to use my Ortofon MC20 fineline stylus cartridge and turntable and my NAD preamp for the RIAA equalization.
There are "all in one" turntables out there that output in USB digital, but I have been unimpressed and have no desire to damage my vinyl with lesser equipment.

People don't understand why we don't loan vinyl LPs but will loan CDs.