General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: God turntables sound freakin' good [View all]Elwood P Dowd
(11,443 posts)and pops. Unlike you, I learned how to take care of them 45 years ago. About 35 years ago I purchased a VPI Record Cleaning Machine and made them even better.
As for digital vs analogue debate, I also own hundreds of CDs and have tons of songs on my laptop and iPad. Also have a nice CD rig that cost close to $1,000 -- nowhere near the best but better than what most people have. For critical listening I still prefer vinyl. CD and computer music is for background or just playing some tunes while reading, doing house chores, entertaining friends, or surfing the 'net.
Finally, every audiophile I know that listens to and prefers vinyl does so not because of what you call "hipness" but because of the sound quality. They don't give a shit about "hipness" or cosmetics or status or what people think about them.