Do many people find themselves prefering to play their Split Enz albums via old LPs rather than CDs? Most of the time convenience wins and I'll just play the CDs but if I'm having a night in or something I find that the vinyls have a warmer feel to them.

I would if I had Split Enz LPs.

I might if I owned a record deck.

And still had all my vinyl.

Can't say I miss it that much though. For me it would just be a nostalgia thing, rather than an audiophile thing (though I would like to listen to Time & Tide again on vinyl...)

One thing I do sort of miss though is that I know where the break between side 1 & side 2 is on all the albums. Without A Doubt - Crosswords; Marooned - Frenzy... I still think of the albums as 2 sides & have my favourite sides. I often find it's harder to get into complete albums these days without that break in there.

I still do pull out my lps from time to time and I agree, for me, it's definitely a nostalgia thing as opposed to a quality audio thing.

It just *feels* different.

For me (One of the Enz vinyl nerds here...)

If I just fancy listening to something, anything, or I want to just check out a song, I listen on my iPod (from the CDs).

If I specifically feel like listening to a certain album, it has to be the vinyl. The feel, the ritual, the warmth of the sound (it's partly an audiophile thing, but not completely), and the fact that the CD mastering was terrible. And also because they were originally listened to on vinyl. The thought that in 1975, Mental Notes was someone's favourite album, and they put it on the turntable, all adds into the enjoyment for me.

Apologies to anyone who feels that i've been harpin' on about this same subject for years.

I agree Iarla. The CD mastering was terrible. Second Thoughts and Time and Tide in particular sound better to me on vinyl.

Strangely enough, the vinyl of Temple of Lowmen sounds much better than the CD to me......

And I agree about the ritual side of things, it's nice sometimes to actually have to flip the disc over.

Camus, You're dead right about that TOLM LP, whatever way it was mastered for vinyl, the mixes sound so much clearer and full of life. Listening to "In The Lowlands" on headphones from the LP is heaven for me, especially considering TOLM is my by far and away favourite CH record. I have a sneaking suspicion that the TOLM CD vs. LP thing might be something to do with the type of ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) used when mastering the CD version. I'd still be inclined to think they still weren't much cop in the mid to late 80's. They've certainly improved beyond belief since then anyhow.

Yet another nerdy engineer spouting session from meself.

Anyone who doesn't believe us about TOLM, I guarantee you if you play a new\good condition copy on a decent turntable with a good stylus on it, with the headphones on, and compare it with the CD, you will begin to hear backing vocals on "Better Be Home Soon" that just don't seem to surface on the CD.

To bring things back on topic (This is the Enz forum after all), I remember hearing Time and Tide on vinyl for the first time, in a little record shop in Dublin (Having had the terrible terrible CD version for about 5 years before), and I was blown away. I'd read you guys talking about the Time and Tide record sounding so much better, but I hadn't anticipated the difference. I bought it straight away (Also because it came with the free Frenzy LP) - and thus started my Enz LP collection (I did have the UK Mental Notes (ST) before that now that I think of it). I actually don't think I've listened to T&T on CD since, and it's certainly one of my fav Enz albums, so it gets played a lot. Well, it did. Sadly, all my LPs are still back in Ireland. The one thing I do miss.

Tracking down a decent vinyl copy of Time and Tide is something I've been doing for a couple of years. Haven't found one that doesn't have loads of ingrained dust or very scratched. The CD sounds like some sort of stereo widener was used, the vocals in particular are very indistinct. I remember Jaffa mentioned in another thread what actually happened with that album.

Funny you should mention In The Lowlands, that's the exact track I was thinking of. And we agree as to why TOLM sounds better too Bring on the nerdy engineer spouts, it's great. I bore people to death with music theory here

I actually have a still factory-sealed copy of Time & Tide! Although I already had a copy I got it to get the A&M Frenzy so if you're interested I could sell it to you for, say... �5 sterling? That is if you have the nerve to take of the original shrink wrapping (I couldn't dare!).

It surprises me about TOLM sounding better on vinyl - but I suppose CDs were still new then so that could explain it. I imagine getting a copy would be quite difficult though - although all four studio albums were released on vinyl only the first is widely available. I think I've seen a 'Try Whistling This' LP as well but I might just be making that up. I doubt that if it does exist it would improve upon the CD mastering.

As far as I'm aware - TWT was released on CD,Tape and MD only.

What i'd really love is "FINN" on heavy 180g vinyl. But that ain't gonna happen...

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004WP8Q/qid=1114597777/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_11_7/026-2030234-0175602

There it is on Amazon so I assume there are some floating aboat the place.

... Rushes to all the online resellers instantly looking for a copy!

Well I've got OK Computer by Radiohead on vinyl (and Iarla, its heavy thick vinyl too) and it wipes the floor with the CD. Cost 20 pounds though. I've also got Boys for Pele by Tori Amos on vinyl, which doesn't hold a candle to the CD. I don't know if it's still true but certainly up until 2000 most albums in the UK were released on CD and LP, so I'm not surprised Try Whistling This is on LP. Iarla if you buy it, let me know how it compares, I'd be interested in getting it myself.

Well I would like to get the Second Thoughts LP someday because I love the cover art so much. Of course, I already have it on cd, so that might be a little superfulous. And I need to remember to pick up Time and Tide next time I'm at the record store in Little Rock, they had 3 copies the last time I was there and I'm sure it was cheap. I just love missing out on good opportunities!

hi all - long time ..

so did anyone ever find TWT on vinyl

the amazon page is still up there - i have searched the online world high and low , even tried to ask Peter Green about it (he just thought i was mad) - never found anyone who had even seen a copy never mind owned. sigh.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004WP8Q/qid.../026-2030234-0175602

i'm here to represent the great unwashed masses.

most - not all - of the differences that the audiophiles hear between vinyl and cd are wasted on me. i always knew, for example, that T&T didn't sound as good the first time it was released on cd as it did on vinyl but it didn't bother me enough to play vinyl. i don't doubt you're right, but the distinction doesn't make a critical difference to me. i'm too much of an "ease of use" guy.

it won't surprise me if less than 5 yrs from now, people will be playing cassette walkmans and rediscovering that the tapes sound better than ipods. they're welcome to mine...

Nick Hamblin wrote:

quote:

Do many people find themselves prefering to play their Split Enz albums via old LPs rather than CDs? Most of the time convenience wins and I'll just play the CDs but if I'm having a night in or something I find that the vinyls have a warmer feel to them.

Yes.

I was listening to See Ya Round just yesterday and decided to do it on vinyl. I love the richer sound of the songs on vinyl (or at least that's how they come across to me).

I didn't know TWT was available, or had been, on vinyl. That's my next mission in life.

Imagine Road of Raratonga on vinyl - awwwwesome.

I think if I were to ever discover TWT on vinyl,I would be a melted puddle on the floor

I LOVE my records, only wish the turn table I have would work with the speakers I have since my stereo decided to cark it

I must admit, I don't own a turntable either, though someday I hope to remedy that situation. (Space, I need space!) I love old records. I love playing them, holding them, just being around them. Some people work as librarians because they love being around old books. I love being around old records and would be more than happy working in a 2nd hand music shop. If only it payed as well as personal training (sigh!)
Also true about the side1, side2 thang. I believe that albums produced before the CD era were made to be played in 2 installments.

I found the Corroboree record at my grandmother's house and bought a turntable (a very cheap one with tinny speakers...) just to listen to it. I then managed to find True Colours on vinyl on ebay and bought that and my other grandmother found my aunt's old Crowded House record in the cupboard and gave it to me.

I love the sound of vinyl. It seems so much more real than the remastered versions of songs.