.mp3 vs. digitizing the analog

[Raven]

I have a fairly large number of LP's, 45's, 12 inch singles, and even one 16 2/3rpm record. I also have a handful of pre-recorded cassettes, but I always tried to avoid that format. I have rebought some as CD's but most will never have a CD release. It can also get quite expensive to rebuy everything that can be.

I have decent quality turntables (2) and cartridges. I have digitized some, and I know I can use FLAC to not lose any quality. But this is an arduous task I may never bring to completion.

To save labor, if I buy (to the extent possible) .mp3 files, preferably >=160K, how would the quality compare to the DIY approach? Is this a shortcut worth taking, or am I better off continuing to trudge my way through the black discs? (BTW, I have not checked how much is actually available as .mp3. I know I could still be left with DIY.)

 

[yepimonfire]

any compression means loss in musical data, i would personally not use anything but lossless. or better yet, just listen to the vinyls

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a fairly large number of LP's, 45's, 12 inch singles, and even one 16 2/3rpm record. I also have a handful of pre-recorded cassettes, but I always tried to avoid that format. I have rebought some as CD's but most will never have a CD release. It can also get quite expensive to rebuy everything that can be.

I have decent quality turntables (2) and cartridges. I have digitized some, and I know I can use FLAC to not lose any quality. But this is an arduous task I may never bring to completion.

To save labor, if I buy (to the extent possible) .mp3 files, preferably >=160K, how would the quality compare to the DIY approach? Is this a shortcut worth taking, or am I better off continuing to trudge my way through the black discs? (BTW, I have not checked how much is actually available as .mp3. I know I could still be left with DIY.)

What's wrong with the pleasure of playing LPs? They are very long lasting and with good equipment and care, they sound just fine after a large number of playings.

If you do archive use a loss less system, to CD spec at least.

I have a large LP collection and have committed few to hard drive.

 

[lsiberian]

I like the idea of backing them up and capturing them for portable use. There are a systems out there capable of this, but be prepared for some work in getting it dialed in.