Which is better, vinyl or CD?

[Deja Q]

Both vinyl and CD are composed of petroleum compounds.

For that alone, not to mention that CDs will last a hell of a lot longer than vinyl (no needle slowly grinding down the surface), the only reason why I see vinyl making a comeback is because the oil barons are manipulating the market. There's more petroleum in a record than there is in a CD.

[Colin Ex]

1. I'm married to the beat, and committed to the wax.

Vinyl kicks ass.

-C

[Kahuna]

2. Cd is very overrated. It's also much too fragile...

I have both. I do back up my cds though.

[Droopy]

3. I think CDs are more convenient

You can only listen to a vinyl album in your home.

[IronLionZion]

4. mp3

CD all the way. You can back up and burn em as many times as you want.

I never liked vinyl.

[jimshoes]

5. Vinyl is very cool

There is just something about spinning your old albums. Kind of like taking a trip back in time. Also they seem to have more character. Same for reel to reel tapes, noise and all.

[charlyvi]

6. CD is more convenient, but

You can't match vinyl for richness of sound, when played on a good system.

[mark0rama]

7. CD, for everyday practicality...

...but then, no one would ever mistake me for an audiophile.

That said, the crackle of the needle dropping on an LP is one of the most satisfying sounds I know.

[Magrittes Pipe]

8. It is a false assumption...

...to say that CDs will last longer than records.

If you have a good stylus, and replace it often; if you handle your records properly -- vinyl albums will, theoretically, last forever.

CDs have only been in existence for 20 years -- we don't know how long they will last.

[charlyvi]

9. Right

I have "Court and Spark" (Joni Mitchell) on vinyl. It's 30 years old and sounds wonderful. CD can't match the sound.