There is no debate that fresh ground/roasted coffee tastes noticeably better than non, and that 128kb MP3s sounds like ass :) Vinyl vs CD is just apples and oranges. I was driving down the road the other day and the DJ played "Going to California" (first time I've listened to the radio in a long time). I enjoyed it so much that I plugged my phone in and searched Grooveshark for the song, finding multiple versions. The DJ played an original master that still had the hiss of the reel audible in the background, which I was grooving on. The first track that came up on Grooveshark was a remaster that had it completely edited out. I had a visceral negative reaction. I had to pull over to scroll around and find the version with the hiss amid all the identically labeled tracks that came up.It sort of reminds me of the #vinyl debate. Does it really sound that much better than MP3 or Compact Discs?
Ha! In regards to the vinyl/coffee comparison, I was trying to point out that the "ritual" is an important aspect of the enjoyment. There aren't too many things that we do at a certain time, every day without fail but making a pot/cup of coffee is often one of them. The ritual is important, the ceremony. Same thing with pulling vinyl out of it's sleeve. You, of course, are right regarding low-quality MP3 and vinyl. As you mention, its less noticeable in person. I'm pretty sure that you've met bgood79 before at a Hubski gathering we had in Detroit. In fact, I know you did. Anyways, bgood has a kick ass, top notch sound system. While it's ideal to listen to vinyl at his house, putting on an MP3 through his system sounds pretty amazing too. Oh, and congrats on two things too: 1. finding a song you liked on the radio. 2. nuptials.
Speaking of ritual, I'm so obsessed about wasting coffee that wheneven I make it I shut off the machine after every two cups and stir the grounds with a spoon... It may sound pedantic, sure, but I can even tell the difference between a high-quality MP3 and lossless CD audio. Given two sips of any two kinds of black tea, I can immediately tell you which one has more caffeine. Same with coffee. I'm pretty weird. :)
This article further justifies my insatiable hunger for vinyl...
Thanks! Getting married was easier! Regarding ritual, I think it's nice to elevate or enhance the ones that you have to (or choose to) perform every single day, no matter how slightly you do so. Kind of has a positive compounding effect...Oh, and congrats on two things too: 1. finding a song you liked on the radio. 2. nuptials.
I once read about someone attempting to be fully present and in the moment each time their phone rang or while behind the wheel of their car. For someone like me, while at my keyboard would be a good start. But that's a great idea, easier said than done. I'll give it a whirl though, thanks for the thought.