Blog Post

4 Reasons Why Vinyl is a Must For Any Home Theatre System

Luisa Hough • Feb 20, 2018

After decades of being hidden away in second hand stores, basements and crawl spaces, vinyl, in all its nostalgic glory, is back! Store shelves are being stocked with records (both the oldies as well as the new stuff); and the internet is abuzz with old school “LP” love. And why not!? These are exciting times. We as a listening society have been to the edge of the musical cliff. We’ve stared into the abyss (boy bands, autotune, the Ashlee Simpson Saturday Night Live lip sync debacle etc.), and somehow we’ve made our way back.

So, for those who truly know, love and appreciate music, you have the right to rejoice! And for those of you who still aren’t convinced, here are four reasons why vinyl needs to be a foundational part of your home theatre mix:

The Sound

Vinyl sounds better, plain and simple. When you compare (on systems of similar price and scope), it’s easy to hear the difference. No, it’s not psychological; it’s not preference; and it’s certainly not the rantings of one biased individual. Rather, there is a technological explanation behind this very real truth. Simply put, digital music files are compressed (shrunken) into a format called “lossy”. The result of this process? Much of the mix is cut out and/or made to be indiscernible.

A real downer for those of us who crave the real thing.

Vinyl, on the other hand, is pressed in a format called “lossless”. Nothing is hidden, nothing is chopped; nothing is lost; rather, everything is present in it’s full musical glory. You hear the mix that the studio pros and the musicians wanted you (the listener) to hear. You hear the original vision for each song, long before the sticky fingers of modern technology stole it away.

Sweet relief.

The Story (playing a record from start to finish: it just makes sense)

Albums, even now in the digital age (but certainly for decades leading up to the digital takeover) are created to be stories; complete with a beginning, a middle and an end. Could you imagine starting a 400 page book on the 200th page? You’d be completely lost, or, at the very least, you’d miss important details that would have served to fill out the story arc.

But, this is exactly what we do when we buy a single song from Itunes or Google Music. Sure, we get a great piece of music, but we miss the story, and the experience of seeing how that song fits into the grand scheme of things. Vinyl encourages listening from start to finish. This is not only refreshing, it’s downright soothing.

The Complete Immersive/Sensory Experience

There’s something gloriously refreshing about the physical experience that a vinyl record player provides it’s user. At the beginning of it all, you to choose an album. You then remove the record from it’s cover/casing (a cover that demands your attention with eye-catching artwork and lyrics) and place it on the “platter”. You then turn on the record player, and move the needle into position. After 4-6 songs, flip record and repeat.

A complete musical experience should impact us on various levels. And, more than simply our ears, this type of listening reaches our touch, smell and vision. This is truly immersive. This is music played the way it was meant to be played.

Resale/Collector’s Options

Currently, there is a huge market for secondhand vinyl. Collectors are scouring the country-side even as you read this post, looking for that one record that they haven’t been able to find.

So, if ever you decide to sell some of your collection (if you’re downsizing or looking to swap out some of your current LP’s for different styles or genres), there are buying/selling options available to you. This is much easier than selling that song you downloaded yesterday (and by “a lot easier”, I mean “possible in the slightest”).

Now, I should say, there is still room for the conveniences of modern technology; you can’t go for a run with a vinyl record player in tow, after all. However, what I am saying is this: that there is certainly room for vinyl in the grand scheme of your home audio master plan.

Convinced now? If so, then welcome; we’ve been expecting you. Still wondering/mulling over your options (and I’m not sure how you could be)? Give it a shot. You won’t be disappointed; I promise.

Recent Posts

Bridge Financing and Deposit Lending

By Luisa Hough • 24 Apr, 2024
Let’s say you have a home that you’ve outgrown; it’s time to make a move to something better suited to your needs and lifestyle. You have no desire to keep two properties, so selling your existing home and moving into something new (to you) is the best idea. Ideally, when planning out how that looks, most people want to take possession of the new house before moving out of the old one. Not only does this make moving your stuff more manageable, but it also allows you to make the new home a little more “you” by painting or completing some minor renovations before moving in. But what if you need the money from the sale of your existing home to come up with the downpayment for your next home? This situation is where bridge financing comes in. Bridge financing allows you to bridge the financial gap between the firm sale of your current home and the purchase of your new home. Bridge financing allows you to access some of the equity in your existing property and use it for the downpayment on the property you are buying. So now let’s also say that it’s a very competitive housing market where you’re looking to buy. Chances are you’ll want to make the best offer you can and include a significant deposit. If you don’t have immediate access to the cash in your bank account, but you do have equity in your home, a deposit loan allows you to make a very strong offer when negotiating the terms of purchasing your new home. Now, to secure bridge financing and/or a deposit loan, you must have a firm sale on your existing home. If you don’t have a firm sale on your home, you won’t get the bridge financing or deposit loan because there is no concrete way for a lender to calculate how much equity you have available. A firm sale is the key to securing bridge financing and a deposit loan. So if you’d like to know more about bridge financing, deposit loans, or anything else mortgage-related, please connect anytime! It would be a pleasure to work with you.

A First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

By Luisa Hough • 18 Apr, 2024
Dreaming of owning your first home? A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) could be your key to turning that dream into a reality. Let's dive into what an FHSA is, how it works, and why it's a smart investment for first-time homebuyers. What is an FHSA? An FHSA is a registered plan designed to help you save for your first home taxfree. If you're at least 18 years old, have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and have not owned a home where you lived for the past four calendar years, you may be eligible to open an FHSA. Reasons to Invest in an FHSA: Save up to $40,000 for your first home. Contribute tax-free for up to 15 years. Carry over unused contribution room to the next year, up to a maximum of $8,000. Potentially reduce your tax bill and carry forward undeducted contributions indefinitely. Pay no taxes on investment earnings. Complements the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP). How Does an FHSA Work? Open Your FHSA: Start investing tax-free by opening your FHSA. Contribute Often: Make tax-deductible contributions of up to $8,000 annually to help your money grow faster. Withdraw for Your Home: Make a tax-free withdrawal at any time to purchase your first home. Benefits of an FHSA: Tax-Deductible Contributions: Contribute up to $8,000 annually, reducing your taxable income. Tax-Free Earnings: Enjoy tax-free growth on your investments within the FHSA. No Taxes on Withdrawals: Pay $0 in taxes on withdrawals used to buy a qualifying home. Numbers to Know: $8,000: Annual tax-deductible FHSA contribution limit. $40,000: Lifetime FHSA contribution limit. $0: Taxes on FHSA earnings when used for a qualifying home purchase. In Conclusion A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a powerful tool for first-time homebuyers, offering tax benefits and a structured approach to saving for homeownership. By taking advantage of an FHSA, you can accelerate your journey towards owning your first home and make your dream a reality sooner than you think.

Understanding the Recent Housing Affordability Measures in Canada

By Luisa Hough • 18 Apr, 2024
In recent years, housing affordability has become a significant concern for many Canadians, particularly for first-time homebuyers facing soaring prices and strict mortgage qualification criteria. To address these challenges, the Canadian government has introduced several housing affordability measures. In this blog post, we'll examine these measures and their potential implications for homebuyers. Increased Home Buyer's Plan (HBP) Withdrawal Limit Effective April 16, the Home Buyer's Plan (HBP) withdrawal limit will be raised from $35,000 to $60,000. The HBP allows first-time homebuyers to withdraw funds from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to use towards a down payment on a home. By increasing the withdrawal limit, the government aims to provide young Canadians with more flexibility in saving for their down payments, recognizing the growing challenges of entering the housing market. Extended Repayment Period for HBP Withdrawals In addition to increasing the withdrawal limit, the government has extended the repayment period for HBP withdrawals. Individuals who made withdrawals between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025, will now have five years instead of two to begin repayment. This extension provides borrowers with more time to manage their finances and repay the withdrawn amounts, alleviating some of the immediate financial pressures associated with using RRSP funds for a down payment. 30-Year Mortgage Amortizations for Newly Built Homes Starting August 1, 2024, first-time homebuyers purchasing newly built homes will be eligible for 30-year mortgage amortizations. This change extends the maximum mortgage repayment period from 25 years to 30 years, resulting in lower monthly mortgage payments. By offering longer amortization periods, the government aims to increase affordability and assist homebuyers in managing their housing expenses more effectively. Changes to the Canadian Mortgage Charter The government has also introduced changes to the Canadian Mortgage Charter to provide relief to homeowners facing financial challenges. These changes include early mortgage renewal notifications and permanent amortization relief for eligible homeowners. By implementing these measures, the government seeks to support homeowners in maintaining affordable mortgage payments and mitigating the risk of default during times of financial hardship. The recent housing affordability measures announced by the Canadian government are aimed at addressing the challenges faced by homebuyers in today's market. These measures include increasing withdrawal limits, extending repayment periods, and offering longer mortgage amortizations. The goal is to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for Canadians across the country. As these measures come into effect, it's crucial for homebuyers to stay informed about the changes and their implications. Consulting with a mortgage professional can help individuals explore their options and make informed decisions about their housing finances. If you're interested in learning more about these changes and how they may affect you, please don't hesitate to connect with us. We're here to walk you through the process and help you consider all your options and find the one that makes the most sense for you.

Contact Me Anytime!

The best way to get ahold of me is to submit through the contact form below. However feel free to give me a shout on the phone as well.

Contact Us

Share by: