CDs Vs LPs

@cleeds  A BIG +1   You are exactly right.  I don't even understand what could lead someone to think that one would make LPs from digital sources.  Does it ever happen?  Sure.  Many original content albums were recorded digitally and pressed to vinyl.  But the vast majority of historic and from audiophile dedicated production companies recordings are analog all the way.  Both source types can sound very good.  It is a consequence of the quality of mastering and in the case of LPs, the pressing!

@atmasphere    You have mentioned twice or more on this thread that the quality of the phono stage has an impact on the audibility of vinyl surface noise.

Exactly!  I recently upgraded from a 25 year old Aragon 47k phono stage to a Luxman E-250.  I am amazed out how less prominent the surface ticks and pops are.  Even when they do occur they are less obtrusive to the music. The Luxman is still very airy at the top end and dynamic especially the dynamic ebb and flow of music.  I have been rediscovering the virtues of my older vinyl as the new phono stage and the micro ridge stylus that rides deep in the grooves has been ameliorating the vinyl nasties.  

I appreciate your chiming in on this as it has helped me to understand why the Luxman is so forgiving in the surface noise arena.

@dynaquest4

I'm glad it's not just me.😧

Not complete BS!  I upgraded my phono amp. a few months ago and one of the biggest differences is the reduction in surface noise, both pops and ticks. They are there but reduced in impact.  The surface noise is detached from the music unike when I tried a "budget" phono amp.  No going back! 

@Elizabeth  +1. Well said!