Back to analog ..was it a mistake???


Like alot in the 1980s I went totally digital.Took my 300+ album collection and boxed them up never thinking I would venture back.My current digital system is about everything I always wanted.Black background,nice sound stage,fast,clean,detailed yet very musical.The speakers disappear and instument seperation is there and in the correct locations.Vocals are superb on all types of music IMO..
From strong suggestions from my bro I decided to try the analog approach again even though the analog systems Ive heard recently never came close to my setup.I bought a mid 1980s Linn lp12 and did some upgrades to it..Mose/Hercules2,new Akito2 arm,belt,oil,Denon DL160,cables..had it setup correctly.Bought a new Musical Surroundings Phono.Spent days cleaning records.What I have in sound is nothing short of a big dissapointment for the time and money spent.Forgetting the snap,crackle, pop which is very hard to get around the sound stage is nowhere to be found.The speakers no longer disappear,its like taking 10 steps backwards..Yea, I know the Linn isnt the beat all table as well as the phono but something is amiss here.Ive tried a few adjustments and things seem to become a little better but when I do the digital it becomes clear my analog attempt sucks.Am I expecting too much from my new investment back to analog???Is all this analog talk just talk from guys who never had a great digital system??Any positive imput or suggestions is appreciated..Thanks in advance
missioncoonery
Mapman, I do agree with you re: the packaging. Despite the smaller size, CDs aren't really all that convenient, are fragile, and missing all that glorious art work that LPs have. Perhaps more importantly, and especially for those like me with older eyes that prefer to listen sans glasses, the liner notes and perhaps even more importantly the librettos that come with CDs are near impossible to read.
There is definitely more romance involved with handling LPs and LP jackets.
....now the Mapleknoll TT I owned prior to the LP12, THAT was definetely a beast to set up optimally and maintain. It was sonically superior but MAN O MAN, you HAD to be an audiophiliac to hang with that baby!!;)

As far as CD packaging, I've owned a very fine magnifying glass since I started collecting CD's! How 'bout you guys?
Missioncoonery, it sounds like you've done your homework on the Linn LP12. Despite what is generally accepted on the Audiogon forum about the Linn, it is a good buy. Have you heard their new DC motor? There is one comparison on U-tube between the Lingo/ac motor and this. Many in the Naim camp believe that the new Linn setup(phono preamp)is better than the top-of-the-line Naim. Of course, I can't afford any of this, but it does point out that maybe the Linn is not the limiting factor that many believe.