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How does good analog differ from good digital

I was at Music Direct yesterday buying some CDs. I heard Heart's Dreamboat Annie playing on their main system. It sounded really alive, punchy, and engaging. I walked over to hear it better. It turned out that I saw a rather warped record playing on a cool looking turntable called an Avid. They were using a Creek integrated and their new floor standing speakers. I was surprised that I did not hear any background hiss. I have heard their system before with digital but it never sounded this good. I wonder if it was the turntable. The speakers sounded very good but I know from experience that the characteristics listed above were probably were from somewhere else up the chain. It this what good analog offers? How much would one have to spend to get sound at least as good as my Audio Logic 24mxl and Accustic Arts Drive I? Thanks a lot, Brooks
brooksl
brooksl OP
129 posts
 
Thanks guys. I have added the costs for the turntable, the arm, the cartridge, the power cord, and the interconnect. I discovered that if I sold my Audio Logic DAC and added the cost a good vinyl set up that I can have a used Zanden DAC. Now I have a real dilemma. I appreciate the advice very much.
demolition23094b
1 posts
 
I have MF A3.2 CDP and cheap Pro-Ject 1.2C turntable with Ortofon OM Super 20 cartridge. Usually turntable sounds much better (especially 12"/45-singles).
Of course it depends on quality of media.
bsal
41 posts
 
I'll probably catch some flack for this in this forum, but I think you're cheating yourself and your system if your primary source isn't a turntable. In my view, the only reason to even have a CD player in a high-end system is for music you can't get on vinyl. Just one man's opinion . . . but do listen to a good vinyl set up before you invest mega-bucks in upgrading your digital front end.
robm321
932 posts
 
I agree with Bsal and will share some of the flak. I don't understand why audiophiles will go through all they do and spend as much money and time as they do in order to settle for second best, SACD and CD.

I think everyone needs a CD player because of the selection. But vinyl is the cream of the crop.

Rob
jdspratt
4 posts
 
Last week at the audiosalon, glasgow, I heard a Yorke s7 with a lyra titan cartridge(via all gryphon & proac d100) & compared with mikado CD player (the best I've heard & own). The original LP pressing of 'bridge over troubled water' (analoque mixed & mastered)blew the socks off the new remastered CD version which I had loved for years. After a few seconds I could not listen to the CD - it didn't sound real or 'live' at all.

This analogue source/phono stage sounded about 3 times as good as the CD for 3 times the price. I am buying the analoque set up.
This was my first ever audition of hi-end analoque after 20 yrs in the game & I feel like have wasted 20yrs of listening; however, it is a really good time to get into analogue eg origin live, manley steelhead etc
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