2. analog
  3. 140184-113812

Turntable got absolutely crushed by CD

Long story short, i've just brought home a VPI classic 1 mounted with a Zu-Denon DL103 on JMW Memorial 10.5 with the appropriate heavier counterweight. Had everything dialed in..perfect azimuth, VTF, overhang, with only a slightly higher than perfect VTA. Levelling checked. All good. 

I did a comparison between the VPI and my Esoteric X03SE and it's not even close. The Esoteric completely crushes the VPI in all regards. The level of treble refinement, air, decay, soundstage depth and width, seperation, tonality, overall coherence is just a simply a league above from what I'm hearing from the VPI. The only area the VPI seems to be better at is bass weight, but not by much. 

I'm honestly quite dumbfounded here. I've always believed that analogue should be superior to digital. I know the Esoteric is a much pricier item but the VPI classic is supposed to be a very good turntable and shouldn't be a slouch either. At this point I feel like I should give up on analogue playback and invest further in digital. 

Has anyone had a similar experience comparing the best of digital to a very good analogue setup?

Equipment:
Esoteric X03SE 
VPI Classic, JMW Memorial 10.5, Zu-DL103
Accuphase C200L
Accuphase P600
AR 90 speakers

Test Record/CD:
Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing (Redbook vs MOV 180g reissue)



chadsort
fleschler
766 posts
 
I use digital recording equipment now.  Even the DCC recordings made in the 1990s sounded great.  I still have a Tandberg 9100 and a Pioneer 1500 for playback.  That Tandberg made some great recordings back in 1980s, better than early digital by a mile.

The reason I prefer many CDs to LP originals is due to remastering and unavailable good pressings.  Some of our great remastering engineers use the mastertapes without the LP compression and know what their doing with e.q. and multi-track mixing.  The other reason is that many of my great performances originally on LP had crappy pressings and the CD eliminates that hindrance to musical pleasure.  

Most of my collection, both 78s and LPs are not and will never be transferred to CD due to economic reasons and limited demand.
inna
5,245 posts
 
I hope analog recording stays alive. Question is how many audiophiles are prepared to pay $100 for a record with excellent music and great recording ? Or $200 ? I am, a few records a year, no more. And I would need to listen to it before buying, entire record not samples.
fleschler
766 posts
 
Despite my rather large collection, I rarely paid more than $25 for a record, 78 or CD.  Most of my collection was acquired between $1 and $10 each.  I listen every day for 1 to 2 hours.  That's my wealth, having the time after working, etc., to listen, not the cost per unit.  True from junior high through law school (restricted to chamber and non-vocal classical music and jazz while studying).  I'm 62 now so I've been privileged to hear a lot of music besides performing and recording.
noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
My best recordings (on vinyl) were bought for $1-$10. 50-70s jazz and blues, many live. Columbia, Red RCA etc. The Tidal versions do not hold a candle to many of them, if you can even get them.
harrylavo's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
harrylavo
118 posts
 
As others have said, get a really good cartridge.  Yours is not.  In the meanwhile, check your arm mounting geometrics.
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