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When does analog compete with digital?

With vinyl becoming all the rage, many believe (perhaps mistakenly) that a budget of $1K will allow them to bring their analog front end up to par with their digital. I would like a reasoned assessment of this issue.

How much time, money, and expertise do you think is necessary before one can seriously claim that their analog front end can compete with their digital? What characteristics, if any, are simply incommensurable between these two mediums? Let's use my system as an example.

Personally, I tried to build an analog front-end that focused on texture/warmth (as opposed to dynamics), but I still feel as though something is missing. Trouble is, I can't quite put my finger on it. I'd be grateful for comments/suggestions (system in sig)
jferreir

Showing 2 responses by elizabeth

elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
They are different. Period. If you want the equal of your digital, in a vinyl system, it is NOT gonna happen. If you want a different, but equally exciting sound, then it DEPENDS on what you listen FOR, in the sound, as to how much it's gonna cost you to get there.
I have both digital and LP. My digital is cheaper than my TTs. But i use a tube buffer to tame the digital. The Lps sound clearer, better, but the CD is more convenient.
I just have to say again, it is a DIFFERENT sound. If you are ready for it, then you could be happy. If you want it to be like your digital, you are in for a bummer.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Disagree with Ptmconsulting about 'resonable' digital. Mostly it goes to what sound one desires. Digital has it's own flaws that no $500 or $1,000 is going to come near fixing if that stuff bothers you. if the digital sonic flaws don't bother, then it doesn't. Same for analog. A cheap TT and cart with a cheap phono, say $500. IS going to sound JUST AS GOOD (with different flaws) as that $500 digital front end. They will have different sounds, different problems with the sound, but, IMO, will really be just as good as each other.
I think the issue is: What is your preferred poison?
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