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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 8 responses by macdadtexas

macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I got back into vinyl when a, comparatively, crappy turntable sounded better (I will admit "different" as in warmer and more complete to me) than my very expensive, and very good digital set up.

I've never looked back, I like my digital set up, but I love my analog gear. That said, I have about 3x the investment in analog at this point, to be fair.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
It would help to have a small gyroscope mounted on the gimbled turntable platform to keep it level. That could work.

Also, I think to eliminate tracking problems, you would be best served to use a linear tracking arm.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Luckily my daughters' dance school is at Hwy 3 and Nasa Rd One, about half a mile from the entrance to Nasa's main facility. I am sure at least a few of the girls at the school have parents who are scientists at Nasa. I will offer to drop my girls off tonight, and put a note up on the bulletin board inquiring about the gimbled turntable.

Maybe someone can pull it out of the archives. If they do, let's set up a listening test. Probably best to do it in late October when it cools down here.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
This is my new favorite string!!

CajunPepe we will try to solve your acceleration problem. In fact, we will try to solve it for a fast car too, so your Bimmer should have no problem. Once you break 4 on 0 - 60 then you should start worrying!!

BTW, Geaux Tigers!!
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
my 10 and 8 yr old are both good to un-que the record, move the arm to the rest, remove the periphery ring, flip the record, clean the record, and place the cartridge on the first track of the record, missing the periphery ring.

Daddy is so proud!!

Both girls by the way, I agree with Nrenter, trust them more.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
To paraphrase the great Mike Myers (as the crazy Scotsman shop owner on Saturday Night Live), "If it's not analog it's CRAP!!!"

There I said, it. Digital better than all but a $35k vinyl rig?

Hahahahahahah, that's good.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
BANG, your gone Phaelon!! We're always packin' in South Texas, that was a bad call on your part.

2 out of 3?
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Cajun P, best college football game I have ever been to:

Auburn vs Alabama in the mid '90's. Great fans, great stadium, great rivalry, great sporting event. Very tough tickets to get, too.
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