When is digital going to get the soul of music?

Tbg, I suppose "soul" is, when there is no trace of listener's fatigue and when the music really gets under your skin AND you forget about your system and nothing but music is left. And yes, finally, says the old vinyl man, digital has come a long way indeed. Especially if you listen to it the way you suggest!!

I think todays decent CD player are very good; however, they'll all only sound like "real music" when they have adaquate AC conditioning and isolation.

True, as far as I am concerned.

I think what is being called "soul" (or musicality) has much to do in fact with PRaT. With vinyl/analog you have a proper sense of "timing". A kind of "timing" that allows you to relax between the notes. It sounds strange but this is what (above all else) gives reproduced sound "musicality". It is not the ability to reveal micro information burried in the music or to deliver abundant macro dynamics. It is the way of reproducing sound without any stress and with the right "flow".
With some digital gear you have the feeling of "uneasyness" that can be very tiring. I think many of you have experienced the feeling of relaxation that immediately appears after you've switched source from CD --> vinyl during a listening sesseion.

Chris

Chris,
Basically I am complete agreement. Digital however has improved in the last decade and these days you can set up a system, I would say in the way Pscanli has suggested above, which will give you the same micro and macro dynamics as vinyl/analogue would, *IF* you stick to voices and small groups, string quartets, Jazz-combos etc. I still cannot bear digital with big symphonic music. There is still too much missing, which a good analog/vinyl rig will give us plenty of.