Are there digital front ends with the body...

I've got a Wadia 830 with mods from Steve Huntley at Great Northern Sound that has amazing body and depth of image when the recording calls for it... I believe this is, at least in part, what the GNSC mods enabled on this player and, based on knowledge of other GNSC modded equipment and discussions with other owners, I'd have to say it is a strong expertise of Steve's.

Do a little searching here and on AudioAsylum for GNSC...

".....digital that competes on this level. Price no object."

Zanden digital combo. Uncannily sounds similar to my analog set up. Induces giddiness everytime I compare ;-)

Nilthepill: If so close, why bother with the analog? I'm guessing that's at least another $20K you've got tied up there? Just because of the records you've got that'll never be on digital?

This thread has turned out to be quite interesting. I am still an analog newbie and, though I admit I'm still smitten and thus not objective, I've just never heard any digital that sounds as 'right' or natural, and I've heard most of the ultra-pricey stuff at shows. I have NOT, however, heard the Zanden combo or even the DAC.

The best I've heard has been the top-line Audio Note stuff, which is very, very pricey indeed, and I still think it is missing some qualities my $12K or so analog rig brings. Those qualities are rather difficult to put into words.

Paulfolbrecht, I have to agree with you about analog. I still turn to vinyl when I want to listen critically, but digital and CDPs have come a long, long way in the last decade or so. It ain't analog but it ain't bad.

Zanden combo sounds rather anemic next to SME30/SME5/Kondo IO-J/Kondo pre vinyl rig. I've heard it with my ears on A-B.

BUT, this vinyl setup is x2 the price of the Zanden. So it really depends what you're comparing.

Regards,
Alex