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CD has laid back and uninvolving sound

Hi folks, yesterday I listened again to vinyl. I conducted also a comparison between vinyl and CD. The most peculiar thing with CD is that the sound seems to be more laid back, distant and uninvolving. With vinyl the sound has more bloom, is less laid back and has more PRaT. To me this laid back and distant sonic character of CD is the most significant finding and bothers me quite a lot. How can I improve this? Btw, my digital front end: MBL 1621 transport + Accustic Arts Tube DAC. Would Wadia DAC (the old Wadia 9 or another classic Wadia) be better in rendering a more upfront and engaging sound (more PRaT)?

Chris
dazzdax
getheleadout
144 posts
 
I highly advise calling Kyle at Reference Audio Mods. After he gets through with your CD rig, I'm sure you'll be thorough satisfied.

I run a CEC TL-51X transport and Musical Fidelity XDAC V3, X-10V3 and XPSU. I had RAM modify (to the max) the CEC and XDAC a couple of years ago and am still blown away by the sound.
learsfool
1,206 posts
 
I would agree that you are mostly describing the differences inherent in the two mediums, I don't think that this is at all "peculiar." Vinyl is going to have more dynamics than digital, and a more life-like sound ( and bloom is not a quality usually associated with digital at all) - this is mostly because of the different types of distortion inherent to the mediums. There has been plenty of discussion of these issues on this site recently. I would not assume something is wrong with your system - as others have said, your stuff has a good reputation.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
agree with tvad.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
since all "vinyl systems" do not sound alike, it is misleading to generalize differences between vinyl and digital.

simply change the cartridge and the "sound" of an lp will change significantly. there are also audible differences between dac/xport combinations and cd players.

my experience does not confirm the distant perspective as typical of digital components. there are many players or dac/xport combinations which are forward.
oregon
608 posts
 
"How can I improve this"?
The answer is simple- get a quality turntable, decent cart and you will have the sound you are seeking.
It baffles me that so many people spend thousands of dollars trying to get an analog sound out of their digital machines. Why spend thousands on DACs, which stands for Digital to ANALOG CONVERTER???
Why not put the money into a good vinyl playback system?
Then you don't need converters and cables and super discs.
And please, stay away from belt drives.
Get a Lenco. You will have PRat you want.
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