TOP Format

1 DVD - A
2 SACD
3 Vinyl (*If* in perfect condition, rarely true)
4 CD (HDCD and XRCD would make this #3)
5 Music Server (Serving lossless files)
6 Reel to Reel tape (very dependent upon speed, width, tape formulation)
7 Satellite +/- external DA converter
8 MP 3 (320 Kbps sound pretty darn good)

-RW-

1 DVD-A
2 CD - XRCD/HDCD only
3 SACD
4 Reel to Reel - 15ips
5 Vinyl
6 CD - redbook

In some cases CD ties with Vinyl depending on the quality of the mastering. In the case of a tie, the edge goes to CD because of the lack of surface noise.

Vinyl scores low on the list because of the importance...and rarity...of super clean vinyl to make the format sound its best, and because of the required high investment in equipment to achieve high quality playback.

I have no experience with Music Server or Satellite, but I have to believe they are both superior to MP3 as long as the formats are Lossless.

1) vinyl
2) cd
3) dvd-a - (albiet a cheaper model than cd)
4) cassette (Nakamichi)
5) mp3
6) 8 track
7) juke box single
8) victrola 78

noiseless vinyl 80% with a good rcm investment (Loricraft)