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)

1. master tape (15 ips) under close to ideal conditions.
2. 45 rpm or DTD vinyl
3. other vinyl
4. other high quality analog tape
5. ideal FM radio live broadcasts under optimum conditions
6. SACD
7. hard drive PCM digital masters
8. DVD-A/redbook
9. uncompressed HD movie soundtracks
10. MP3--ipod nano
11. normal FM Stereo radio with perfect reception
12.XM Satelite radio

pretty much the less the original information is 'mucked with' the better the level of musical satisfaction. it's no accident the top is analog and the bottom is digital.