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Back to analog ..was it a mistake???

Like alot in the 1980s I went totally digital.Took my 300+ album collection and boxed them up never thinking I would venture back.My current digital system is about everything I always wanted.Black background,nice sound stage,fast,clean,detailed yet very musical.The speakers disappear and instument seperation is there and in the correct locations.Vocals are superb on all types of music IMO..
From strong suggestions from my bro I decided to try the analog approach again even though the analog systems Ive heard recently never came close to my setup.I bought a mid 1980s Linn lp12 and did some upgrades to it..Mose/Hercules2,new Akito2 arm,belt,oil,Denon DL160,cables..had it setup correctly.Bought a new Musical Surroundings Phono.Spent days cleaning records.What I have in sound is nothing short of a big dissapointment for the time and money spent.Forgetting the snap,crackle, pop which is very hard to get around the sound stage is nowhere to be found.The speakers no longer disappear,its like taking 10 steps backwards..Yea, I know the Linn isnt the beat all table as well as the phono but something is amiss here.Ive tried a few adjustments and things seem to become a little better but when I do the digital it becomes clear my analog attempt sucks.Am I expecting too much from my new investment back to analog???Is all this analog talk just talk from guys who never had a great digital system??Any positive imput or suggestions is appreciated..Thanks in advance
missioncoonery
hevac1
811 posts
 
Missioncoonery,
As asked before, what equipment are you using for digital play back? Are you listening to a DCS digital system against your analog system? Are the 2 setups in the same range of quality?
tfkaudio
589 posts
 
It sounds like digital is your bag. Stick with it.

For me, a poorly set up turntable still sounds much better. A well set up turntable leaves no reasonable comparison. To my ears.

I wish digital sounded better to me, because CD's are so much more convenient.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Do what's needed to enjoy your music.

Everything else is window dressing.
vinyldisc
20 posts
 
Best choice you could make.
daverz
477 posts
 
You might try some different cartridges before giving up. I'd guess the Denon was undermatched for the table and arm, but one can't really judge this on price alone. I've certainly found the choice of cartridge has meant to difference between heaven and hell.

Well recorded and pressed Lps should give a very pleasingly solid and deep soundstage. I'd say that this is the hallmark of good analog playback, though there are plenty of people that are indifferent to it and care more about things like "PRaT".

Judicious choices of table, arm, cart and pre-amp can reduce surface noise to a level where it doesn't interfere with the enjoyment of the music, at least for me. You can't rescue abused records or bad pressings, though.
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