Congrats.
The sonic quality of digital audio is growing rapidly.
Almost equality
Through much trial and error, and with help from this forum, I’ve finally got a digital system that compares to my analog setup. I never thought it possible, and I know there are those who say it’s impossible. And, of course, I’m comparing my unique systems to each other. YMMV.
My digital setup includes a Cambridge streamer with Qobuz and Idagio, a Cyrus transport and a Benchmark DAC . This all feeds into a re-capped vintage Conrad Johnson preamp (PV 11) and a Benchmark amplifier.
‘The analogue setup includes a heavily modified Rega RP3 turntable with two power units, and Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge.
I’m really happy with the sound of both digital and analog for the first time, with analog having the slight edge.
35 responses Add your response
As one whos' feet are in both ponds so to speak, both have their charms. Mho comes down to what one prefers and/or willing to pursue. Each have their own characteristics determined by ones' means to do so. What may sound lovely with one may be pancake flat with the other. Some do it for the music, others the process; I like a balance in my approach. ;) |
@rvpiano Yeah, it's the Horenstein performance. I also have it on a Unicorn double-LP. The Unicorn pressing is much quieter but the Nonesuch pressing has much more dynamics, tone and life. What can I say? I'd rather withstand the warps, clicks and pops than tolerate the Unicorn's politeness. |
@rvpiano my streaming transition was very similar. Your credentials as a classical musician is further endorsement that what we're hearing is indeed consistent with the natural sounds of real instruments. How does the sound compare between your transport and your streamer? |
It has been a while since I sat down and listened to an analogue system. Last time was at the RMAF. Jim Salk had a pair of Song3 Encores hooked up to a pair of tube Monoblock's. The sound was warm. I wonder if you lose the crips highs using a tube amp? I would imagine digital came out to replace the maintenance of tubes, but did it also generate crisper sounding highs such as cymbals? |
The benchmark dac isn't that good, if you really want to elevate your digital side check out the Wyred4Sound 10th anniversary dac, one of the reviewers put it up against his VPI turntable with a $5,000 Japanese cartridge on it and he said that the 10th anniversary dac sounded just as analog, and I bought the dac and I totally agree this is the best sound I've have in my system and just so you know what my system is it's worth about 60,000, Sim audio p8 preamp, Sim audio w8 amp, Wyred4Sound 10th anniversary dac, esoteric P10 transport, monarchy audio up sampler, power cords are all Harmonic technology pro 10 OCC single crystal wire, analog interconnects are HT magic top of the line balanced OCC single Crystal and the digital interconnects are HT Magic. |
OP,
Congratulations! It is great isn’t it? After about three decades of failure to have digital being even a close contender, I was able to upgrade my digital end to equal my analog end. It has been such a fantastic experience. Paradym shifting… having with Qobuz a nearly infinite library. After over fifty years of buying albums. My digital and analog ends were equal up until a couple months ago when I upgraded my Linn LP12 to nearly the highest level. While analog pulled ahead slightly in detail the character is exactly the same… so both are completely satisfying. The recording / mastering quality is usually the deciding determinant as to which sounds higher resolution. This is so ideal, as it gives me impetus to search out odd vinyl recordings for fun… and yet fantastic sound quality awaits regardless of what I do. A comment on your system. I think that Conrad Johnson preamp is really a brilliant move. The classic, the preamp is the heart and soul of a system. I am sure this is what it is contributing. |
Congratulations! Like someone just said "convenience".... I own little less than 10,000 albums...I dont want to store them all... For S.Q. it is possible, in spite of some afficionados of turntable opinion , to have a very good sound which will rival analog.... It is relative to many factors... Which one is better in the absolute is a useless question for most of us with a limited budget... And there exist a S.Q. minimal quality threshold which make this question a secondary one , interesting question yes, for example Mike Lavigne said analog is better and i trust him... But who want to pay and can pay the necessary amount of money for a dedicated acoustic room and top high end gear in analog and digital format to answer this question at the end? Mike Lavigne can.... What most people underestimated is the three aspect of acoustic: -Material acoustic passive treatment with the right balance between reflection/diffusion/absorption... -Active mechanical control with Helmholtz devices of the distributed zones pressure of the small room, -Psycho acoustic method to balance direct and reflected waves and to focus the wavefronts and timing them from each speaker and for each ear... Compared to that mastery of acoustic , analog /digital difference exist but is minute one... I will trust Mike Lavigne for which one format is better at the end.....
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RV, it is very hard to beat the convenience and music accessibility of digital. In my opinion, digital and analog front ends will never sound exactly the same but each has a different flavor. I also think the cost and knowledge required to properly construct an analog front end is generally significantly more costly and difficult than with a digital setup. I was a very early digital adopter and I am just blown away how this music reproduction technology has improved over the decades since the CD was invented. I only stream my music using Roon and Qobuz. It works for me and that’s all that really matters at the end of the day |
Great, how long a process was it? I am VERY GLAD I joined Audiogon, June 2019. I started with one question, 'long tonearm?', ended up completely overhauling my 3 systems. Proper setup to play MONO LPs a key achievement that would never have happened without advice here. Help here has been instrumental to my many steps to success.
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