@mapman could just be confirmation bias.
@invalid Of course could be confirmation bias listening but not so much in this case I would say based on extensive sample size listening randomly over time to different releases of same album, some vinyl source, some various digital remasters, I can usually tell which source is playing when it comes up randomly in my playlists.
I can tell the vinyl sources even in cases where there is no surface noise clearly audible. THe unique properties of a specific record come through loud and clear, whether good bad or neutral.
I always use ultrasonic vinyl cleaning machine on a record prior to digitizing for best results. I am also often able to tell which specific digital mastering of album I am hearing.
For records in less than perfect condition, where I cannot filter out all teh noise during digitizing process in Audacity, its a piece of cake to tell a vinyl sourced digital version. Surface noise present in the source comes through loud and clear along with all the rest. Have never heard vinyl surface noise otherwise.
As a result I play a record once in order to convert to digital in my library, then I stream via Roon from there. I do keep the records afterwards however because 1) I still like having records and 2) in case anything were to hapen and teh digital files lost. I do backups of my library regularly though so not likely.
Perhaps as I downsize further over time, some records may go just so my kids no longer have to deal with them when I am gone.
