2. digital
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Digital is far better than vinyl

I have invested a decent sum of money into my digital setup, including a decent streamer (Innuos Zenith MK3), a very good dac (Denafrips Terminator 2), Eno filter, and good cabling. But after being told by many here that vinyl is vastly superior to digital, I thought let’s build an analog system and see what all the fuss is about. So this is what I did ...

I picked up an Audio Technica TT from Amazon for around $299. I then used one of the older integrated amps with a built-in phono, which I believe I paid around $500 a few years ago. And, finally, just to even out the playing field I bought the cheapest possible cables from alibaba. Since I didn’t have extra rack space to put the TT on, I got a couple of bricks and built a DIY platform for it.

So after listening to the analog setup for a few days, I can proclaim without a shadow of doubt that digital is far, far superior than vinyl on any given day, and twice a day on Sunday.

What has been your experience? And please, don’t mention your gear or any special. cartridges, isolation, etc. Not interested in your system details. I just want to make sure you guys understand that digital is far, far superior than vinyl.

128x128arafiq

Showing 5 responses by jefflz

jefflz
10 posts
 

@thecarpathian

Your last comment makes my point perfectly.   This is known as a living example.

jefflz
10 posts
 

I am at this moment listening on a BluSound system through a Berkely Audio Series 3 Alfa DAC to a hi res FLAC version of Pierre Fournier’s Bach Cello Suites released in 2016 based on the Deutche Gramaphon Archiv Recording originally released in 1961. I have a superb vinyl playback system with a $2K Japanese made cartridge and a top of the line SOTA turntable that has been rebuilt at the factory. I grew up with vinyl, was disappointed by early CD’s and have had thousands of vinyl recordings across the board in quality.

There is no question that the streaming version of the Pierre Fournier digital release is better than the vinyl equivalent .. One has to make such comparisons at a high level of equipment on both sides before drawing any conclusions. Recently released hi res streaming beats the vinyl original in virtually every case.

 

jefflz
10 posts
 

I used to shop for high end equipment regularly at a local audiophile institution called "The Audible Difference". When comparable levels of playback systems are used for the same recordings, it is really all that matters. Satire or not - the "Audible Difference" is always the most important thing to consider case by case. It is a fundamental that we all know very well, but is often overlooked when getting caught up in technical issues.

jefflz
10 posts
 

This debate is very similar to the tube vs solid state arguments we have heard for years. With equivalent level equipment comparing the same recording, it does, to a large extent, depend on personal preferences. Those who prefer a warmer rounded sound compared to high definition and precise spatial resolution have every right to opt for tube equipment. This argument carries over to vinyl vs. LP, and when the comparison is made fairly (at the equipment and recording level) it may indeed come down to personal audio listening preferences.

Do keep in mind the incredible number of superb recently remastered high resolution recordings that were originally released on vinyl.

Let’s move on!

jefflz
10 posts
 

The audiophiles who responded sincerely despite the unprofessional post by arafiq have increased the signal/noise ratio on an often weak forum, despite those commenters who are only immersed in feeble satire

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