Digital vs Analog experiment

In my experience with some of those similar file formats is that the source equipment made a big difference. I had some friends listen to CDs, streamed files on two different brands of streamers, switched out DAC and also used an older turntable with basic phono preamp. I got mixed results with many preferring hi-res streamed files. Much depends on quality of equipment IMO.

The issue is not that analog is inherently better. The recording is actually different.

Agreed - although I would suggest "the source material is better". That said, may people actually like the analogue sound, in and of itself (I do too).

No matter how high resolution your digital rig, if the file being played is squashed down to 6dB dynamic range it's not going to sound good.

Did you match levels with a volt meter? "By the ear" is not good enough! The louder sample will always sound better.

I did not match precisely, but it was familiar recording and fairly significant details were missing. Such a bass drum on CD and HD Tracks was close to non existent while clearly there on LP and 24/96 I made myself. 

This experiment you based nothing regarding the exact setup 

per dollar spent , Digital requires more monies to exceed even a basic $3k turntable setup , but the payoff is a far larger choice in music .

I have found Digital coming into your home it is not a grounded signal you first need a good quality modem router combo ,Never separate even more noise .

the $3 wall wart that your router connects to just adds to the noise .on Audiogon 

Linear Tube Audio makes a great  LPS power supply with a very good DC cable to power the router this cleans up all the incoming noise, $700 -$50 off the regular and nothing better even at over $1k and buy at least a decent low cost power cord like the Pangea Sig Mk2 awg14 they at minim7m a $200 from router to Ethernet hum ,hear to you need something ,my brother spent over $6k on his Ansuz ,but that is way out of my budget for $3k a very big improvement ,  I have the LHY SW8 for $600 with Pangea power cord ,with LPS  really cleans the digital up then the most critical  Ethernet cable your end point  excellent for value sound Sablon $400 from the U.K beats cables 2 x the cost . I have the AQ Diamond at my start point ,

a significant  upgrade in sonics , then to your dac the most essential part in your system that creates your audio signal . The sky is the limit . My brother and a bunch of Audio friends have the T+A200 by far the best value in digital ,I go to many audio get togethers in other states and it competes with dacs 2 x it’s cost .

I currently have a 3 year old Terminator dac that is still very respectable until I can afford better.  This is why it’s important to leave no weak link in the chain .

there are also different brand digital filters that too can help. A good turntable  phono amp, cartridge and platform with power cords is not cheap at least $10 k

to start getting into the upper end , being an audiophile is a never ending journey !!

@jasonbourne71  no, the louder sample doesn't always sound better, especially if you listen for a longer duration. By your logic then compressed music would sound best.

@audioman58 - how does power cable improve operation of network stack in the router? What changes exactly?

Power cables act as the last line in filtering,shielding the audio signal.

I spoke in depth with a engineer at Audio Quest ,

And invested in the Tornado sourse power cord , for my digital 

it made a very nice improvement in low level detail and everything was more stable clear in the audio performance , Anthony at Perrotta Consultants gives very attractive package deals to me well worth the expense.

Too many variables in that comparison IMO. CD master and analog master are different. You don’t even know what the master is streaming from HD Tracks or Tidal. I’ve done this comparison many times and got pretty much as many different results. With analog besides dealing with different master you have a cartridge that impacts the sound - different cartridges sound different. You have VTA, overhang, stylus pressure, condition of LP, phono amp quality, gain, etc. 

LPs are inherently noisier as well. Comparing LP to digital is a fool’s errand. I ended up selling my analog setup which was really nice but it couldn’t match digital majority of the time. Good luck with this. 
 

As to how a power cord can change the sound of a digital component, even a streamer…ac current moves in both directions. Digital components especially those with SMPS tend to be noisy and will pollute your AC line. If you have your analog components on the same circuit they will be impacted…how much depends on power supply filtering. Running digital off a different circuit helps. Good power cords will reject noise to a degree and help as well. Like everything else in system optimization cables matter, the material and construction matters, connectors matter and outlets can change the sound as well. The changes can be both positive and negative. Not all aftermarket power cords will improve the sound of your components. Good and properly designed components will mitigate these issues, amps especially.
Can you hear the changes depends on how trained your ears are, how revealing is your system and how good the acoustics are in your listening space…treated for reflections etc. If you set up your rig in a tiled bathroom power cords and other cables won’t matter. 

mikhailark Was your test “blind”? How many sets of ears participated? Just you?

With a digital source naturally more depth should sound better.

But compaing a record to a Cd to s file would require a set up and benchmarks that are difficult to enact.  What equipment was used?

I have found when digital equipment ,including streaming are done correctly 

it is superior , analog records are capable roughly 12bits .

digital critical since digital going house to house not grounded

your modem- router combo 1st get rid of garbage quality wall warts anywhere in the system , a Linear power supply at the router is essential to stop the incoming noise Linear tube audio best by far LPS under $1200 at $700 on Audiogon with what many charge $150 for a good DC cable to the router is included .from router a decent Ethernet cable $200 at bare minimum then a good Ethernet hub starting at $600 the LHY  SW8,  Pangea power cord awg14 sig MK-2 very good for LPS and Ethernet hub not too much $$ $2-250, then a decent streamer $1500 on up like the entry level innuos , LTA makes a great 15 v  upto 8 amp LPS $800 less then the matching innuos and better, then a good quality dac $4 k on up and at least $1k for a usb cable . End point Ethernet cable is most important ,and streamer,dac a high quality power cord like AQ Tornado Sourse is very good ,that’s what I use , then you have a very good digital chain without weaknesses in the audio chain,            with records quality too throughout. Applies.

that has been my experience as well as many in the audio get togethers I have been to .