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Digital vs. Analog sonics

I had an incident occur this weekend that surprized me. I was playing Tracy Chapman on my Pioneer modded DVD transport with the Bel Canto DAC2 for a friend of mine. I wanted her to hear the Digital vs. Analog for herself and make her own conclusion. The analog rig is a VPI 19 MKIV with a ETII arm and Benz Gold cartridge. The preamp is the AI Modulus 3A Gold board, Bel Canto EVO4 amp NHT 3.3 speakers.
The differance was huge but different in a sense that doesn't seem to be reasonable unless one was wrong.

The digital seemed slow and dark compared to the open transparent and detailed Analog. Switching back and forth seemed to indicate a faulty speed, they were sonically too far part to have both be accurate. My understanding of the digital technology is it has to play and spin correctly to work therefore pointing to the analog as having to be too fast. The problem is the analog seemed correct. Could the Cd have been reproduced that poorly? How can I verify the VPI's speed? The VPI seemed more pace oriented than "too fast." I've not noticed any other deficiencies in my digital system and wonder if I would have noticed anything if I had not heard a direct comparison! Ideas?
jothompson

Showing 1 response by bomarc

bomarc
501 posts
 
Yes, the CD could be produced that poorly. So could the LP. There's a lot of mediocre recordings out there. But the way you're comparing them opens up far more logical possibilities, including speed variation. You should definitely check your turntable. I've heard of turntable makers intentionally setting their tables a little fast, just to impress listeners.

Another thing to remember is that levels matter. If you were playing the LP even slightly louder than the CD, it might well sound better, as you describe it. And level-matching by ear doesn't necessarily work. Two things that seem identically loud can be off by several tenths of a dB, and that's enough to make them sound different. That said, there's no way to perfectly match levels between a CD and an LP, because of the inherent differences in the media. (Also, if you're the one with your finger on the volume knob, and you already believe that vinyl sounds better, it's possible that you're subconsciously playing the LP just a little bit louder. Let your friend do it.)

Finally, there are various aspects of vinyl which make it sound different from CD, and different in a way that often appeals to listeners. So that, too, probably played a role in your impressions.
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