Does Anyone Think CD is Better Than Vinyl/Analog?


I am curious to know if anyone thinks the CD format (and I suppose that could include digital altogether) sounds better than vinyl and other analog formats. Who here has gone really far down both paths and can make a valid comparison? So far, I have only gone very far down the CD path and I just keep getting blown away by what the medium is capable of! I haven’t hit a wall yet. It is extremely dependent on proper setup, synergy and source material. Once you start getting those things right, the equipment gets out of the way and it can sound more fantastic than you can imagine! It’s led me to start developing a philosophy that goes something like this: Digital IS “perfect sound forever”; it’s what we do to the signal between the surface of the CD and the speaker cone that compromises it.” 
So I suppose what I’m asking for is stories from people who have explored both mediums in depth and came to the conclusion that CD has the most potential (or vice versa - that’s helpful too). And I don’t simply mean you’ve spent a lot of money on a CD player. I mean you’ve tinkered and tweaked and done actual “research in the lab,” and came back with a deep understanding of the medium and can share those experiences with others.

In my experience, the three most important things to get right are to find a good CD player (and good rarely means most expensive in my experience) and then give it clean power. In my case, I have modified my CD player to run off battery power with DC-DC regulators. The last thing that must be done right is the preamp. It’s the difference between “sounds pretty good” and “sounds dynamic and realistic.”
mkgus

Showing 1 response by minorl

Better is relative.

If you have a pretty decent digital source with a pretty good DAC, then it could be a matter of Convenience.  having to get up to turn the record over, clean the album, needle, make sure the turn table speed is correct, etc.  With CDs and especially streaming (high quality streaming), you have many more choices than what you currently have in your album inventory.

And, for a pretty decent digital system, it can and does sound wonderful.  Especially for better recorded digital music.  With older CDs, the music is wonderful, however, you often have to get past the really bad recording quality.  Some makes me want to run screaming out of the room.

However, when I really want to sit and listen, I will put on an album and every time (not some times) it is smoother, more open and better.

Don't get me wrong, if the music was originally digitally recorded and then placed on a album, when I listen to the same music on the digital system, it sound pretty darn close.  Each and every piece that I have listened  to that was originally recorded analog and converted to digital, when I listen to the album and then the CD, the album wins each and every time. So, to me, it depends on how it was initially recorded.

Forget about the pops and clicks for a moment and talk about albums (and cartridges) that don't have pops and clicks.  Then, listen to an analog recording vs the digital remaster of the same analog recording.  Then, come back and tell me honestly what you really hear.

In any case, I am enjoying both the digital and analog system in my home.  

enjoy