Funny how streaming/digital still chases that analog benchmark.
Funny how manufacturers of streaming and digital gear continues to chase that elusive analog sound. I thought digital was better?
Before you all get your panties in a wad I enjoy both Digital and Analog but much rather listen to an analog source than digital.
So today I see Innuos Introduces The PhoenixNET – A Network Switch For Audiophiles @ only $3500.00
Guess I do not see the point you can get superior sound for say $2500 or less with a decent turntable cartridge combo and phono stage. Hell Clear Audio has an all in one for $2500.
@skypunk....I enjoy great sounding audio just like the next bloke. But think about it....ANYONE who knows networking would see right through that bs. Its the "special" individual who would see an add for that 3500 dollar switch and think "its audiophile grade... I have GOT to have me one of them" when ANY network switch will do. Think about it...audio does not use a lot of bandwidth in the networking world. Want a top of the line switch for audio streaming? Cisco 2900... totally configurable switch...20 years old...will handle any digital audio stream you can put through it.
I admit that I do have a knee jerk reaction to stupidity in advertising, especially for companies that try to obviously rip you off. That must be from my EE degree and 27 years in the IT business.
My system consists of a CJ mv55, a proton receiver acting as my preamp, project se box 2 phono preamp. I almost have enough saved for the technics 1200g, after which I save for a dynavector 20x2 and a mcintosh c2300. All well thought out purchases which I can sonically justify buying.
Its the stupid stuff designed to rip people off that makes me grow as thorns and sets them to grinding.
3500 for a freaking network switch that you can buy from net gear for 50 bucks???
It seems that audiofools and their money are very quickly separated.
I have a new handy dandy audiophile product that I am going to start selling... its a power plug that guarantees fresh electrons into your power supply....PLUS.....each electron is vacuume treated. Hint...its a 2 dollar power strip.
See how impressive that audiophile speel sounded?
To answer your question in a reasonable fashion....digital is an approximation of an analog signal. An lp is not. Yes, digital will sound "fine" but an approximation will never fully sound like the real thing.
Those of you who are streaming fans can disagree to your hearts content, but MY ears know the difference. Yours may varry.
@skypunk, more Mig29’s were produced than all variants of the F18.
I don’t own a R2R due to the high cost, limited selection, inconvenience and readily availability of quality of tapes. In addition, I was not the one who stated that their primary goal was fidelity over “all” other aspects of playback including available music.
Digital is as good or betterthen analog IMO a $3k network switch is a rip off $300 maybe , in a custom built Pc buy the latest Jcat usb,and ethernet card for streaming linear power supply ,a final touch audio cable for usb to dac. spend at least $200 x2 for ethernet cables modem to router and from computer switch hub to computer and need a good dac once there you get very high quality playback ,it costs noticeably more to get digital to meet or surpass analog . Please remember digital is always progressing analog is not ,a record 12.5 bits tops ,digital true 20 bits max far more information.much better S/N ratio , dynamic range, Low Bass response ,no pops and clicks, no maintainence. And R2R dacs , as well as vacuum tube dacs , or discreet opamps give you the option to change the sound exactly to your taste .having been into digital since the 80s modding them totally transforms them And not a lot of money is needed , under $2k for a very respectable build to -$15k just as turntables and cartridges can cost Big bucks .myself change cables or electronics until it sounds right .no system is great without fine tuning.
@erik_squires Yep now that you have chirped off my night is made. Analog is the benchmark and so is concrete.
@testpilot . IDK why are you not listening to a R2R deck? So now you have made my point, analog is the benchmark period. Mig29 jeez and how many? Not many they churned out 15’s and 17’s , 21’s like VW did the Bug.
Analog is in the rear view mirror as far as I'm concerned. No disrespect for the medium because I have owned some of the best and it was very very good. But (goodness knows) with the likes of Tidal and the capabilities of quality DACs and access to virtually unlimited Master Quality recordings, streaming is a slam dunk... unless there's something in the equation that has more to do with the intangibles than the enjoyment of a wide spectrum quality recorded music.
I am, I am into sound quality. It is quality not quantity kind of like the Airforce in Russia lots of cheap junk, One F18 can shoot down 16 of them at once..
If sound quality is your priority, why aren’t you using a R2R deck and playing master tapes? Oh btw, the Russians in the early 80’s had a little fighter jet that you may have heard of named the Mig29.
@testpilot ......but with a streamer plus a $15/month subscription you can access unlimited HD music. Who’s ahead now?
I am, I am into sound quality. It is quality not quantity kind of like the Airforce in Russia lots of cheap junk, One F18 can shoot down 16 of them at once..
Also remember those digital files are created from an analog master then butchered err digitized by so called digital audio engineers (an apple app I am sure).
You can make an argument for each format, but in the end one chooses what works for them.
@tomcy6 . Rant? Stating my pinion. Insecurity? Clearly you are the one with the issue.
As I stated I enjoy both formats. I have a Simaudio 280D and the 260D transport $5000.00 in my digital and that is probably more than you do. So dump another $3500 in for good measure.
I will post what I like and you can opine about what you like.
Analog is the benchmark and you can not deny it.
later insecure digitalia boy.
please quit taking yourself so serious and stop being easily offended.
Using digital, I can use DSP to pervert what the musician intended and produce a frequency response like you get from vinyl. I can set up a number of different DSP profiles for each track to replicate the way the sound worsens as the needle heads towards the hole. I can add a sample of surface noise. I can add random pops and clicks. I can make all lower frequency sound mono instead of stereo. I can make these pops and rumbles a little more annoying each time I play the same album.
Okay, okay, you're a pervert. Got it. But there you go again, trying to make digital sound like analog. Which is the point. It's never the other way around. Joke all you want, you know it's true, the standard is analog. Digital is for when you just don't care that much that it sucks.
Someone recommended this album, Dominique Fils Aime', her "Three Little Words" album. I used Qobuz to give it a listen, enjoyed what I heard , so then purchased the album off of Amazon as a preorder due in the states in about a week. My point is, I listen to digital but still try to support the musician buy purchasing their music in vinyl format.
Too bad everything is not available on vinyl, but the sad truth is that it's not. I too enjoy streaming music from my collection as well as Qobuz. It sounds very good and I love the convenience of all that music from my listening chair. No, it's not quite vinyl, but it is still very good.
Using digital, I can use DSP to pervert what the musician intended and produce a frequency response like you get from vinyl. I can set up a number of different DSP profiles for each track to replicate the way the sound worsens as the needle heads towards the hole. I can add a sample of surface noise. I can add random pops and clicks. I can make all lower frequency sound mono instead of stereo. I can make these pops and rumbles a little more annoying each time I play the same album. I can sequence the music so that after 20 minutes I have to get up and fiddle about a bit. If I want to give Qobuz £20 per album I can, even if I only listen to one of the tracks once. I could pay large insurance premiums to cover the cost of losing my vinyl in a fire or theft. But I’d rather not.
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