Let's talk about this subject just from a musical standpoint. In classical music, when a composer writes a score, he or she notates dynamics (forte, pianissimo, etc) to denote how loud or soft a passage is to be played. These dynamic markings are as much a part of the musical score as the melody or harmony. By definition, vinyl is a compressed format and cannot completely express loud or soft the way digital can. This is not an issue in most rock music, because there are not the dynamic markers in rock charts. In jazz, very few artists put dynamics into their performances. Art Blakey was one who made his ensemble play with a large dynamic range (I was lucky enough to see his band live before he passed away). This is not an attempt to plug or criticize either vinyl or digital, but to what audio should strive for from a purely musical perspective. I hope anyone reading this gets a chance to sit front row to hear a great symphony orchestra, so you can really hear the dynamics I'm talking about.
Has anyone been able to define well or measure differences between vinyl and digital?
It’s obvious right? They sound different, and I’m sure they measure differently. Well we know the dynamic range of cd’s is larger than vinyl.
But do we have an agreed description or agreed measurements of the differences between vinyl and digital?
I know this is a hot topic so I am asking not for trouble but for well reasoned and detailed replies, if possible. And courtesy among us. Please.
I’ve always wondered why vinyl sounds more open, airy and transparent in the mid range. And of cd’s and most digital sounds quieter and yet lifeless than compared with vinyl. YMMV of course, I am looking for the reasons, and appreciation of one another’s experience.