2. analog
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HD Down Load compared to Analog.


Lately, I've been comparing HD Down loads to "analog". The obvious first advantage is no pops and ticks, but that's just for old records. Another advantage for me personally is that I don't have class "A" analog, I have class "B", which is very good. I still use Stereophile magazine's ratings of equipment as a way of conveying how good a piece of equipment is. While folks here put that method of conveying how good a piece of equipment is, they still concur with it, and they don't even know it.

Class "A" analog is the best, and it's always very expensive. You have to have 100% class "A" in the chain to yield class "A" sound, which is why I have Class "B".

In my comparison evaluation, I used Santana "Abraxas" as the test LP. Since I've worn out 5 copies of this album, to say I'm familiar with it is an understatement. "Singing Winds And Crying Beasts" is the first cut, it has "tinkly" sounding chimes that test definition on all equipment. After listening to a new LP, I gave it an "A" rating. This meant the HD Download would have to be some kind of fantastic to top the LP.

As soon as the music began, it became apparent the HD Download was superior; there was a "jet black" background. This is something I had never heard before. I'm fully aware of the fact that's an "oxymoron". "How can you hear what you don't hear, and you have never heard before". Only an audiophile can understand that, consequently, I won't try to explain it. After only two cuts, I gave the HD Download an "A+" rating.

While I have Class "B" analog, if you have Class "A" analog, it might be better than the Download, I don't know. These are the results from my comparison, I would like to hear yours.
orpheus10

Showing 1 response by mikelavigne

mikelavigne
2,214 posts
 
i have 5 terabytes of hirez digital and enjoy it daily. i mostly listen to dsd files, but also lots of hirez PCM. i'm listening to it now. i agree that it sounds very very good, and sometimes great. it does have a consistently low noise floor and is clean sounding and noise free.

i have what likely would be considered top level vinyl in my system, as well as maybe B+ too. i've had plenty of B range vinyl in my system recently enough to have a feel for it and how it compares to hirez.

you can make a case for hirez competeing directly with B level vinyl, but it's not a case that works for me. there is a level of musically significant information in vinyl which is simply missing with hirez digital. there is dynamics and articulation in the bass which is not there in high rez. the areas where hirez does have some advantages are not musically significant to me (such as lack of ticks and slight noise). i'll take the deeper musical message of vinyl any day if we are stating preferences.

it's not important that we prefer hirez to vinyl; it's only important that we like it and enjoy it.

i listen to hirez digital mostly for convenience sake or when that is the only form for that particular music. when i'm reading, web-surfing, or too lazy/not in the mood to do vinyl. which for me is about 30%-40% of the time. so it's an important part of my musical menu.

hirez digital sounds great, and it does offer benefits. it is just fine and needs no apologies.
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