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How much do I need to spend to make vinyl sound better than digital?

All,

I have a solid vinyl setup that I like to think of as entry-level “plus:” Project Debut Pro with Sumiko Moonstone cartridge.  I enjoy vinyl for the ritual but find that my digital gear - a $400 ifi streamer and the AKM DAC built into my Anthem preamp - beats the analog rig in most ways.  Far better imaging/soundstage and much tighter bass without the occasional distortion/sibilance/warbling of the vinyl rig.  I haven’t messed with cartridge setup other than to check the factory-performed alignment, which looks perfect.  The table is perfectly balanced, counterweight set correctly with an electronic scale, etc - so I have no reason to think there’s a setup problem.  
 

Is this par for the course for this level of vinyl gear?  What do I need to spend to get my vinyl gear to match the performance of decent digital?  I’m thinking of upgrading to a Clearaudio Concept, perhaps with a Hana SL cartridge, but I want to make sure doing that is going to deliver a fundamentally different experience than what I have right now with the Project/Sumiko combination.

 

No interest in flame wars or rehashing the vinyl/digital debate.  I know vinyl can sound wonderful and am simply trying to decide whether I can afford the price of entry for a system that can gets the basics right (no audible distortion/sibilance, decent imaging).  I thought the Project/Sumiko would have gotten me there, but for whatever reason it hasn’t fit the bill.Thanks for any insights. 

lousyreeds1
r27y8u92
55 posts
 

I have ca. 1,000 LPs. I got from mostly "Everyday Music". 50c each. So, ~$500.

I cannot say possession of $150,000 is stupid, but also I refrain to say that was wise.

The 1,000 LPs give me really emotional music pleasure. I can say this is wise.

arnieco
8 posts
 

I spent 7k. CA performance dc hana ml (low output).

detail is amazing,

small acoustic ensembles are any vinyl’s strength.

FWIW i only by vinyl from analog masters, so most purchases from discogs.

Although there are people that swear that digital in vinyl sounds wonderful as well.

 

 

strawj's avatar
strawj
85 posts
 

Note to Lousyreeds1: Vinyl & Dig to do right are actually two different hobbies. To do both right is extremely expensive. One can dabble in one or the other of course but to get into the weeds on both at once and listen to any music takes a lot of time and money. 

Best JS

noromance's avatar
noromance
10,177 posts
 

Yes.

How much do I need to spend to make vinyl sound better than digital?

facten
2,968 posts
 

@r27y8u92 "I have ca. 1,000 LPs. I got from mostly "Everyday Music". 50c each. So, ~$500."

Interesting, their Discogs website indicates that they have 3280 vinyl records, only 55 under $5, and none below $3.99

"If you like any music record which is not available as digital form, then you have no choice, and have to play LP records. And, you need to spend some reasonable money to get decent sound (music)."  "The 1,000 LPs give me really emotional music pleasure. I can say this is wise."   

These statements seem to contradict one another, as well as, the very first statement   as you stated that you only paid an average of $.50.

 

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