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Is Digital actually better than Analog?

I just purchased an Esoteric DV-50s. The unit is fantastic in the sense that you can hear every detail very clearly in most recordings. Here is the thing, does it make for an enjoyable musical expereince? With this type of equipment, you can actually tell who can actually sing and who can really play. Some artist who I have really enjoyed in the past come across as, how shall I put it, not as talented. This causes almost a loss of enjoyment in the music.
Which comes to my Vinyl curiousity. I dont own a single record, but I have been curious why so many have kept the LP's (and tubes for that matter) alive for so long after the digital revolution and now I am thinking it is probably has to do with LP's being more laid back and maybe even more musical. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Would someone recommend going back to Analog. I was thinking of getting a entry level player like a Scout Master.
musicaudio

Showing 5 responses by aball

aball
2,018 posts
 
Not everyone is the same as you.
aball
2,018 posts
 
Shadorne - I say quality recording is dying because that is what the "powers that be" want. And ultimately the consumer doesn't care - and so it goes. We are both saying the same thing.
aball
2,018 posts
 
Hey I have a carburated car! I enjoy it very much - there is nothing quite like the sound of air rushing down the venturi pipes when you accelerate. Fuel injection sounds so mechanical and precise, regimented and digital.

Carburetors however sound so melodic and rich with the feel of real power and presence. I particularly like the bass which FI totally lacks - it is kind of bright and edgy in comparison. Actually, I should say kind of grainy and shut-in. Constricted even. Carburetors are all about the constant flow of air - none of this digital crap - so they don't have these drawbacks.

But then FI is so much more efficient and easy to use. Just plop in and go. Even on cranky days it just fires up as easily as ever. Carburators on the other hand, are tough to deal with. Gotta adjust this and adjust that and make sure everything is right and that you give it some time to start up and get to cruising speed before getting in the groove. It is a slow process that doesn't always work the first time, so the convenience suffers.

But oh the sound. And the nostalgia! Those are worth something, aren't they? However you will note that today, basically all cars are fuel injected. Such a shame that carubreted cars are becoming vintage collector's items and are increasingly more difficult to find today. Even I have succombed to having a fuel injected car as my daily driver. Time just seems to move that way.

Arthur
aball
2,018 posts
 
Detlof - Yes indeed, that is how I tweak my pair of 32/36 DGAV Webers in my BWM Bavaria 3.0. I have even done that for 6 sets of 45 DCOE Webers on a Lamborghini LP400S, among others. It is the easiest and best way I have found to do it.

Arthur
aball
2,018 posts
 
Brian - I agree with you. After my short-lived foray with analog, I have decided that I am better off simply finding good recordings to get an improvement in sound quality. I have come to the conclusion that many recording engineers don't have good hearing - and they just don't care. Getting something out fast is the main goal in our capitalistic world and I would say they are pressured to do just that (for the most part). Quantity is worth more than quality. Just look at iPods. I would much prefer hearing excellent quality music in the evening than mediocre quality music all day. But I suppose I am part of the minority. The art of making an excellent recording seems to be dying. But the mainstream doesn't care - heck, they don't even notice with their poor quality playback systems.

Arthur
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