Madman! Digital vs Vinyl

Michael Fremer is always insisting vinyl is better, but he’s got $50k rigs with $25k+ phono preamps.  Especially with lacquers.

But I’m wondering whether there’s a large population of commonly available vinyls that have superior SQ when compared with equal $ digital setups.

Michael Fremer is always insisting vinyl is better, but he’s got $50k rigs with $25k+ phono preamps.  Especially with lacquers.

But I’m wondering whether there’s a large population of commonly available vinyls that have superior SQ when compared with equal $ digital setups.

The Madman included on Qobuz Tumbleweed Connection Deluxe Edition is a totally different performance and much better engineered recording than the one on the Madman Across the Water album on Qubuz.

If you’ve never listened to it, you’re in for a treat

I ask because I‘ve got a $5k TT with a $2k cartridge on it and am trying to figure out whether it’s worth investing in a really good phono preamp or not.

Based on responses so far, I’m thinking maybe not.

I appreciate everyone’s thoughts on this.  This leads to a related question.  Given that the age of the vinyl stamper impacts the SQ of a given copy of an LP significantly, wouldn’t it be true that if you stick with a single digital source, e.g., Qobuz through Roon, you’ll on average get better SQ than the LP copies you happen to have in your collection?

My speakers are very revealing GR-Research NX-Oticas with sub.  TT is Well Tempered Reference with rebuilt Lyra Clavis.  Schiit Freya pre with monoblock Aegirs. Currently building an Elekit TU-9600S 300B tube amp. Gryphon silver cables.  Transparent phono cables from TT to phonostage.

Phono's I'm considering, Herron if I could find one, PS Audio Stellar phono or Bob's devices SUT plus Sunvalley phono.