Old records.

One final observation. The inequity between vinyl and digital seems to be more noticeable in classical records. In popular. Jazz, folk, rock, etc. the SQ is at least as sharp as digital. It’s with classical that I notice a less detailed presentation.

Just a little fiddling with the anti-skating, and now (with increased volume) good records sound at least on a par with digital!   
 Who would have thought such a tiny adjustment to the anti-skating would make such a big difference.

Dweller,

interesting that you should say that. My dealer said the same thing.

it’s just that it gets too loud sometimes.

It seems to be working!  
‘Can’t explain why it didn't before.

Coltrane1,

 I have that exact device.  Perhaps I should use it more.

Vintage recapped preamp.  No remote😩

I’m currently dumbfounded and relieved.  
I spent a lot on putting a decent analog side together not that long ago, and have been less that thrilled with it ever since.  It never lived up to what i hoped and expected..

 I think finally now it’s reached it’s full potential.

Interestingly, when I compare Reiner’s RCA .5 mastering LP of the Mousorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition it sonically blows away the Idagio stream of the same performance.  But this is a rarity.  Normally the Idagio streams sound better in comparison to LPs.

@lewm

Sorry for the confusing time parameters.  You’re quite right that I can’t have heard the majority of my 3000 records, but I did play a fair sampling.

@dweller ​​​​@pindac 

I do use a cleaning machine.  Perhaps not the best.  I believe the records have been damaged through the years from old and worn out styli.

@lewm

i actually agree with you. Those old records that are not worn often do sound better than new releases. Especially those from the ‘60s and early 70s.

I’m beginning to think that my problem with analog is that I’m looking for it to have the same qualities as digital in terms of immediacy and accuracy. The two formats are indeed quite different.  If I listen to analog for the music and don’t get in the analytical mode it all becomes clearer.  The music indeed does come through but in a different way.

The other thought that occurs to me is that I have an old Conrad-Johnson (recapped by CJ) tube amplifier which matches wonderfully with my super accurate Benchmark equipment. Perhaps the mellowness of the CJ is just not a good match for the analog.

I realize my preceding comments are somewhat contradictory. Maybe I’m thinking too hard.

I think the consensus here is that records are maddeningly inconsistent.