Tough question to answer in any meaningful way because there is such diversity in sound quality with each medium itself. Analog is not inherrently warm, full, and round sounding. Digital is not necessarily lean. Rather than to argue the differences let me recount a recent experience resulting from a purchase of a new CDP.
For background I've been using a BAT DK5 and a CAL Alpha/Delta for years. The CAL is absolutely wonderful on closely miked stuff such as vocals and small jazz groups. But with the Delta transport it is soft and rolled in the highs and lows. The BAT is more linear, a bit warm thru the mid range which itself is a bit recessed (in my system). I have an old Oracle/Benz Glider TT/Cartridge set up which I much prefer on those few occasions that I put on a LP. (I primarily listen for music regardless of source). The analog system just seems smoother and more natural to me.
I get my new CDP and plug it in. Etched highs, dry mid range, not too pleasant to listen to. Clearly needs a breakin. So, just for fun 'during the break in process' I connect its digital out to an old CAL Sigma II I had laying about. Now I've known from prior experimenting that transports can make a difference, which I attributed to interconnect, jitter, etc, but.....was I surprised!
With the CAL the music was incredibly dynamic both speed wise and lacking compression (in comparison to anything I have heard in my house), smooth yet very detailed. The bass was absolutely crunching. The highs were very detailed but not etched, and the mid-range warm yet not thick. Hell, I may never listen to the CDP thru its own DAC section (oh, yeh! Actually, its been running now since Friday night and sounding better each day). I actually prefer this new sound to any of my other analog or digital stuff!
This experience has me re-thinking some long held assumptions. The conclusion I have reached is rather humbling. That is, if you haven't heard everything, you really don't know what is possible. Best to keep an open mind. :-)
For background I've been using a BAT DK5 and a CAL Alpha/Delta for years. The CAL is absolutely wonderful on closely miked stuff such as vocals and small jazz groups. But with the Delta transport it is soft and rolled in the highs and lows. The BAT is more linear, a bit warm thru the mid range which itself is a bit recessed (in my system). I have an old Oracle/Benz Glider TT/Cartridge set up which I much prefer on those few occasions that I put on a LP. (I primarily listen for music regardless of source). The analog system just seems smoother and more natural to me.
I get my new CDP and plug it in. Etched highs, dry mid range, not too pleasant to listen to. Clearly needs a breakin. So, just for fun 'during the break in process' I connect its digital out to an old CAL Sigma II I had laying about. Now I've known from prior experimenting that transports can make a difference, which I attributed to interconnect, jitter, etc, but.....was I surprised!
With the CAL the music was incredibly dynamic both speed wise and lacking compression (in comparison to anything I have heard in my house), smooth yet very detailed. The bass was absolutely crunching. The highs were very detailed but not etched, and the mid-range warm yet not thick. Hell, I may never listen to the CDP thru its own DAC section (oh, yeh! Actually, its been running now since Friday night and sounding better each day). I actually prefer this new sound to any of my other analog or digital stuff!
This experience has me re-thinking some long held assumptions. The conclusion I have reached is rather humbling. That is, if you haven't heard everything, you really don't know what is possible. Best to keep an open mind. :-)