The character of analog and digital


Having just obtained some high quality analogue components, I want make some comments on the character of both analog and digital.
First of all it’s very difficult to speak of analog in general. Records vary widely (indeed wildly) in sonic character and quality. Digital recordings are much more uniform. When you play a digital file you more or less know what your getting. Of course some sound better than others, but there is a consistency of character. With records, it’s the Wild West. Variation in SQ and character are rampant.


Therefore it becomes very difficult to make generalizations on which categorically sounds better.

rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by facten

@charles1dad "

And yet digital can be all of that. If the listeners were not engage or interested in listening to the CDs, could simply reflect the digital hardware not up to the task. Fortunately I haven’t experienced this let down with digital sourced audio components if there’re up to snuff."

I totally agree Charles. Back in August I visited Gestalt Audio in Nashville to audition some equipment. While there Colin (the owner of GA) set for me a listening baseline by cueing up some tracks on his TW Acustic vinyl rig, wonderful engaging sound. Then in the same system I listened to a Neodio Origine S2 CD player, and then the combination of Tron Electric's top of the line Atlantic GTT DAC and an Aurrender streamer (I don't recall the model number)  as its source. Both of the digital setups were thoroughly engaging, tone, timber, resolution, etc in spades. I will honestly state that to my ears the vinyl edged both out, but it was very close. I'd be surprised if open minded folks, including significant others,  listening to this very comparable/complimentary equipment would walk away stating that there was a significant difference between the sound; having a preference for whichever  one over the other certainly. I now have the Neodio in my main system.

 

 

@lalitk Thank you for the comments, yes very pleased with the Neodio.  The Daedalus also sound very good with my Line Magnetic and Finale Audio integrated amps .

When I was at Gestalt the Wolf Langa’s were out for audition so I did not hear them. Check with grannyring, I believe that he is getting, or may now have, the Son. The Cessaro’s were great sounding fronted by a Frontiers Audio amp no matter what the source was; I’d happily own them if I was in the market for speakers.

I hope that you have a good visit; Colin makes it a good experience. And, I found him a pleasure to interact not only during my visit but also via prior and post visit transactions conducted via phone/email