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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 hilde45

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hilde45
5,257 posts
 

Digital recordings are much more uniform.

My experience has been the opposite. They vary greatly.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,257 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

I always recommend you do a few minutes of analytical listening, but quickly switch to listening to the music and not the equipment… this will allow your subconscious latch on to the equipment which gives you the greater emotional connection… moves you.

Very sage advice. Reminds me of Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

The tricky part is that the listening to music part (the feeling, romantic part) then must be taken back up into the classic part (analysis) in order to play a role in the audiophile decision. Ouroboros, all the way down. 

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