2. digital
  3. 1387884759

The quest

I have a question that may or not be easy to answer: are all efforts to improve digital music just a quest to achieve the quality of sound of the good and old LP? I keep reading expressions like "an almost analog quality" and similar things. Is digital sound just a more convenient means to store and play music that one day may reach the sound qualities of LPs, or we can reasonably expect one day to hear a really more natural ("better") sound from digital sources?
tvfreak

Showing 4 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
The dynamics from digital can exceed that possible from vinyl. With vinyl, the mass of the moving parts in the cartridge and the grooves are the ultimate limitation.

The other analog qualities of Vinyl, like vocal smoothness can be duplicated with digital, but it requires very low jitter and low noise from the components. These components don't come cheap, but they are available.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Geoffkait - precisely why I don't use a CD spinner anymore. Computer audio done right is far superior. Some newer spinners are more like computer audio such as the Perfect Wave Transport, so they don't suffer as much from these maladies.

However the primary problem with digital is jitter, followed closely by poor digital filters. Both of these can be fixed in good digital designs.

Other system problems are quite common to both vinyl and digital systems, including: Ground-loop HF noise, preamp and/or DAC compression, noise and distortion. These can limit the performance of either type of system. These are the reason why there is so much variation in the experiences of different posters to these forums, even with the same format, component or cable. These are systems, and anything in the system can affect the SQ. Its the sum of the parts.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Nonoise - Here are a couple of rooms voted best of show at RMAF 2013 that used computers or servers:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120535.msg1267552#msg1267552

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120535.msg1267553#msg1267553

Tyson and Jason are the most objective reviewers out there. The play multiple tracks each to compare systems in almost every room.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Nonoise - there were good computer audio rooms at Newport for the past 2 years also. My own room at Newport in 2013 was rated by Stereophile (JA) as one of the best:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/empirical-audio-vapor-audio

http://www.stereophile.com/content/another-opening-another-show

JA also liked my room in 2012:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/empirical-audio

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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