Vinyl vs. top-notch digital


I have never had an analogy rig. My CD player is a Meridian 800, supposedly one of the very best digital players out there. From what I've read, it appears there is a consensus in our community that a high-quality analog rig playing a good pressing will beat a top notch digital system playing a well-recorded and mastered CD. So here are my questions:

1) How much would one have to invest in analog to easily top the sound quality of the Meridian 800 (or similar quality digital player)? (Include in this the cost of a phono-capable preamp; my "preamp" right now is a Meridian 861 digital surround processor.)

2) How variable is the quality of LPs? Are even "bad" LPs still better than CD counterparts?

Thank you for any comments and guidance you can provide.
jeff_arrington

Showing 6 responses by sdrsdrsdr

I used to listen to CD and vinyl equally for many years. Although I always thought my turntable sounded better,  I really enjoyed my CD player too. Very similar to what Mikel stayed about his digital. I then sold my CD player about 6 years ago and only use the turntables. I now get little satisfaction from anything digital. I think if I got used to it again I might hear it in a pleasing way again. My point is I understand you can enjoy  digital as much as analog, and love it, if that is what your regularly listening to. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Nothing inferior about loving digital if you are a digital listener as I once was. 
Yes. For people that can’t hear past the ticks and pops, digital would be the better choice. As with many others, I’ve learned to be  able to tune out the noise and just focus on the music. If you’re  able to do this, vinyl I believe will always be preferred. I wonder why some people aren’t capable of this and some are. I found that it takes time. Maybe the digital only listeners just didn’t give it enough time. I’ve never heard this phenomenon discussed, it probably has been though, how we can train our brains to filter this noise from our records. 
Yes. 1/4” tape. I’ve never heard any debate from the vinyl crowd on which is more superior, many discussions though. All seem to agree that tape is the best. I don’t know if this is also the same consensus the digital crowd shares too.
@millercarbon
Your last post, I didn’t understand what you meant. Sorry but I have to ask. Did you agree with me or was that a disagree. Either way. All good.
@mikelavigne 
Wow. That’ sounds  like an impressive sounding  vinyl setup you have now. I heard tape at your place many years ago and was very impressed. That was my only real experience with hearing tape. I always thought 1/4” tape was regarded as superior to vinyl. Very cool. I stand corrected.
Steve.
Vancouver, B.C.
@mijostyn

Comparing analog to digital cell phones has got to be one of the worst examples for argument I’ve heard yet.