2. analog
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When does analog compete with digital?

With vinyl becoming all the rage, many believe (perhaps mistakenly) that a budget of $1K will allow them to bring their analog front end up to par with their digital. I would like a reasoned assessment of this issue.

How much time, money, and expertise do you think is necessary before one can seriously claim that their analog front end can compete with their digital? What characteristics, if any, are simply incommensurable between these two mediums? Let's use my system as an example.

Personally, I tried to build an analog front-end that focused on texture/warmth (as opposed to dynamics), but I still feel as though something is missing. Trouble is, I can't quite put my finger on it. I'd be grateful for comments/suggestions (system in sig)
jferreir

Showing 1 response by dertonarm

dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Analog and digital never actually were into any competition - at least not in terms of sonic performance. If one looks on the 3 decades of digital audio in evolution and its predictable future as flash memory and download as source, it is and always was no-demand-for-knowledge-and-convenience vs difficult- setup-and-fragile-performance-peak (burden with high demand on attention to detail and minute care).
Will you ever compare a Toyota Prius with a Mercedes 300 SLR ?
If you do, certainly not regarding pure driver's pleasure or peak performance on deserted highways.
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