Digital has pretty much closed the gap with Analog, for all intents and purposes. I would argue that you can only tell the differences in direct side by side comparisons. Quite frankly, only the reviewers have time for that.
I had a chance to hear a Reel to Reel tape recording of Harry Belafonte, Live at Carnegie Hall at RMAF. They were demonstrating it in the Playback Designs Room and comparing it with their MPD-3 CD Player/DAC. The tape still sounded better, but not by a whole lot. The tape seemed to have better dynamics and jump factor. One could argue that they are different, but not necessarily better.
I had a chance to hear a Reel to Reel tape recording of Harry Belafonte, Live at Carnegie Hall at RMAF. They were demonstrating it in the Playback Designs Room and comparing it with their MPD-3 CD Player/DAC. The tape still sounded better, but not by a whole lot. The tape seemed to have better dynamics and jump factor. One could argue that they are different, but not necessarily better.