2. analog
  3. 192660-1647

Why do records made from digital sources sound good?

This question defeats my understanding.  If analog reproduction sounds better than digital, and my ears say that it usually does, how can a digital master, for example make for a better sounding record?  I also have a Sugar Cube, which removes pops and clicks from old or damaged records and it does this be making an instantaneous digital copy and editing out the noise.  And it works and the records sound quite listenable and the digital part is almost undetectable - emphasis on almost.  So can someone explain this to me?  Please no diatribes from fanatics about the virtues of analog and the evils of digital.  What would be appreciated is a technically competent explanation.

billstevenson

Showing 3 responses by kennyc

kennyc
1,755 posts
 

I believe that people who dis vinyl playback simply have not heard a really good system within a context that they are familiar with. 

Agree. Usually the best sonics are tape, vinyl, then digital.

@billstevenson - nice rig. I run a VPI Avenger, 4point and Schroeder CB-L, various top carts, VDH Grail SB phono.

When I was building my audio chain, I demoed the best I could find at brick n mortar and major audio shows.  Then I tried to recreate the sonics within my budget.  Wondering how many agoners actually demoed top systems to gear top sonics, I suspect very few “digital better than vinyl” have this experience as a reference.

kennyc
1,755 posts
 

@mahler123 Cartridges affect the sound a lot less than you suggest in this post!

+1 @atmasphere

kennyc
1,755 posts
 

@oberoniaomnia

In audio shows it’s common that poor hotel room conditions often makes the presentation sonic poor. But, if you go to enough shows you’ll at least get an idea how a speaker sounds. Plenty of great sounding speakers, but very few that personally resonated with me like Magico, MBL, and YG.

My other gear was purchased were mainly based on reviews to complete my audio chain. After establishing an audio chain it’s best to demo perspective future purchases in one’s own chain.

@billstevenson

Took me a long time to find a dealer I could trust. My very first visit to a high-end audio store met my high school friend who introduced me to GoldenEar and Parasound - I was gobsmacked at hearing 3D soundstage. Second store was pushy hard sale- pushed for a budget (which I had no clue in the beginning), then tried to sell me a meh sounding system. Took many years before I reached out to find a dealer I could trust - put my interest first.

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