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Why does Computers - Amp - Speakers sound better?

I have a budget system. Denon turntable, Shure cartridge, NAD integrated amp, and Wharfedale speakers. For some reason, computer -> amp -> speakers sounds SO MUCH BETTER than turntable/cartridge -> amp -> speakers, even when the source file on the computer is 256 kbps mp3.

I don't know why this is. It would make sense if my amp and speakers were leagues above my turntable or if the source file was in 320 or FLAC, but that's not the case. 256 kbps should not sound better than high quality vinyl of music from the past five years (i.e. not mastered from bad tapes).

Is my turntable or my cartridge (or both) inferior to my other equipment? Also, I'm using Monoprice cables for my computer ---> amp and off-brand cables for turntable ---> amp. Could that be why?

thank you. The reason why this bothers me is because I spent over 1000$ on my vinyl (not just for the better sound, but because I'm deeply involved with the new-wave punk scene) and $400 on my turntable/cartridge and it bothers me that a low-quality file produces better sound.
toxicwaterfront

Showing 3 responses by realremo

realremo
460 posts
 
My first thought is you need a good phono pre-amp, one better than the internal phono stage in the NAD, but I'm not a vinyl guy. I agree, 256K rips shouldn't sound better than your vinyl rig. How are you getting the signal from the computer to the amp? Are you comparing vinyl and 256K verions of the same song?
realremo
460 posts
 
I'm still curious to hear how you are getting your 256k files to your speakers. Your NAD doesn't have an internal DAC, does it? That means you must be using an external DAC. Are you using Mac or PC? Optical or USB? Do you use a USB/SPDIF converter? You've detailed out what gear you have on the vinyl-based side, it would help to hear what you're using on the digital side. Just to get the full big picture, thanks.
realremo
460 posts
 
regarding cost of the digital front end, I have about $900 in mine, *not including the laptop.* I still plan to buy an upgraded USB/SPDIF converter within the next 3-4 months, that will bring it up to about $1300-$1500.
I actually did do a comparison, vinyl/digital, in my system, a friend brought over his budget turntable and we had a shoot out. He didn't like my Halo P3's phono stage, so we ran his single-ended outputs into the direct inputs on my pre. The vinyl front end was very enjoyable, considering the cost difference! We put his vinyl 'obscured by clouds' up against my recent digital re-master of the same album, and I really didn't prefer one or the other. But convenience won over eventually, we got tired of flipping plastic discs, and started picking music on the iPad...
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