Does Anyone Think CD is Better Than Vinyl/Analog?


I am curious to know if anyone thinks the CD format (and I suppose that could include digital altogether) sounds better than vinyl and other analog formats. Who here has gone really far down both paths and can make a valid comparison? So far, I have only gone very far down the CD path and I just keep getting blown away by what the medium is capable of! I haven’t hit a wall yet. It is extremely dependent on proper setup, synergy and source material. Once you start getting those things right, the equipment gets out of the way and it can sound more fantastic than you can imagine! It’s led me to start developing a philosophy that goes something like this: Digital IS “perfect sound forever”; it’s what we do to the signal between the surface of the CD and the speaker cone that compromises it.” 
So I suppose what I’m asking for is stories from people who have explored both mediums in depth and came to the conclusion that CD has the most potential (or vice versa - that’s helpful too). And I don’t simply mean you’ve spent a lot of money on a CD player. I mean you’ve tinkered and tweaked and done actual “research in the lab,” and came back with a deep understanding of the medium and can share those experiences with others.

In my experience, the three most important things to get right are to find a good CD player (and good rarely means most expensive in my experience) and then give it clean power. In my case, I have modified my CD player to run off battery power with DC-DC regulators. The last thing that must be done right is the preamp. It’s the difference between “sounds pretty good” and “sounds dynamic and realistic.”
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Vinyl has a signature tone and a unique sonic sound that cannot be duplicated by a digital format. Simply cannot recreate the needle on the record digitally, but many artists have tried - including the fantastic "vinyl experience" digital tracks from Beck's Morning Phase album. 

I have been competing DAC's vs Vinyl for some 10 years now and have gone through a fair amount of equipment as a hobby. Every time I think I am close to eclipsing the sound of vinyl with my DAC; I upgrade my turntable. Followed by a DAC upgrade and so on.. So I have upgraded both my DAC and turntable about 4-5 times.

Currently, I have a Pro-Ject 9 and a Bifrost Sigma Delta USBGen5 DAC with a Yggdrasil on the way, so you can see where this is leading..

My gut feeling is that as long as I can afford to build both my digital and vinyl libraries, I will do so. But if I had to give one up, it would have always been and always will be the DAC. Vinyl carries a tone that nearly all listeners in my room would appreciate as more realistic sounding. Digital will never favored in my book. 

This is what I believe. Unless, I can change my mind! ;)


I have one huge problem with LP's. It turns out that I'm allergic to the sleeves! Yes, I've had sinus issues for years. Once I traveled to London to hang out with a fellow collector, see London and hit every record store I could in 10 days time. I couldn't make it seven days without major sinus issues. I stopped listening to records maybe 15 years ago mostly because of time limitations. My sinuses were never better. I just went through a house move and wouldn't you know. Moving the records made my sinuses go crazy. What to do? Joe
As can be seen from most of the above comments, each system has advantages, however, in a High Resolution System the most important thing is the Quality of the RECORDING!

To this end, all factors of sound reproduction come into play, to optomize the sound Quality of that original recording, including:

~ Noise Level
~ Dynamic Range
~ Frequency Response
~ Timber
~  Holographic Sound
~  Bass Slam 
~ More

Now, as most Recordings one can purchase, contain very similar sound within them, Digital gets the nod, as one can Pick & Choose that which they like from a large selection & Mix a CD or digital File containing a Mix of their Favorite Cuts!

I have made 5 CD's from my Favorite Cuts, (from about 250 CD's that I own), Each with 14 Cuts per CD & have not resorted to my CD collection for several years.  

Try it, you will like it!
I like newer music on a newer format, I like older music on an older format.. I like all music on Reel To Reel..

I like newer music on SS, I like older music in Valve (tube) units.

I like the best music on SS and Valve gear via Reel to Reel.. The problem is where to find the tapes, OR how to make them..

Analog for me.. BUT I stream more than anything.. I’m a conflicted fellow, I guess. Today anyways.. Might change tomorrow.. I'm flexible..

Regards