When is digital going to get the soul of music?

Charles1dad, I never thought I would say that either. They are quite different, but digital has gotten quite close, if not ahead.

If as rumored, Sony transfers all it master tapes to quad DSD, master analog tapes will no longer be the definition of best. I'm soon to have a double DSD capable music server. No doubt quad DSD is some way off. But I'm moving to be prepared.

Guidocorona, hi long time no see. I think Schultz merely fines a smooth plating is needed and Rhodium allows it. I personally prefer berelium/copper but that has gotten hard to find in the US.

Digital itself is not the problem. As a medium it is (for the most part) neutral. Digital has opened up the doors to more processing, and what affects soul the most- the ability to fix it later. This putting off of decisions has affected the recording process greatly.
It can be avoided by producers who know what they're doing and the musicians. Digital itself isn't to blame- if you think it is, take your LP and convert it properly to digital. Play back in a blind A/B test and report the findings:)
Analog processing certainly helps paint a prettier picture on digital's neutral canvas.

Neo from Matrix may have answers on how to digitally sample the spirit!

Having just returned from the RMAF and again heard very musical reproduction of mono records, I think there is a clear difference between the best digital sound and the best vinyl sound. The first is very musical and the second can be very real sounding, as though you are there at the recording.

I bought my first cds in London in 1983. I had no cd player at the time. I can assure you that what I heard when I got my first Dual Audio toaster like cd player has been totally eclipsed today with my present double DSD playback system. Getting the digital filters well beyond 50 kHz has revealed much of the music that they previously obscured.