Why didn't I sell my vinyl rig?


I've recently moved heavily into streaming and digital playback.  That system's core is the Denafrips Terminator Plus DAC with an Innuos Zenith Mk 3 / Phoenix USB.  Just added a LHY Audio SW-8 ethernet switch. Great cables all the way around. By most standards this is a reasonable mix of gear.  I run the Innuos Sense App as it sounds better than Roon. Love the convenience of digital and infinite supply of tunes from Qobuz.  My problem is this.  My vinyl rig generally sounds better.  Sometimes by a wide margin. Do others with both rigs have the same problem?

128x128skinzy

For me & my system, the battle between vinyl and bits is essentially neck-and-neck. On the occasions when I let my analytical side rule and do side-by-side comparisons between what I have on vinyl and what I dig up from Qobuz or Idagio, it can go either way.  This is true even when I'm comparing audio-nerd concerns such as soundstaging and slam. Even orchestral string tone is closely fought.

Based on equipment for both sources, I'd expect comparison to be much closer. I can't see anything that stands out as great liability in either. I do know the XP27 is standout phono, was going to be my choice for phono until nice deal on Thoress phono came along. Network improvements are possible but unlikely to close the gulf you're speaking of. You may have to upgrade to top tier streamer to bridge gulf, you'd have to go here in order to beat what is already nice streaming setup.

I find my vinyl rig sounds better but not by a large margin. I also have more money in my vinyl rig. I wonder if I spent equally on the digital side if it would even out . I use digital merely for the convenience and accessibility. I enjoy vinyl much more. 

You're right about cost difference.  I recently upgraded my entire vinyl setup along with the digital.  Spent 3 times as much on vinyl.  Found the greatest improvement with the DAC. It might be that a DCS based digital system, for example, could take it to a more competitive position. On the other hand many great recordings on vinyl just "feel" better with more energy and emotion.  On the other hand my ears were "weaned" on vinyl over 60 years ago.  Perhaps that's the difference?

Go 10g with your transceivers for your FMC and you will be there.