Is Digital actually better than Analog?

...what exactly is needed to make a system sound live

A reasonable simulation would be very low noise floor & very high dynamics...
...but, OTOH, I don't expect a system to sound like live music. Live music would not be my reference (as it isn't yours). Rather, reproducing the medium would be a better /more reliable and palpable reference point.

In the rare cases where a reproduction is such that it creates spontaneous involvement, there is some magic. Sometimes, when the Gods are smiling, there is a lot of energy coming out of my spkrs (relatively speaking, of course) and the effect of a live recording (even average recordings) is lovely.

Cheers to Gregm, a voice of reason.

To those debating multi-channel and 2-channel, would it not depend entirely on the recording anyway? If I have a piano and a cello playing in a small room similar to the one I sit in, the instruments resemble the point sources of my speakers, in which case, if the recording is close-miked, my listening point in my room will resemble the place I might sit in the room with live music. In which case the reflections of the performance room match those in my room, which means I have duplicated the live experience quite faithfully using a two-channel set-up. And if my room is bad, then I have listened to a stellar live performance in a really bad venue, I won't necessarily do much better with the same thing in my room.

By the same token, I like the concept of multi-channel for the idea that reproduction of the ambient reflections offers spatial cues to give you a "you are there" feeling. That said, it would obviously work best on recordings where there is non-negligible ambient/reflective sound, and is probably best reproduced listening nearfield in an anechoic chamber. As I am neither convinced that most 2-channel recordings contain equal ambient cues, nor do I happen to have an anechoic chamber at home, I will stick with my humble 2-channel digital and analog system which pleases me just fine... though I am sure I could use some bass traps... :^)

Hey Matt54321: Thanks for that. I have to put the hobby on hold for awhile because I moved into a new place, of course good old Security Deposit and first months rent has crippled the finanaces for this month. I was talking to one guy who told me not to go to Vinyl because he asked me how many new releases are being released onto vinyl and he also told me that with records, every time you play a song, it puts wear on the record which affects the sound quality. I guess he meant that the needle wears out the record a little everytime you play it? , dont think I have heard of this before? Has anybody else?

Greg,

As you can imagine I have a motive for my question and I appreciate what you have to say. Maybe your post will help
me clarify what I want from my question. I want the fundamentals on how I can buy a "live" real music lovers system. When you say low noise floor what's the signal to noise ratio 50DB, 100dB, and high dynamics what dB do you suspect would cover "high dynamics" in a medium sized room. Because I need to be able to shop for that "low noise floor" and "high dynamics" as Raul pointed out you can't even trust a dealer with a $500,000 system to do it correctly. So it would be great to eliminate some of the possibilities before I go shopping.

As you highlight I think it is erroneous to think a recording will sound "Live" with out manipulation in someone's listening room. But what is that magic manipulation? Raul's got it and I, m hoping he will share to elevate me to his level. I need to be told what to do with my system to make it a Real music lovers system, I think I have a pretty decent two channel system but i could be doing it all wrong.

"A reasonable simulation would be very low noise floor & very high dynamics..."

Would you feel comfortable saying that the equipment I have listed would or would not achieve this?

"What is the difference between movie sound and music sound"

Case closed ...