2. digital
  3. 1229267259

CD has laid back and uninvolving sound

Hi folks, yesterday I listened again to vinyl. I conducted also a comparison between vinyl and CD. The most peculiar thing with CD is that the sound seems to be more laid back, distant and uninvolving. With vinyl the sound has more bloom, is less laid back and has more PRaT. To me this laid back and distant sonic character of CD is the most significant finding and bothers me quite a lot. How can I improve this? Btw, my digital front end: MBL 1621 transport + Accustic Arts Tube DAC. Would Wadia DAC (the old Wadia 9 or another classic Wadia) be better in rendering a more upfront and engaging sound (more PRaT)?

Chris
dazzdax
dazzdax OP
599 posts
 
Mapman: MBL 1621 transport - Accustic Arts Tube DAC - Accuphase C-290V preamplifier (with dedicated AD-290V phono unit) - JMF Audio HQS7001B power amplifiers (mono's) - Soundlab A-1 fullrange electrostatics. Turntable: Acoustic Solid with Fidelity Research FR-66S tonearm and Ortofon SPU 85 Anniversary cartridge.
I'll try the JMF Audio DXC2.2 D/A converter in the near future.

Chris
dazzdax OP
599 posts
 
Thanks for referring me to the Stereophile article Rodman. It is certainly true: digital bass is not the same as analog bass. Analog bass is more upbeat and full/warm sounding.

Hamburg: I think I don't want to try other tubes for the AA Tube DAC --> I don't think other tubes would change the sound alot. If other tubes would give a different sound then I'm afraid you are busy screwing up the tonal balance.

Chris
getheleadout
144 posts
 
I highly advise calling Kyle at Reference Audio Mods. After he gets through with your CD rig, I'm sure you'll be thorough satisfied.

I run a CEC TL-51X transport and Musical Fidelity XDAC V3, X-10V3 and XPSU. I had RAM modify (to the max) the CEC and XDAC a couple of years ago and am still blown away by the sound.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
I would agree that you are mostly describing the differences inherent in the two mediums, I don't think that this is at all "peculiar." Vinyl is going to have more dynamics than digital, and a more life-like sound ( and bloom is not a quality usually associated with digital at all) - this is mostly because of the different types of distortion inherent to the mediums. There has been plenty of discussion of these issues on this site recently. I would not assume something is wrong with your system - as others have said, your stuff has a good reputation.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
agree with tvad.
More to discover