A lot has to do with Who mixes the recording ,For example Alan Parsons did a lot for the Beatles and they sound very respectable, also good companies and single miked recordings make big difference and use Vacuum tube recording stations.
a record can only put out maximum 12 bits when roughly 21 bits is actually possible ,without estimating and adding resampling. That is why I mentionedGood ladder dacs or proprietary like DCS .Big bucks though.
the Denafrips dacs sound like good analog as digital does in good dacs.
Digital does ,better dynamic range, lower bass, better S/N ratio, and yes has a reel to reel sound without being too warm or Too soft. Best for value money spent if looking for a analog detailed sound look at Denafrips , their Terminator everyone knows
the $800 Ares -2 awards everywhere under $900 beats dacs 3-4xthe $$.
the Pontus I just bought ,sold my Schiit Yggsdrasil is noticably better still at $1800 and wil beat Any turntable setup in the $5-6k range in many areas I have heard, just do a search . They have dacs 3 better still ,$6400 max and you would never look back .with these even older recordings sound better , not etched and cold.
