Analog vs. digital

@vonhelmholtz 

+1

Yes, this is that time when depending on exactly what you get can determine whether analog or digital sounds better. A great time to rejoice as for so long digital just couldn’t touch analog at any cost level.

@charles1dad 

@lalitk 

+1

The components rendering the sound determine output, not the storage format… well, unless it is really low resolution (MP3).

It is completely dependent on your components. While in the past analog provided a definite advantage that could not be duplicated… so there was an “analog” and “digital” sound, and resolution wise analog just blew away digital.

All that is different now. Depending on you price range and components ala,go and digital can sound exactly the same of one can exceed the other.

I currently own the best system I have ever owned. I carefully crafted it in light of my decades of experience pursuing the high end. Both the analog and digital ends have exactly the same sound quality (see my UserID). This is by having the same brand and level of Audio Research amp, preamp, Phonostage, and DAC. Also, I carefully chose my cartridge to reflect my preferences as far as sound quality.

Both the analog and digital have very very similar levels of detail. The recording would determine if one sounded better than the other. Recently I upgraded the tone area and sub chassis on my turntable. This allowed the turntable to pull ahead on many recordings. But if I am not paying attention I can perk up and be amazed at the level of detail, thinking it is the turntable, and find it is streaming. This allows continued happy surprises from both sides.

If I was downing this again… this would be my goal… well, if I was starting now I would skip analog. Although at inexpensive levels… say systems <$10K, analog is a real bargain. And if you have absolutely no budget restraints in system >$250 K you need to spend quite a bit more on digital to equal the performance of analog. But in between these you can choose the same performance or adjust one better than the other.

@deludedaudiophile 

+1. Don’t forget that we have not landed on the moon also.

It takes a while to evaluate all your components. I would say your values favor digital. The word etched is something I think of in systems focused on details at all costs. While analog can give incredible detail… this is at much higher levels of investment. Typically at your level of investment analog will win on naturalness… musicality… more so than details. Given your tastes, perhaps you would have to go for a much higher level of investment in analog. But, probably not worth it given what you value. My analog end is wonderfully detailed and musical… more detailed than my digital end. However, both digital and analog ends on my system are ~$45K. 

@coltrane1 

😄… yes.