Most "Non-Digital" Sounding CDP

A $37k MBL Transport and DAC front end is about as close to analogue as I have heard. It made the Capitole II sound well... not-so-good (it better for over four times the price).

Anyway, most 16 bit digital just does not sound at all like decent vinyl. My digital sounds very, very good (Ayre CX-7), but when I play my Rega P9 Turntable, my digital pales in comparison.... It is not even funny.

I am becoming more and more convinced that 16bit digital (ANY 16bit digital) can not EVER sound like vinyl. Even the MBL gear I stated above, I am willing to bet if I had a $10k turntable setup in that reference system, the turntable would blow away the $37k MBL gear.

KF

Marakanetz, aside from the price, the $37k MBL combo is the most analogue sounding digital I have ever heard. It is flat out the best sounding digital I have ever heard. But I still think that $10k of phono could make it sound like so-so.

My point is that if you want a source that does not sound digital, get a turntable setup. If you want to listen to digital, get a good digital setup. Off of sheer sound quality 16bit CD digital I do not think is ever going to topple vinyl. SACD may one day.... and whatever surpasses SACD, may exceed vinyl as well.... But this is sheer speculation.

There is a definite reason vinyl has been with us so long.

KF