I've thought about this subject too. It's hard to draw a conclusion because you could spend similar amounts of money on digital and analog and windup in the same place or drastically different places. Further, spending smart and finding synergy can reap huge awards. All of that creates noise for me in the logic of the original post subject.
I will say though, assuming purchases and integration are taken seriously there is a point where analog starts doing things that digital doesn't do or not as well.
I do subscribe to the wise ones' view that digital and analog are just different, and it's not a zero sum game.
Different though can be very intoxicating and compelling. A friend popped by last night. He's got a mainstream all digital system that he had configured. He says with the house integration he's got $50k minimum in it. I've heard it many times. It sounds really pleasant.
He asked to hear my system. I first played digital (Roon -) Tube DAC). Later, when he requested Dark Side of the Moon (felt a bit shopworn, but still a classic), he said, "Woah, I get it." Then he struggled to define what he liked about vinyl.
Point is, I think he was responding positively to a careful put together analog rig, as it was doing things so differently than he was used to.
+1 jjss49-- each delivers its own lovely experience and unique benefits
What a great time for audiophiles!
I will say though, assuming purchases and integration are taken seriously there is a point where analog starts doing things that digital doesn't do or not as well.
I do subscribe to the wise ones' view that digital and analog are just different, and it's not a zero sum game.
Different though can be very intoxicating and compelling. A friend popped by last night. He's got a mainstream all digital system that he had configured. He says with the house integration he's got $50k minimum in it. I've heard it many times. It sounds really pleasant.
He asked to hear my system. I first played digital (Roon -) Tube DAC). Later, when he requested Dark Side of the Moon (felt a bit shopworn, but still a classic), he said, "Woah, I get it." Then he struggled to define what he liked about vinyl.
Point is, I think he was responding positively to a careful put together analog rig, as it was doing things so differently than he was used to.
+1 jjss49-- each delivers its own lovely experience and unique benefits
What a great time for audiophiles!