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On the Fence with Analog Vs. Digital. Need Help

Out of the blue I've been considering switching to vinyl. Most likely the reason for this is that my digital source is only an NAD T532 DVD player (ran into 2 NAD C 272 amps, NAD C162 Preamp or Adcom GFP-750 Preamp, Paradigm Studio 60 v3). The sound to me has been relatively harsh and just does not sound natural. My friend also let me borrow his Cambridge Audio Acur D540 player; it has its strengths against the T532, but can still sound bright and edgy. Granted neither of these players are ones to base a good overall analysis of digital sound reproduction on, the prospect of smooth fully analog sound is interesting to me. I've heard LPs before, but only on sub-par playback systems where the albums sounded grainy. So now the question is: do I spend $500 on a new Music Hall MMF-5 turntable and start investing in an entirely new music collection (I own about 3 LPs) to get this smooth sound that I am seeking, or is there a modestly priced CD player or external DAC out there that can achieve a smooth, lifelike sound with my current set up?

I've considered going with an external DAC and a computer-based album storage solution, but from what I've been reading and from what I've noticed listening to more expensive CD players ($3000+), it seems as though you really need to get up around that price range before digital begins to sound smoother and more analog. Right now I don't have $3000 to drop on a DAC/CD Player; it's a little easier to come up with the $500 for the Music Hall and gradually build the LP collection. So that's my dilema. I'm so close to saying "screw digital" and just taking the plunge. I might like, I might hate. Who knows.
jwglista

Showing 2 responses by ablang

ablang
165 posts
 
Jwglista: It's hard to argue with vinyl sounding great, which it does, but if buying a vinyl rig and all that goes with it won't solve the problem you're having right now--unpleasant digital playback--you may (and I speak from my own experience) find yourself enjoying records but still missing all the good music on your CDs. The DAC suggestion is a good one, or an investment in a better stand-alone CD player. This idea has been batted around a bit on this forum already, but if you want to try a smoother sounding CDP, a Playstation One for about $25 is as cheap an experiment as you can get. If you find its more laid-back presentation suits you, you could then look for a "real" player or DAC with those attributes--or just keep the Playstation. Me, I'm on the Playstation train and loving my CD collection again. Vinyl's still vinyl, but why not get the most out of the music you have before pursuing another format?
ablang
165 posts
 
Jwglista: I bought the Playstation One because I was saving my few pennies for a CD player I wouldn't be able to afford for a good while, and in the meantime all of my CDs were sitting practically unlistened to because I couldn't stand the harsh treble glare I thought just went with the territory of digital. $25 didn't seem like too much to part with, so I tried it--and it's impressive. People compare it to $5000 dollar players--6moons does, anyhow--and while I don't know that that's true, it does play music beautifully. I said it has a laid-back sound, but to my ears that isn't at the expense of detail: it's simply well-balanced, vivid, dynamic and if anything more tonally realistic in its portrayal than many of other "detail"-oriented players I've heard. If you want something other than a cheap gray plastic box, the Paradisea DAC or another "analogue-like" player could be a good bet--PS Audio DAC, Rega, Jolida, Eastern Electric, etc. I haven't heard all of those, but they're the bunch I was considering. For $25 to see if CDs can still be worthwhile? Worth it.

I have a low-budget vinyl rig--old Technics table, Shure cartridge, and Cambridge Audio preamp--and the only constant as I've cycled through a series of amps this year (beginning and ending with NAD) was that it always sounded (in certain aspects) better than my CDs. With the Playstation, I'm listening to CDs again for the first time in a while, though, and my choice of which to listen to has to do not with which format I feel like listening to, but which album. For me, the greatest benefit of vinyl has been the ability to find jazz albums that have never been released on CD, and I'll likely upgrade my vinyl rig at some point just to deepen that pleasure--maybe even before I replace the Playstation. But if you already have a lot of music you like in the CD format, why not at least try a different source before pursuing a whole different medium ?

Hope this helps in some way. I'm no authority by any means, but I've driven myself nuts on a similar roadway. Happy listening.
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