I used to listen to CDs as a convenience, much-preferring vinyl over the shiny discs. Now that the system is tweaked to the heavens and back, CDs are on an equal basis with my vinyl rig as far as sound quality goes.
Do they sound the same? Nope. CDs have lower noise, better dynamics, and more defined bass ... on good recordings. Vinyl has more of that human quality and the organic naturalness of live instruments ... on good recordings.
Both mediums are close ... so close as to not be significant (on my system).
If I were starting from scratch, and not surrounded by thousands of LPs collected over almost a lifetime, I would not buy a turntable or records. I wouldn't stream using a laptop either. It would be red-book CDs of the highest recorded quality, period.
Frank
Do they sound the same? Nope. CDs have lower noise, better dynamics, and more defined bass ... on good recordings. Vinyl has more of that human quality and the organic naturalness of live instruments ... on good recordings.
Both mediums are close ... so close as to not be significant (on my system).
If I were starting from scratch, and not surrounded by thousands of LPs collected over almost a lifetime, I would not buy a turntable or records. I wouldn't stream using a laptop either. It would be red-book CDs of the highest recorded quality, period.
Frank