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Reconciling analog and digital playback

My catalyst for posting is the recent upgrades I made to my analog system: Micro Seiki / SME 3012 / Shelter 901. The changes were made last week, so I am still getting a handle on the nuances and subtleties, but there is a significant naturalness, ease and presence that really allows me to connect emotionally with the music. The problem is that now digital playback on the Sony DVP-S9000es is so lacking in soul, emotion and body compared to analog. I was satisfied until now, realizing that the Sony is good, not great. My digital sources are almost exclusively PCM CDs, not SACD.

I want to close the gap, so that I can enjoy my CDs again! The Sony is used for DVD video playback no more than 20% of the time. I have decided to either: 1) replace the Sony with a more contemporary universal player, or 2) add a nice DAC, either a Bidat or Lavry 924, using the Sony for transport and video duties.

Is anyone more experienced with digital playback, who can provide some guidance?
skushino

Showing 1 response by cjfrbw

cjfrbw
148 posts
 
Unfortunately, you have to go up the price scale to get analog type performance from CD. It is a sad fact of life that great sounding CD equipment costs more, unlike vinyl, where you can get great sounding stuff at modest prices. I am quite happy with my Sonic Frontiers Processor 3, Meridian 518 digital processor, and CEC T1x belt drive transport.
However, it still doesn't sound as good as vinyl. You probably will have trouble finding anything digital that does.
That being said, I am not disappointed when I listen to CD's now, and prefer CD's in my rig to two channel SACD. Some music is just not available on vinyl.
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