2. digital
  3. 1086818638

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 psychicanimal

psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
"Consensus is the last thing I expected to encounter in this forum, but the verdict seems to be that the gap between analog and digital is fundamental and part of our landscape."

That's because their goal--if any--hasn't been making their analog and digital rigs sound as close to each other as possible. In my system the goal has been to close the gap by working to improve on each format's weaknesses and not having my analog rig sounding 'analog'. I use a KAB modded Technics SL-1200MKII & Modwright modded Parasound CDB-2000 belt drive transport. The DAC & phonostage are by the same designers, thus having very similar sonic signatures.

Although I have way more LPs than CDs, I can honestly say that I immensely enjoy my digital setup and it has no glare, fatigue, edge nor any attribute characteristic of 'digital' sound.

It can be done...

***
More to discover