The character of analog and digital

@frogman

I hear ya! I actually believe that we’re on the same page. I probably should have expressed my comments differently. When I said the topic of digital versus analog had become tiresome and stale I did not mean it as a way to suppress further discussion.

That is the whole point of these audio forums, lively and interesting (Hopefully) exchanges. Over the years these forums have served me well. I have found them for the most part entertaining and informative. Interactions with others has certainly expanded my knowledge base and level of awareness.

Perhaps it was my mood at the time, but I felt, here we go again with this digital vs analog stuff. I did not intend to be dismissive of opinions and perspectives of others. Carry on gentlemen. 👍

Charles

So, let’s all take a deep breath and not get bent out of shape because someone’s opinion is someone else’s truth.
 

Agree. But who here got bent out of shape? At least I did not detect this. Just seems various opinions and impressions were openly expressed as one would expect on an open audio forum. Certainly not a big deal.

Charles

Agree, no argument, just different opinions being expressed. We listen and then form our respective impressions and judgements. No harm, no foul.

Charles

@lalitk 
I honestly don’t care to partake in analog vs digital arguments. I been on both sides and understand deeply the virtues and pitfalls of both formats. I prefer to focus on music instead of tiresome and often meaningless discussions on one format superiority over another.

Very well put. Analog versus digital and tubes versus transistors. What more can be said other than the redundant and stale back and forth comments. Purchase and own what you like and just enjoy the listening experience. Either format is capable.

Charles

@facten

I was introduced to a Neodio Audio CD player in the Lamm Audio room at CES some years ago. The late Vladimir Lamm was running the room. He alternated between the Neodio and an excellent turntable set up. He had his top level Lamm electronics in use. I can attest that both the analog and digital front ends acquitted themselves quite beautifully and were very engaging. So I know you must be thrilled with yours.

I have not heard the Tron Audio DAC but I am very familiar with the sound of their SET amplifiers which are fabulous. I’d have to believe that the DAC is equally as accomplished. @grannyring owns their top model DAC and he (And his wife) love what they’re hearing.

This notion that digital is not capable of reproducing music in an emotionally engaging and immersive manner is nonsense.

Charles

Whether analog or digital, one must try to obtain the musical message first then accommodate the ears to the particular sonic quality.  Something we audiophiles find hard to do.

Not sure who you are referring to with this statement. I was attending live musical performances before I became aware of the High End audio world. Quite honestly, the only purpose and reason for obtaining a high-quality audio component is to better appreciate the music I adore. It merely works as a conduit for that purpose.

I still attend live venues pretty regularly. 10 performances so far this year. So, the music itself, first and foremost. The audio equipment makes it possible to appreciate it whenever I’d like to in my home. Nothing more or nothing less. I am pretty certain I am not the only one here who feels this way and behaves this way.

Charles

@lalitk +1, @david_tenYou nailed it 🖐️🎤 ⬇️

Agreed!  David, excellent observation and perspective.

Charles

Instead it was his wife that released a sigh of unexpected pleasure practically the instant the stylus touched down. The two reactions I would pay money to have recorded, that one and the other guys wife who when her husband wasn’t looking whispered to me, "I could listen to this all night!" In a tone of amazement, because her audiophile husband having only CD she never even imagined music on a high end system could sound like, you know, music.

The time honored unsolicited audiophile wife (Long suffering no doubt) comments as a prop for added/confirmed legitimacy. Still there remains the issue of them simply lacking the opportunity to have heard better quality digital sources for which to compare. So, very limited exposure/data base.

Why is it so difficult to acknowledge that both formats are quite music rendering accomplished if done right. Sigh!!!

Charles

Don’t expect to change any minds. Like I said, people listen for different attributes. Audiophiles love to justify music appreciation in technical terms. What I have seen, over and over again, digital just ain’t all that.

And yet digital can be all of that. If the listeners were not engage or interested in listening to the CDs, could simply reflect the digital hardware not up to the task. Fortunately I haven’t experienced this let down with digital sourced audio components if there’re up to snuff.

Both analog and digital are subject to the same range/spectrum of poor to sublime. Either is dependent on quality of the recordings and quality of the respective hardware. I’d take a deeper examination of what is being utilized and seek to improve. Digital is absolutely capable of delivering natural, captivating and exquisite sound quality if one has assembled a proper set up.

Charles