2. analog
  3. 140184-113812

Turntable got absolutely crushed by CD

Long story short, i've just brought home a VPI classic 1 mounted with a Zu-Denon DL103 on JMW Memorial 10.5 with the appropriate heavier counterweight. Had everything dialed in..perfect azimuth, VTF, overhang, with only a slightly higher than perfect VTA. Levelling checked. All good. 

I did a comparison between the VPI and my Esoteric X03SE and it's not even close. The Esoteric completely crushes the VPI in all regards. The level of treble refinement, air, decay, soundstage depth and width, seperation, tonality, overall coherence is just a simply a league above from what I'm hearing from the VPI. The only area the VPI seems to be better at is bass weight, but not by much. 

I'm honestly quite dumbfounded here. I've always believed that analogue should be superior to digital. I know the Esoteric is a much pricier item but the VPI classic is supposed to be a very good turntable and shouldn't be a slouch either. At this point I feel like I should give up on analogue playback and invest further in digital. 

Has anyone had a similar experience comparing the best of digital to a very good analogue setup?

Equipment:
Esoteric X03SE 
VPI Classic, JMW Memorial 10.5, Zu-DL103
Accuphase C200L
Accuphase P600
AR 90 speakers

Test Record/CD:
Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing (Redbook vs MOV 180g reissue)



chadsort

Showing 12 responses by roberjerman

roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Analog playback is fraught with peril! A lot of experimentation is necessary! TT + tonearm + mat + cartridge + phonostage vs. CD player/transport/DAC. I said back in 1978 that I would get rid of my LPs if Sony/Philips could perfect their digital system. Alas ...
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
And your TT/arm combination is suspect! I'd wager my Sondek/FR arm and 103 would handily beat the VPI. These Scottish TT's (Ariston and Linn) have such an overall pleasing "musicality" that has kept me using them for so many years!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
MC cartridges need a good step-up transformer (SUT) for best sound! High-gain phono stages won't do! I know this from 40 + years of using MC cartridges! In fact, the best active head amp I heard was a Levinson JC-1 clone. It was very, very good with the 103. But my Verion (Cotter) P transformer was even better! Lower noise floor and more dynamic sounding! 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
@dill : You sir are right! Phono stages vary widely in SQ! As do cartridges! Add in tonearms and the variables become too much for the less dedicated! 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
@almarg : You are correct! 10 times the cartridge impedance is about the proper loading for an MC!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Sometimes the best that can be said is "we like what we like!"
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
"East is East, and West is West! And never the twain shall meet!" - R.Kipling
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Mike Sanders (Quicksilver) makes an excellent SUT. I have one (among several others in my collection)!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
MC cartridges are high-current/low-voltage devices. The best way to change that low-voltage to a level sufficient to drive a phono stage (while keeping noise low) is with a transformer (inherently lower noise floor than an active stage). And keep the IC from the SUT to preamp as short as possible. Use a ground wire from your tonearm to the SUT and another ground wire (any length) from SUT to the preamp.  
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Avoid new pressings made from digital files! NOT the same sound as original analog first pressings. I had the Led Zeppelin  LP box set made from digital remasters. NG! Thumbs down! Couldn't stand to listen to it!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
@unreceivedogma : If the DL103 sounds so bad why has it remained in production since 1962? While many cartridges (both mm and mc) have become extinct! The marketplace sorts out the winners from the losers! How about those old-fashioned Ortofon SPU's? Still in production after 60+ years and still loved by many! Let's see you design and market a better mc cartridge than the 103 for such a low price! 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
@john1 : Excellent post! There is more "there" in those microgrooves than many realize! After all, audio recording starts with a vibrating mike diaphragm moving a coil in a magnetic field. A completely analog process! And should be played back by an analog process! So, as Pearl Jam sang, "Spin the black circle"!
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