is it possible to make digital audio sound like vintage vinyl

One problem is see in your comparison Mike, is you have chosen a DAC that euphonically matches what you prefer in vinyl. For you, that is the best sound possible, but to make the most accurate comparison of digitized and played back vinyl, a DAC that is as analytical as possible would be the most faithful. Your DAC may be implementing "tricks" that create a very pleasing audio result, especially for those that prefer vinyl. However if you record vinyl and play is back on that DAC, the result is likely not as technically accurate as possible.

Mike Lavigne has a nice digital system including MSB Select II.

My story is in the link.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/msb-select-dac-vs-vinyl

Thomas

hello Thomas,

thank you for the link to the story, which i did read. obviously, i think very highly of my MSB Select II and it is the best dac i have yet heard. and i’ve also invested in the Taiko Audio Extreme server, which takes the digital performance even higher. so i know just what this formidable product can do.

but.......sorry to say that the comparison in your story has a fatal flaw as evidence of digital equaling vinyl. the Reference Recordings Lp you used for that comparison, one i own and am very familiar with, is 176/24 sourced. i know this Dick Hyman ’In The Age of Swing’ very well as i have used the CD and HRx 24/176 file as a reference for years.

these 33 rpm and 45 rpm pressing from Reference Recordings for the last 10 years have all been digitally sourced. and mostly i find i prefer the digital 176/24 file to the vinyl, sometimes by quite a bit. the vinyl cannot add what the digital file missed. when i go to audio shows and see Marjorie from Reference Recordings, i always complain about this. here you have Prof. Johnson, one of the great recording engineers, who has a great mastering analog tape deck, not being willing to use the tapes for the Lps. really upsets me. my friend, Paul Stubblebine, does the vinyl masterings for these Lps.

it is hard to find an Lp and digital file from the same mic feed, yet both native analog and digital. and that is what you need ideally, but it’s easy to find a digital file and vinyl pressing from the same tape master, and when you do, the vinyl will sound better than the digital file almost 100% of the time.

i have 2000-3000 examples.

I think that you feel this way validates the importance of this thread. Can you recreate this in digital, at least for those that prefer this presentation.

but it's easy to find a digital file and vinyl pressing from the same tape master, and when you do, the vinyl will sound better than the digital file almost 100% of the time.

One problem is see in your comparison Mike, is you have chosen a DAC that euphonically matches what you prefer in vinyl. For you, that is the best sound possible, but to make the most accurate comparison of digitized and played back vinyl, a DAC that is as analytical as possible would be the most faithful. Your DAC may be implementing "tricks" that create a very pleasing audio result, especially for those that prefer vinyl. However if you record vinyl and play is back on that DAC, the result is likely not as technically accurate as possible.

i have a hard time connecting the dots on your supposition. not sure the point you are making. i'd say that the general feedback on the MSB Select II is that it has a neutral presentation. 'tricks?' huh?

and obviously; dacs can't record vinyl; you need an ADC for that. MSB does not make an ADC. 

my result of vinyl being better is a 20 year experience, with multiple dacs, transports, and servers. as well as multiple turntables, arms, cartridges, and phono stages, as well as different rooms.

i've chased excellent digital performance all these years, and would happy to list the dacs i've used. 

Man from a simple no, to..... read for yourself.. Gosh gotta love Agon..

I guess it's one of those, "here's a stick kid, go hit that hornets nest"

But more like a butterfly nest... full of fluffy wings and colors... 

Got to see it, to believe it..

Regards...