Listening to digital and analog

"On the contrary, I must adapt a different way of listening that doesn’t actively compare the two.  If one keeps the analog ideal always in mind, it makes it difficult to appreciate digital music."

It's hard to make out your premise and your argument.  How about this:  If one keeps the in-person musical experience ideal in mind, it makes it difficult to appreciate recorded music.  This would seem even more difficult but we are all here because we do appreciate recorded music.  And IMO it's not difficult at all!

"I just want to point out that you may have to listen a little differently to each in order to enjoy both"

Actually, how does one listen differently?  Can't figure that out.  As for me, I just sit down and . . . listen.

I thought someone would question me on how one listens differently.   (I’m surprised no one has brought this up til now.)
And your point about the in-person experience vs. the recorded experience is also pertinent.
I do believe one has to listen differently to recorded music, to “suspend disbelief” in order enjoy recordings, which seldom if ever match the real thing. Same with digital vs. analog.  I think digital is less “real” than analog.
You may disagree.

@yeti42: 

"To me, analog is more textured and real sounding, (some, or many  may not agree)  but does that mean it’s not possible to enjoy digital sound?  On the contrary, I must adapt a different way of listening that doesn’t actively compare the two.  If one keeps the analog ideal always in mind, it makes it difficult to appreciate digital music. Therefore I have to block that ideal from my mind and listen to digital on its own terms. It must generate its own reality.  Only then, can I sit back and enjoy."

This thread makes me grateful that I don't have this problem!   

You’re lucky!

@rvpiano,

It seems to me there are two issues here.

Can I enjoy recorded music AS recorded music? Can I enjoy "Hamlet" the movie knowing it’s not the live stage performance? I think most of us here can. Some may like the analog experience more and some may like the digital experience more. That may very well depend upon their analog budget vs. their digital budget and their acumen at selecting components. I think we are now past the time when it can be said one is inherently superior to the other.  In my case, I have the luck of two fine front ends (by my standards) and am enjoying them equally--though it’s hard to deny the convenience of digital--especially if relaxation is an issue. Read on.

But you have raised the stakes to a new level. I call it "the WILLFUL suspension of dis-belief" for if a person has his wits about him he will not be fooled into believing he is hearing a live concert. One has to try, Sometimes being totally relaxed (and I’m not going to divulge how I may attain that state) I can try to believe I am there, and succeed. It may be easier with a simple recording, a solo instrument perhaps. The first note* of the Chopin first Ballad played by Moravec comes to mind. But I have done it to the Mahler 3 too.

So what I hear you saying is that on your system you find it easier to push yourself into this willful state listening to your analog side, than from your digital side. Am I getting close?

*To me it always sounds like that piano is in my room, and it’s 16/44..