Digital is far better than vinyl

@arafig

While re-reading the OP post, I tend to think it may be satire but will answer as if it is not.

This topic will always be controversial but I agree with others that this is not a fair apples to apples comparison. I also agree to get very good analog playback from a TT it will cost more than the equivalent digital system, hence it is not the best choice for the majority of music fans.

Vinyl and a decent TT rig is definitely a subset of the audiophile community and cost is only one factor in the decision to go down this road. If one is going to be frugal, there are options, but the effort may not be worth the result.

As far as your comparison, you have around $5k in the DAC and whatever receiver you have along with what is probably an inexpensive MM cartridge. To be a fair comparison I would look to spend the same amount of money on a TT setup from the same manufacture that includes the TT, tonearm, and cartridge.

Offerings from Rega, Clearaudio, and Linn can be found in this price range. Will these be better? Perhaps, but the Denafrips Terminator 2 is a discrete R2R design which is very cool - so it could still be better overall and more convenient.

Now, as much as I like my Linn LP12, I find I use my streamer more often. What I like about vinyl on the LP12 is albums do sound very good but are limited by the physical limitations on vinyl itself. Surface noise, pops and ticks can really detract from whatt otherwise sounds great. Ironically, my LP12 also uses the Urika-II preamp which converts to 24/196 digital inside the plinth and stays that way to the Linn Selekt DSM converts it back to analog. This works very well and has advantages. Everyone that has heard it agrees it sounds wonderful but it took a great deal of effort to get there.

At the end of the day, if one is not will to put at least a modest amount of cash into a TT rig, and spend time to get it set up correctly, they are better off with less expensive and decent streamer/DAC setup with a good set of speakers.They will be happier campers.

It really doesn’t matter. Use the format that works best for you. Both will give you very high fidelity playback.

That said:

It is nearly the year 2023. And the fact that vinyl is still part of the playback debate is amazing. It has survived all challengers to date.

But vinyl requires more effort from the listener. You must know how to set up a turntable and properly match and align a cartridge...at the very least.

@arafiq ​​​​​​I totally support your enthusiasm and love of quality digital music (especially high res stuff).

I too love my Zenith3 with Phoenix and Mola Mola Tambaqui combo (audio nirvana to my ears), and I've kinda fallen away from my vinyl stockpile as of lately.

But I do feel my Technics SU-R1000 and its vinyl DSP wizardry does one hell of a job, best part is I can always grab a better MC cartridge and then up my whole vinyl chain and then DSP that too.

It sound nearly as good? IDK?

Sound of vinyl is better than Cd or streaming : the sound is more “feelable “, emotional and more involved. The Cd-player closest to vinyl is the Audiomeca Mephisto IIx. It’s a different way of listening. I prefer vinyl !!!

Well, the answer is really subjective and depends on a endless amount of variations. BUT...Yes, Digital is WAY BETTER than vinyl.