I totally concur with your point. I remember making those A-B comparisons in previous years with analog coming out on top every time. Things have radically changed. Having invested heavily (for me) in a new analog system recently, I fully expected to hear records surpassing CDs or streaming again. That is not the case. Digital has come a long way. And I guess that expectation is part of my dilemma.
Records and CDs
I’ve just spent a couple of weeks exclusively going through my extensive record collection playing hardly any digital media and have come to some conclusions.
Records are fun and enjoyable to work with, but ultimately for a music lover they’re a dead end. Since very few new titles are being released on records these days I find myself going through mainly old familiar performances. Then there’s the age old problem of comparing the SQ of both media which is maddening. I just today went back to streaming (and CDs.). I clearly see, for me this is the way to continue my listening habits. Records can be used as a diversion but not the main event.
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I seem to be in minority here, so decided to A/B. Playing Herbie Hancock Takin’ Off, both Qobuz streaming (24/192) and vinyl simultaneously. |
Interesting observation on my streamer. The N150 is a current model that sells for $3,500. Between my streamer and DAC, I spent over $5,000. My analog side was just over $4,000 & in my mind superior. So you are recommending I move to a streamer that costs $7,000+, so $9,000 digital would be better than $4,000 analog? Maybe, but IMHO we should be comparing like for like. If I then spend $9,000 on corresponding Analog (cartridge, TT, phono pre), I strongly believe the Analog would be superior, just like my current system or at any price point on a like for like comparison. IMHO. |
@signaforce it’s a trap! Tongue-in-cheek but trying to compare entire playback chains based on per-unit or overall cost is not an errand I’ll run. And if in the future it’s proven to be an errand for smart folks only, never mind, I’ll happily play the fool. 😉 First order of business would be confirming the master of the vinyl disc and streamed file you’re hearing are the same. If not, all bets off. Next would be the QC of the vinyl - most new digitized/remasters (streaming files) will be of limited dynamic range, but then so are many LP’s. You may well be comparing two different variants of apples or oranges, which would be sufficient for small differences. Old vinyl is can be fantastic for albums that weren’t mastered digitally, weren’t remastered well, or that simply aren’t available via streaming or digitally at all. Good QC’ed vinyl doesn’t need a 5+ figure setup to sound great; then again, neither does digital. If I had time to digitize all my records, I would have extremely few left in my possession. Hopefully someday.
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