My Analog Journey - Opinions Sought

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. As expected, there are three points of view: Analogue > Digital, Digital > Analogue & Digital = Analogue .  As always, the devil-is-in-the-details.  Which Vinyl and which Digital are key, along with the equipment, cables, etc.

I enjoy both formats, yet have a clear preference >>>

I recently had the opportunity to spend two days at the 2024 CAF show and discovered that I could easily walk down the halls and identify which rooms were playing a digital source and which rooms were playing an analogue source.  The sonic signatures are so obvious that I encourage everyone to give it a try... It was very reassuring to discover that my hearing was still sensitive to the SQ of both.

With that being said, to my ear I always preferred the SQ of the analogue systems (vinyl or tape).  It was a 'no contest' verdict.  A great digital source (CDs for me) is very enjoyable (and convenient), with great 'meat on the bones' sound, but a great analogue source provides more harmonic structure and sonic micro-dynamics.  In these many years only a ~$150k dCS based system has fooled me.  Until I can afford that level of digital, I remain in the Analogue Camp. 

Happy listening to everyone,

One thing I find interesting and is a pretty consistent theme on these types of threads/subjects, many of the indiv getting out of vinyl are the ones that have been at it for decades and decades. I suppose the whole ritual and $ looses its appeal to convenience after some time?

Not at all criticizing that if that’s the case. Just interesting to see how many are getting out of it and how many are entering it are - again just a perception.

Personally, I have spent all my energy on room, setup, learning the dig side of things etc…one day something sparked my TT interest (not for wishing to better my dig or due to being bored with dig, far from it) just the mechanical / physical aspect of it. The more I researched it (and have fantastic friends/resource with vinyl experience) I thought hmmm that would be cool to add another format/ method to my rig. Thats where I’m at currently.

The one obvious thing about considering a vinyl rig is the $. For me to add this medium is finding the right balance of not too cheap and not too $ with regard to SQ. Not trying to match my dig side but just getting something that’s fun and enjoyable. I have no expectations of surpassing my dig

I will be buying vinyl lps and cds....until I go to heaven....the end.

@limomangus 

Same, except just vinyl LPs for me.

I love 'em both!  I went all digital a while back and now I'm longing for the vinyl experience again. About $50K outa do it. Now to find the money without Mrs. missing it.....