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I could not hear a difference between Analog and digital...... what gives ?

I always thought I could hear the difference between Analog and Digital.  I have been looking to add another DAC to my 11 year old McIntosh D150 DAC, and a recent post here about Jethro Tull inspired me to pull out the two best versions of the Jethro Tull Aqualung album - the Mid 90's DCC Vinyl version and the Mid 90's DCC Gold CD.  These were special Vinyl and CD from the same original master tape and mastering.  Ian Anderson kept the master tape hidden for over a few decades before providing them for these DCC versions.  Volume level is also almost exactly the same between the Vinyl and CD.  I played both versions at the same time through the same pre-amp, amps, speakers - switching back and forth through out the whole album and I could not hear a difference between the analog or digital.  They both sounded fantastic and exactly the same.   What does this mean ?  is this normal ? Has my hearing deteriorated ? Is it because both my Analog and Digital front ends are all McIntosh ?  Is it because the DCC version of this Album could be from a digital file on both the vinyl & CD ?   This whole episode has put a damper on my new DAC aquisition...  I mean if I cannot tell the difference between Analog and Digital, then, who am I kidding with R2R, Delta Sigma, etc....  My system is posted under my signature, and as you will see I have very resolving speakers, so, I am not sure what to think...   I would appreciate any feedback on this surprising experience.   Thanks so much.. 

hjdca
hjdca's avatar
hjdca OP
249 posts
 

@viridian 

Thanks for your response.  I have heard differences with other albums and CDs, but, this was the only duo that I knew came from the same master.  I am now thinking that maybe it was Digital put to Vinyl and CD and maybe that is why it sounds the same. 

@jasonbourne71 

Thanks for your response.  I bought the Vinyl new and only played it a few times.   There is no surface noise at all...  This is also what is making me think that this version may be a mid 90's digital version from the master tapes put on Vinyl

@tomcy6 

Thanks, good suggestion.  I will try to find an R2R that maybe I can return if not satisfied. 

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,625 posts
 

Seems to me it's always about the source.  I recently bought  a remastered edition of the Doobie Brothers Taking It To The Streets, released in the UHQCA format.  Manufactured in Japan.  Fantastic sounding disk.  Much better than my original vinyl pressing.  So do all CDs sound better than vinyl?  No, but this disk sure does.  And the reverse is true with some vinyl I own.  

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,931 posts
 

Surface noise varies greatly depending on quality or pressing and type of stylus. Your McIntosh gear also homogenizes pretty much everything that’s coming in. Not a bad thing per se but it makes it difficult to distinguish differences.
What cartridge do you have?

In my system, unless it’s a really crappy vinyl, in most cases I can’t detect any surface noise while listening. This aside, I make every attempt to not compare streaming and vinyl. I try to enjoy

fatdaddy2
534 posts
 

If you're asking these kinds of questions, I offer the following: (a) your hearing has likely deteriorated, and short of having an audiologist evaluate and clean out your ear wax, probably nothing you can do about it, (b) in the long run, it's really not that important, and you should spend your time listening to music you enjoy, regardless of medium.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,617 posts
 

Mcintosh dacs are not know to be that good 

Meaning you can upgrade your dac , USB cable Ethernet switch 

As well as a LPS from the router the $5  wall wart just adds

More noice and some quality power cords  .you can always do much better

If you are willing to upgrade the complete circuit .

I currently have the Swiss Top Merason dac and it is very 

Detailed and natural, and yes digital cable quality

Make a sonic difference  everything comes down 

To $$ .Being an Audiophile is always ongoing 

For most people.

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