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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
rhg3
227 posts
 

Congratulations! If you like the way your system sounds, there’s nothing more to do. Your vinyl and digital legs sound the same. 

Admittedly, it’s a sample size of one so you could spend time troubleshooting this further or you can just enjoy the music. Some of the responses here seem to suggest you should buy your way out of a problem that may not exist.

willy-t
207 posts
 

I read Michael Fremers review of the Widex moment and tried 2 other brands and Widex had the most natural sound and that’s what they are known for.  If you haven’t tried them I would give them a go next time you replace yours 

 

richmon
285 posts
 

@bigtwin 

Exactly what I was going to post but you say it better than I.

At a certain level of resolving quality in your system the recording quality makes a huge difference.

bigkidz
3,504 posts
 

I would appreciate input on what advances in DACs over the past years that would make them sound better.

R2R DACs do not always sound better.  Are you talking about discrete R2R?  Design implementation is what makes a product sound good.

Happy Listening

 

hjdca's avatar
hjdca OP
248 posts
 

@audphile1 

"The McIntosh MT10 turntable cartridge, is a version of Clearaudio’s Talismann V2 optimized for the MT10, has an ebony body and produces an output of 0.5mV." Note: As you would expect, the cartridge is labeled "McIntosh" on the front.

I did notice when I bought the MT10 turntable - approx 2013 - that surface noise on the same albums was much less than my vintage Pioneer turntable.  It was really a huge difference.  The Pioneer had an old vintage upgraded cartridge in it, but, I cannot remember which one. 

@fatdaddy2  @willy-t 

My high pitch hearing has definitely deteriorated, and I have had ringing in my ears since my mid 20’s - mostly from guns, but, I have A/B other vintage vinyl vs the later 80’s CDs and I always favored the vinyl.  I guess I was just surprised by these DCC vinyl and CD pressings sounding identical. 

@viridian 

Thanks...   Note:  Here is a pic of the two versions of Aqualung I am referring to that sound the same.  If anybody else has both these versions, I would appreciate their assessment.   Thanks so much. 

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