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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
kennymacc
723 posts
 

Well, this is a hobby were there’s lots of passionate nostalgia and emotional connection to vinyl (mostly old guys like me), and CD to a lesser degree.  It seems to have always been  assumed (at least to vinyl lovers) that vinyl will always automatically sound better than digital, although that was never always the case, but much more so, I would say, 5 to 10 years ago and beyond.  In recent years, with the vast improvements in sound quality of separate/outboard DACs, leading to brilliant digital sound quality, the gap has narrowed to the point were many of us, myself included, have opted to lay aside vinyl and CD, and enjoy streaming our music exclusively (the new, wonderful, brilliant technology).  The wonderful thing about high-end audio is that, all of these different wonderful forms of music media, old and new, (streaming, CD, vinyl, reel-to-reel, etc.) are still available for all of us to enjoy for the foreseeable future.  Happy listening  

hjdca's avatar
hjdca OP
248 posts
 

@ghdprentice @kennymacc 

Thanks for your response.  Yup, I have invested in my ethernet, streamer, cables,  Linear Power supplies, Power cords, power conditioners all going to the same DAC as my SACD/CD transport.  I subscribe to Qobuz and when I A/B identical songs coming from streaming and CD, I cannot tell the difference.  They sound the same - fantastic.  So, I also believe that high end streaming sounds just as good as CD and SACD - assuming the same file resolution.  In addition streaming 196/24 seems to be just as good as my ripped SACD (dsf files) which are 1-bit, 2.8 MHz DSD. 

I guess I am just now coming to the realization that as you continue to go down the rabbit hole, Digital files and streaming can continue to improve on the sound of the best first pressing Vinyl records.  Ok, so now, I am going to go back to looking for one of the best, latest DAC within my budget.   

Thanks so much everyone for your input and help !  It is much appreciated.   

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,973 posts
 

When CD’s first came out, they were made with the original master tapes that were processed to get the most out of vinyl without having the sound sound sound dull or the needle jumping out of the grooves and that’s why CD’s sounded so different in the beginning.  Since then, recordings are produced for each format (more or less).  Also, as others have said, DAC technology has improved by leaps and bounds, and so has clock and power source technology.  In 1982 an oven controller for a clock was unheard of, and now, even some of the new switching power supply’s are fantastic. 

rbstehno
1,631 posts
 

Noromance- I just ordered it with a 30 day in home trial period and will get it Monday. Let it break in over Christmas week and will know more by the 1st of the year if it’s a keeper. The unit is made completely different than what I have today. My current dac is fpga based with no more updates and this new dac isn’t fpga based.

joeycastillo
267 posts
 

Hi OP

 

I had the same journey / experience in the past. At first it was the Phono Pre-amp that was not good match. my analog was sounding poorly as compared to my digital, I then replaced it and even upgraded my Cart. and the journey moved on. Assuming you had stated that you did your comparisons correctly and tested it with proper controls. then IMO, why you are observing such that you cannot tell the difference is because maybe your downstream gear cannot resolve the difference. I am assuming that your hearing is very good and you can DISCERN difference in Tone, PRAT, spatial presentation. 

I experience these phenomena that I could not discern a difference between analog and digital. so, I wondered why analog as some people say, can sound better

BUT as I journey and started replacing cables and matching components, I started to hear improvements. so, in the end, Yes Analog can be Good or even Better, but that is a matter of opinion.  For me, I run Streaming 90% of the time and subscribe to Tidal. but on weekends of nights that I want to hear the same recordings on Vinyl, then I start up my Analog setup, and I get a different kind of music presentation, that I (my opinion only) sounds better, more engaging, sounding more as other people say, a bit more surreal. 

Let me be clear, both digital and analog today is very close and sounds so real, that like others have posted, either one is Best to one’s hearing enjoyment

 

 

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