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

@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.   

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. 

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.

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

@hjdca 

It sounds like you’re in a good place. There’s a couple of comments that I’d make.

Firstly, you can never be sure that the mastering is the same when comparing formats. In the case of vinyl, it is always going to be different.

Secondly, the different formats all have their pros and cons. In an idea world, I’d have them all to get the best mastering. 

Beyond that, I think choosing between formats is a matter of personal preference. My choice is vinyl, but that’s only me. You may feel differently. The main thing is that you're happy with what you’re hearing.