Does anyone have a digital system that is as involving as their analogue front end?

A few years ago I walked the halls at a HiFi Show and soon realized that I did not need to enter the room to confirm if the sources was digital or analogue.  

Hearing several dozen different systems, mostly digital, I became convinced that digital had, in general and at that time, did not sound as realistic as analogue. 

Others are correct, it all begins with the source (mastering, etc.), yet having listened to several dozen sources/systems, my sampling rate was high enough to convince me that my conclusion was accurate.

The exception - One day in a HiFi store I was treated to demo of a dCS > Burmester > Sonus Farber system.  It was excellent: IMO the only digital system that seemed truly analogue (so far).  In reflection, the MSRP of this system must have been over $200k at the time.  I did not buy it ;-).

So my thought - keep searching, keep listening.  It may take a while to find YOUR answer.

My analog setup has sounded better to me than my digital setup for some years.  I made some effort to improve the digital side, and it did indeed get better, but I still feel that my analog is more inviting. 

With that said, Spotify Premium lossless through my DAC is so convenient, sounds good, and has 1000s of appealing songs available at my fingertips, and that’s what gets the lion’s share of play time..

@audio-b-dog 

I struggled with the same issue as you.  My analog was exactly where I wanted it.  I found that i needed to make a similar investment in a DAC as I had in my turntable and other gear.  I I use a SMSL Transport and DMP-A6 streamer and tried a Topping DAC and was not thrilled.  I then had the opportunity to acquire a used Denafrips Venus II 12th and I was shocked at how good it sounded.  It is not the same as my analog chain but it is just as special now - just different.

There are plenty of people here whose digital front ends rival their very accomplished analog rigs, so it’s certainly possible if you’re willing for commit the time, effort, and $$$ to it. 

I happen to use a dcs Bartok and I think I have a capable digital setup. My vinyl rig is a Reed Muse 3(c) with a My Sonic Labs Eminent cartridge, so I think this is capable as well, but not in the range of the ultra DAC stacks or six figure turntables.

To my ears, a well mastered, clean vinyl outperforms digital streams-I use Qobuz and Tidal-don't have a CD transport. Just yesterday, I listened to an original pressing of Rumours and then the Qobuz version-to me, the vinyl sounds better. Not scientific-you get different pressings, not a blind test, etc., but I've done this enough to know that I prefer vinyl IF (a big if) its a clean, well mastered copy. The music is a little more real and tangible to my ears.

That's not to say that I find streaming bad-the difference is subtle. I probably am around 50/50 between streaming and vinyl because of the incredible convenience and endless variety available with streaming. The gap closes quickly at the end of an album side when I have to get out of my chair to change the record.

This is one of those debates incapable of resolution because every system, every room, and most of all every set of ears are different-strictly personal opinion. The only view that I reject is the one that articulates someone's subjective preference as a universal, objective fact, applicable to all.