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

I am very encouraged by this thread. Thanks for the question. I have lurked on these forums for decades, not having the resources to join in the conversation.

It seems to me the one thing changing the most over those years is the improvement of digital equipment and content.

I have several hundred NM vinyl albums I picked up in my youth that sound great. Against a million digital songs, however, how can that library ever be as "involving"? I get that OP's involving was referring to equipment, but another critical consideration, imo, is the source material (as some have stated).

A recent example came when listening to Fragile by Yes. When I compared the 2025 remaster on Spotify lossless to my OG vinyl, it was as if Jon Anderson was not even in the room on the vinyl. I'll never play that record again and it makes no sense for me to spend my grandchildren's money building (rebuilding) a vinyl library. So, I have chosen to fund the equipment supporting  the ever improving digital channel. In the end, I find digital very involving on both the equipment and content levels. I also think it has no limit ahead. Look how far it has come.

To be fair, an easy choice where I don't have the investment in the analog.

Enjoy the music!

@xmbw4 

I've borrowed plenty of cables from the Cable Co., but DACs? They don't carry that many (certainly not Ayre). The only DAC my contact there has mentioned I could demo is the T+A.  Which DACs have you auditioned from them? 

yes, took a while to get there... but it is there

For me the answer is yes, but, my ears are probably not the best... Of course, you have to invest accordingly in your digital front end.  I have done a lot a A/B testing to answer this question, and the difference in sound for me is in the mastering.  To me a newer DDA album sounds the same as digital streaming of that same mastering.  An old first pressing AAA album will sound different (better) than streaming a digital conversion/mastering of those old original master tapes.  I enjoy streaming very much (Qobuz) and I would recommend to all Audiophiles to build a good digital front end and add a high end music subscription service.

I only have CDs as source and have chosen gear, all of it, wisely based on that. My player and DAC combined retail for about $5k, and IME, somewhat limited as it may be, no vinyl table under about $15k has bettered it’s sound. But MAN, that $15k table was captivating.