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.
Does anyone have a digital system that is as involving as their analogue front end?
I have a good analogue front end. Not stratuspherically good but good enough for this comparison. VPI Prime Signature 21 turntable, Pass Labs XP-25 pono preamp, Pass Labs XP-30 preamp and Hovland Radia amp. It has a lovely, very involving sound. On the right recording, I just drop everythng and am drawn in to listen.
My streamer, on the other hand, is decent but not spectacular. It is better than my CD player, but it is not jaw-dropping like my analogue front-end. My question is this: does anyone have a high-end, tier-one streamer (dCS Bartok Apex, Lumin X2, or something like them) that can rival a good analogue system?
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- 237 posts total
- 237 posts total

