The first time I heard MA3 in my system the thought that came to mind was how much its sound reminds me of analog. It’s got that sweetness that gives you all the details on the recording without smacking you upside the head with it. It’s nice and relaxed.
I have the Analog Productions of Scheherazade with Reiner on vinyl and prefer it over the digital versions on streaming. No fault of DAC, just the source on streaming isn’t as good due to it being a different master and not as good as the vinyl. The AP version is Remastered from the original master tape and cut at 33 1/3 RPM by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.
You won’t get the same mastering on qobuz or tidal
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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- 362 posts total
- 362 posts total

