@newton_john that very same question pops in my head once in a while but then I put on a good analog pressing of some of my favorite albums and I don’t think about it anymore.
Is one format better than the other? To me, they’re different and good enough to enjoy both. It’s a bit tougher to get digital right and bring it to the same level though but once there, you can just enjoy the music.
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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I agree with you completely. The Meitner MA3 is plenty enjoyable. I should stop thinking about what is better, like your upgrade, which I'll probably listen to next year and enjoy the music. Now listening to Bill Evans on Qobuz. It's at a 192 kHz resolution and sounds absolutely fine. I bought the AAA version of "Adam's Apple" by Wayne Shorter, although the streaming version sounded like an album. I've got a touch of uprageitis. |
@audio-b-dog I’m glad you like the Meitner DAC! I would say there are ways to improve it by upgrading Ethernet cables and adding network isolation, but I would just set those funds aside towards the MA3i upgrade. |
Yes now that I've heard the relaxed, quite tuneful version of the Meitner MA3, I do want the upgrade. But I don't think I can broach that one with my accountant until maybe mid next year, or maybe if the stock market goes up. It seems to love nothing better than tumult. From what I have heard, Meitner offers their upgrades for many years. Or maybe a newer one will come out? |
@audio-b-dog if I’m not mistaken they offer the upgrades to compatible versions. In other words MA3 to MA3i. If MA4 comes out and it’s a completely different design then the upgrade is a no go. The upgrade from 3 to 3i will probably be offered for quite some time especially considering the MA3i is relatively new and they don’t release new models yearly. |
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