My streaming rig with a Bluesound 2i and a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 sounds great with a Freya (original version) preamp (NOS GE tubes) getting things to the amps (Dennis Had Firebottle SEP or a Pass XA-25). I don't listen to any modern pop music so it's generally jazz for me, and most of that sounds amazingly good. My vinyl rig also sounds great but is used less often because I'm lazy...I have a new vinyl of John Scofield with Dave Holland that I can recommend as a system reference test of sorts as it's a very "real" sounding recording. The "analog vs. digital" issues seem like a waste of time as they can both be extremely satisfying unless you have a serious flaw someplace...like in your brain.
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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@audio-b-dog Please give more warning on the diagnosis audiophelianervosa. I almost spilled my drink and called the dr! |
MONTHS 1-6: I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! MONTHS 6-12: OKAY, MAYBE THE BASS IS A BIT WOOLY, BUT STILL LOVE IT! YEAR TWO: YUP, THE HORNS AREN'T EXACTLY RIGHT, I MEAN ESPECIALLY AFTER I READ THAT REVIEW ON THOSE HORN SPEAKERS. YEAR 3: I HAVE GOT TO GET HORN SPEAKERS. I MADE A BIG MISTAKE BY NOT BUYING THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. YEAR FOUR: HONEY, TECHNOLOGY HAS REALLY CAUGHT UP WITH THESE OLD SPEAKERS. FOR A MERE $195,000 I CAN GET SPEAKERS SO GOOD I'LL NEVER NEED ANYTHING NEW AGAIN. AND WE CAN TIGHTEN OUR BELTS BY NOT HAVING THAT SECOND KID. AND YOU CAN WAIT FIVE YEARS FOR A NEW CAR. |
My digital side sounds excellent, no complaints. Aurender N200, Teac 701t and Lab 12 DAC 1 Ref. I just upgraded my Sota to a new Sota with a Dynavector XX2 mkII and now it's hard NOT to want to listen to vinyl. I should have spent $$$ on a great cartridge a long time ago. As I listen and compare my analog /digital chain I think it's clear to me that you are actually preferring the way the hardware "sounds" than the source with LPs. If that makes sense. That plus the mastering may make one lean toward vinyl. Either way I enjoy and use all formats.
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