My digital front end outdoes my analog.....

Nothing in nature is digital. The helix only looks digital to us today because we don't have the technology to "look" even closer. Guaranteed those edges are rounded over and science will eventually find even more there, there.

I don't really care about the digital/analog debate. I do use both in my system. However, I have found very little to justify an investment in SACD. To my ears DVD-A has a much better potential. I choose not to go beyond CD because I'd rather wait and see where the digital world settles. There have been great strides in SS and digital components in the last few years. But there have also been great strides in analog components as well.

I still see this as a dollar for dollar comparison. I don't subscribe to the thinking that a $1k analog investment will outperform any digital. Might have been true a little while ago, but it's not a given any more. So, if someone chooses to invest more in digital than analog (or the other way around) then fine. Electroid posts that vinyl will never have the same place in his system while telling us about the performance of his $6K player. So he feels the need to tell us that his expediture makes him happy. Ok, but what's the point?

This really is pretty simple as I see it. If you do want to improve your analog source, invest in it to the same extent that you have invested in SACD. If you don't want to spend anymore on analog then that's fine as well, but why do you ask the obvious? I believe that for the same $6K one can have an analog front end that will better whatever SACD you want to bring to the table.

In response to Jyprez thanks for bringing up that point. I did a lot of comparing. I used the same title on vinyl and CD as well as other recordings and one thing is always the same. The image is inferior on the vinyl rig and the HF is slightly nicer(more natural) on the vinyl rig. My other point holds true too in terms of bass and dynamic range being better on the CD rig.

ET

To Dan Ed - I got the Trivista for $2682 brand new as an accomodation whilst in the business. As a music lover how can vinyl hold the same place in anyones heart since only 1% or so of new releases are on vinyl. I love old and new stuff but I have almost every vinyl recording that I want or will ever want(except those not yet made) . I have two friends that own record stores and I have been collecting for over 25 years. I asked for phono pre recommendations and have yet to recieve one. It has to have a ton of gain as I will not every use an active linestage again(famous last words)I am starting the rewire project for tha arm which terminates with its own RCS'a on the arm. I like you don't care about the digital analog debate either.

ET

NsGarch- you wrote: ET, don't take my word for it; just look up the MC vs. MM gain specifications for any preamp with a built-in MM/MC phono section, or any phono preamp that accomodates both MM and MC, and you will see what I'm talking about.

But I'm using a passive linestage! This changes everything. I do need tons of gain even with my high output MM.

ET

'troid, I do understand you're position. I just think your thread title doesn't accurately describe your situation. I still think for the ~$3K investment you have made in SACD that you can better/equal it. But I don't think it is worth futzing with the table/arm/cart (as a combo) that you have now. The passive pre you have chosen could be an impediment to a better analog front end, but I'll admit to a biased thinking here. I understand passive as a better solution for digital sources. I'll also admit that I don't have extensive hands-on exerience with passive and digital. It just seems that you've chosen a solution that works pretty well for digital but that may work against getting enjoyment from analog. Hopefully, someone with more experience in this area will chime in.

I am in agreement with trying to keep up with new releases and the available formats. Again, this is a different issue than what the thread title would have the reader believe. Myself, I would look to CD first and then DVD-A. I have heard some very good SACD but nothing that improves on redbook to even the slightest degree.

You're asking how can I still love vinyl because I can't get all new releases in that format. No disrespect, but to even ask that question proves you don't appreciate that which is available now on vinyl, even used vinyl. If this is the point you're after then I accuse you of falsely stating your premise for this thread. For example, I could ask you how can you genuinely love SACD since there is so much beautiful music available not that format?