HD Down Load compared to Analog.



Lately, I've been comparing HD Down loads to "analog". The obvious first advantage is no pops and ticks, but that's just for old records. Another advantage for me personally is that I don't have class "A" analog, I have class "B", which is very good. I still use Stereophile magazine's ratings of equipment as a way of conveying how good a piece of equipment is. While folks here put that method of conveying how good a piece of equipment is, they still concur with it, and they don't even know it.

Class "A" analog is the best, and it's always very expensive. You have to have 100% class "A" in the chain to yield class "A" sound, which is why I have Class "B".

In my comparison evaluation, I used Santana "Abraxas" as the test LP. Since I've worn out 5 copies of this album, to say I'm familiar with it is an understatement. "Singing Winds And Crying Beasts" is the first cut, it has "tinkly" sounding chimes that test definition on all equipment. After listening to a new LP, I gave it an "A" rating. This meant the HD Download would have to be some kind of fantastic to top the LP.

As soon as the music began, it became apparent the HD Download was superior; there was a "jet black" background. This is something I had never heard before. I'm fully aware of the fact that's an "oxymoron". "How can you hear what you don't hear, and you have never heard before". Only an audiophile can understand that, consequently, I won't try to explain it. After only two cuts, I gave the HD Download an "A+" rating.

While I have Class "B" analog, if you have Class "A" analog, it might be better than the Download, I don't know. These are the results from my comparison, I would like to hear yours.
orpheus10
Dear Orpheus10/friends: I'm a rockie on digital and my ignorance level to high.

I would like to know which the difference in quality performance and why between the HD Down Load alternative against a DVDA disc ( native 24/192 recording. ) played in a normal/universal CD player that came with 32/192 DACs?

Appreciated, thank's.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Tonywinc, unlike analog, a cheap USB cable works just fine. A Music Streamer Dac works just fine. You don't have to be rich in order to get into digital, although there is a lot to learn. Fortunately, I know a "geek". This old dog can't, or wont learn new tricks. Your way is the best way, which ever way that is.

Enjoy the music.
Tonywinsc, I am currently using an Audioquest Dragonfly, which is an USB thumb drive. The thumb drive bypasses my laptop's internal music processor to its ESS Sabre DAC. The thumb drive has a female mini jack in the back. Plug the thumb drive into usb port on my laptop, plug a mini to RCA cable into the back of the drive and plug RCAs into preamp. The Dragonfly is $249. With the cable I've got less than $400 in the rig and get very good performance. I also plug my headphones directly into the thumb drive with a mini adaptor. I have no connection to Audioquest, just a solution that works well for me you might want to check out.
Digital can sound totally natural. Digital seems to sound cleaner and clearer than my Analog. I have a feeling of awe sometimes at how great the sound is, at times, with Digital. Still, many of my Analog albums can give me the chills when I play the pressings at realistic levels. I don’t get chills with Digital. That could be just my own bias, but that is what happens.

Bob
If I restrict myself to analog recordings only, there is a whole slew of new music I'll be missing out on. There just aren't that many artists putting out new analog recordings. I also find the variety interesting mixing up tape, vinyl and digital in a listening session. It will be interesting to see if Digital source recordings catch on. Going to be tough with current pricing and availability.