Analog playback on computer.

It depends on your system. You need a analog to digital computer and a DAC that are as good as your analog system. I digitize at 24/192 with a professional ADC and have chosen my DAC to have a similar sound signature to my analog rig. With that, the digital files sound very similar to the LPs.

So, yes it is possible to get the LP sound as long as you match your ADC and your DAC to your analog setup.

Ahendler and dtc, I want to thank both of you for responding. At one time, it was argued that somehow computer playback couldn't be as good as analog, but I'm glad both you guys got the same result, and there is no difference on playback.

My computer "Geek" told me that a long time ago, and he's not even an audiophile.

Thanks again and enjoy the music.

I've been getting my feet wet in computer audio lately and have been impressed by what's possible. Recording my vinyl from preamp into MacBook using Audacity, then playing it back via Audirvana Plus through a Dac Destroyer into Sony MDR-1R headphones has been a revelation. Liquidity, detail and dynamics up the proverbial. Just stunning sound, as good as my main system in many ways. It's made me want to upgrade my entire adc/dac/headphone set up, which up until a few months ago wasn't something I was into. I had no idea computer audio could sound this good. Audirvana Plus was the main contributor to the sound. Thought it was all just 1s and 0s until I downloaded that app (had been using iTunes) but turns out there's a lot more to it. Vinyl sound through a laptop, who'd have thought?

If you starting digitizing, you should look at Vinyl Studio. It is a great app for separating the tracts, tagging, cleaning up noise, etc. Only $29 with a free trial. One of its great advantages is that is looking up albums in discogs and imports the track names and the timing information. Makes the whole process a lot easy. Available for both Windows and Mac.

Uberdine, and every one else who responded, I know nothing about computers, but I got a "Geek" who knows everything. When I ask him a question, he gives me that look which says "You wouldn't even know after I told you". Back when Stereophile was running articles on computer cards I bought what they recommended, and he installed them, plus I have a "Music Streamer" for the output; economical, but it works very well.

What amazes me the most about "computer audio" is the price ratio when compared to regular audio. We had to spend at least 1K, or more to get the slightest improvement, but in computer audio, we're talking hundreds, as opposed to thousands of dollars; consequently, I'm looking at any computer improvement I can make.


Enjoy the music.