Analog vs. digital

@rvpiano 

‘But the LP’s from that period actually (usually) sound better.

To an extent I agree, but again definitely exceptions existed. When I had a turntable I often compared records and CDs of the same titles. In some cases the LP was better sounding. In some cases they were pretty much equal. On a few occasions the CD sounded better than the corresponding LP.  So in my experience it seems that the recording’s quality is as big a determining factor as is the recording format.

Charles

Melm,

It’s not that the space is sharper, it’s, as you say, the notes are more distinct in digital. As far as being able to do a lot better on the digital side, the representation is very natural, just not as rounded. If anything, it’s objectively more real sounding, less idealized than analog. The addition of the Benchmark DAC really made my system come alive. The coordination of the the tubed and recapped Conrad-Johnson preamp with the very accurate Benchmark really is an ideal match.
The novelty of the Sutherland phono preamp has just reawakened my interest in analog.

theoretically the analog will win cause signal path is shorter and less dependable on all bunch of decoding and filtering processes. 

Uh, no. You pick one process without discussing the other - the retrieval of music from squiggly grooves, conversion to an EMF, filtering out of subsonic and supersonic interference, noise and distortion inherent to the plastic qualities of vinyl.  You don't get to pick and choose what you pay attention to.

And since most albums are now mastered digitally, even your shorter path is not necessarily valid.

G

While I am now mostly digital these days, there are some vinyl albums that sound way better than their CD cousins and get played from time to time.  

I wish I understood why…

Given the fact we have had CDs since the 80’s and DACs exist along side analog ....we all have the best of both worlds. Life is grand. It’s like having a Ferrari and Lamborghini in your garage and asking which is best??? You can drive either one of them because they are both THERE.

Here is the kicker.

Can you get good sound from a budget analog system? yep

Can you get good sound from a budget digital system? yep

Can you get great sound from a high $$$ analog system? yep

Can you get great sound from a high $$$ digital system? yep

Can I buy both? Yes