CD's vs Vinyl - Finally hear the difference


About 2 years ago, I decided to get back into vinyl. I had some old albums I wanted to play, so I blew the dust off my 35 year old TT and fired that mutha up. It took me about 13 months to get my accousic vibration problem licked and to put together some decent analog euipment-some new, some used. Anyway, I started listening to ONLY vinyl. I was surprised how well my albums had been preserved and how well the new ones I purchased sounded. I had read the vinyl purist's comments about how much better records sounded than CD's, but I must admit-I was doubtful. I had put together a fairly good Digital system with a tubed Kora Hermes II DAC. Anyway, I had a friend over the other day and for the first time in almost a year, I put on a CD. I have to say-there is absolutely no comparison how much better vinyl sounds than CD's. CD's sound as though they were recorded in an anechoic chamber. There is no ambience, no warmth, no soul. The music is accurate, but it isn't alive. You simply have to hear it to understand. All the years I wasted listening to CD's! I guess they have their place if you're on the go in cars, boats etc, but if you are wanting to really listen to good quality recorded music, there is only one choice.
handymann
As you can see, my system is fairly modest compared to the systems of the many posters on this thread. However, my system is incredibly capable of bringing my countless hours of musical enjoyment and I really love spending time in my listening room. I'm easy, and I enjoy both vinyl LP's and digital CD's equally. But, I must admit that I spend more "serious listening time" spinning albums on my turntable than I do listening to CD's. Not necessarily because of any winner in the "analog vs. digital" debate, but simply because there's just something "extra special" about music on vinyl.
If you like vinyl, buy a good TT. If you like CD, buy a GOOD cd player. Remember only sky is the limit.
I have heard a digital system that was so different from analog, that it was interesting on an intellectual level. I think it is possible to enjoy it just for that reason. I don't think it was as relaxing as vinyl. I would have to have this in my system(it's not commercially available, and I've tried twice to buy it.)long term to see if I could live with it. I have heard other digital systems sound good on certain songs.
In 2010, mister van den Hul (the well known Dutch cartridge designer), paid a visit to my place.
After having listened to some music, he stated: 'you have one of the few systems, where digital sounds as good as analogue'......
I prefer vinyl over CD however I feel at least part of that is personal bias and conditioning from 40+ yrs of vinyl listening. I did an interesting experiment. I ripped a few of my favorite cuts on vinyl in both 16/44.1 and 24/96. I level matched my system and compared them to each other and the vinyl. Im not sure that it "proves" anything but it was informative none the less. A difference could be heard between all three. They all sounded good.