Wrong question. To think or ask if one medium sounds better than the other implies there is a definitive answer. As you can see from the previous comments, this will never the case :-)
A better question to ask, which medium makes you tick more? Which one is preferred, but on a personal basis. We know this will yield the usual massively long thread.
Here is my brief response: I use two mediums the most, a 40+ yr old Thorens turntable with a decent cartridge, alignment tweaked to perfection, and only a modestly priced cable upgrade. The second medium are FLAC and DSD files, collected over time. But here is the catch. I play each digital file through different DAC’s depending on my mood. Sometimes I have a cheap (R2R equivalent) DAC if I want my 16/44 - 24/96 files to have a more analog feel to it. Next time I might want the super-micro-detailed dynamic sound signature of the main DAC. I give myself choices to cover a broad playback range (without breaking the bank).
Most comments here are spot-on: You cannot change the recording techniques, the mastering, the PCM conversions of the original. Everything I do to manipulate the sound is cosmetic, after the fact. If you ever heard an original master tape of a recording session, (or worked in a recording studio) you will be blown away by how much "better" it sounds, more realistic and 3-dimensional. Hard to achieve this in a home system situation, but you can come close to it.
A good example of a well-recorded, well-mastered, with good dynamic range, and life sounding recording is the vinyl version of Exile on Main Street (re-master on 180g)
Happy listening.
A better question to ask, which medium makes you tick more? Which one is preferred, but on a personal basis. We know this will yield the usual massively long thread.
Here is my brief response: I use two mediums the most, a 40+ yr old Thorens turntable with a decent cartridge, alignment tweaked to perfection, and only a modestly priced cable upgrade. The second medium are FLAC and DSD files, collected over time. But here is the catch. I play each digital file through different DAC’s depending on my mood. Sometimes I have a cheap (R2R equivalent) DAC if I want my 16/44 - 24/96 files to have a more analog feel to it. Next time I might want the super-micro-detailed dynamic sound signature of the main DAC. I give myself choices to cover a broad playback range (without breaking the bank).
Most comments here are spot-on: You cannot change the recording techniques, the mastering, the PCM conversions of the original. Everything I do to manipulate the sound is cosmetic, after the fact. If you ever heard an original master tape of a recording session, (or worked in a recording studio) you will be blown away by how much "better" it sounds, more realistic and 3-dimensional. Hard to achieve this in a home system situation, but you can come close to it.
A good example of a well-recorded, well-mastered, with good dynamic range, and life sounding recording is the vinyl version of Exile on Main Street (re-master on 180g)
Happy listening.