How much do you need to spend to get digital to rival analog?

The second and third posts in this thread, and Mike Lavigne’s post, are correct. If you enjoy and seek the sound analog creates then no amount of money spent on digital will be able to replicate the analog experience.

rbstehno nailed it. IME, for most audiophiles' analog or digital budgets (let's say $100 - $15,000) digital yields better quality sound. If this question were asked 8+ years ago, the $ range would be different. Between analog requiring a TT, a cartridge, a phono preamp an isolation platform not to mention brushes, record cleaners etc. there are simply many more components to purchase versus digital which as we know is a DAC and a  computer and now there are models integrating both into one. Once you get >~$15,000 things balance out. At the level I'm at (Aqua Formula xHD) + the convenience of unlimited music at your fingertips, spinning records has no appeal.

i have a 6 year old NAD D1050 and have not heard anything better lately under 2K.  you can pick them up for about $400. 

Very simple answer--Exogal for 7k. Absolutely wonderful sound that kills my former tube equipment with a far smaller footprint. Tubes are greatly overrated though lots of fun.