The "Digital" listening experience


Do you find listening to digital without adequate isolation to be similar to listening to a piece of music where the performer is not putting his heart into it? That seems to be the best description I've found.
ptss
Interesting topic.  I think I now have a clearer understanding of what the OP is talking about.  In some ways this thread leads back to previous discussions of the role of power conditioning/regeneration on individual components and/or on systems as a whole.

There are numerous conditioning designers who have specifically worked to isolate digital components from non-digital believing that digital gear puts an amusical "grunge" into the power that negatively affects the rest of the system.  I have no reason to resist that assertion. All of my components are using regenerated power except the amp which receives conditioned power.  I also go to considerable lengths to eliminate vibration from my components and also to reduce resonances within each component.  

@mahler123  Well said!  "The medium is Not the message"  How many people have expressed that even if it meant listening to an emotionally moving performance on an old 78, the quality of the performance comes through?! Perhaps, yes perhaps, our emotions are more easily moved when we listen to an analog (LP) performance because the "analog air" relaxes us as the listener.  Perhaps.

Funny thing...this type of discussion, the emotional impact of analog versus digital, keeps coming up.  Many of us here can remember this raging audiophile issue battling itself out ad nauseum on T.A.S. and Stereophile as early as the mid to late '80s.

One thing my four decades of audiophiledom has taught me is that vibration and resonance is an enemy of great sound.  As for power conditioning/regeration, you be the judge with your system.  Enjoy the Music!


PTSS is moving in the right direction with the acknowledgement that to get better sound you have to 'do things' to get there. After being in this hobby for 45+ years I've grown to appreciate how valuable 'patient tweaking' can be whether analog or digital. Audio Nirvana is quite possible with multiple paths to the summit of the same mountain. I think the 'golden age' for audiophiles is right now for those who are willing to invest in quality equipment and then get the very most from it by optimizing as many of the variables as possible. 
I agree with the posts that mention the benefits of reducing vibration in all components, not just speakers, as well. No question about that in my experience; however, only when my AC was very refined did I really get to fully appreciate the benefits of physical isolation/ damping for my digital. A very enjoyable - and very economical - enhancement
I'm definitely in agreement with Brauser; recorded musical playback can certainly be fabulous today. Mahler123, you misunderstood my post. I'm not denigrating the CD.