2. analog
  3. 140184-113812

Turntable got absolutely crushed by CD

Long story short, i've just brought home a VPI classic 1 mounted with a Zu-Denon DL103 on JMW Memorial 10.5 with the appropriate heavier counterweight. Had everything dialed in..perfect azimuth, VTF, overhang, with only a slightly higher than perfect VTA. Levelling checked. All good. 

I did a comparison between the VPI and my Esoteric X03SE and it's not even close. The Esoteric completely crushes the VPI in all regards. The level of treble refinement, air, decay, soundstage depth and width, seperation, tonality, overall coherence is just a simply a league above from what I'm hearing from the VPI. The only area the VPI seems to be better at is bass weight, but not by much. 

I'm honestly quite dumbfounded here. I've always believed that analogue should be superior to digital. I know the Esoteric is a much pricier item but the VPI classic is supposed to be a very good turntable and shouldn't be a slouch either. At this point I feel like I should give up on analogue playback and invest further in digital. 

Has anyone had a similar experience comparing the best of digital to a very good analogue setup?

Equipment:
Esoteric X03SE 
VPI Classic, JMW Memorial 10.5, Zu-DL103
Accuphase C200L
Accuphase P600
AR 90 speakers

Test Record/CD:
Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing (Redbook vs MOV 180g reissue)



chadsort
roxy1927
125 posts
 
You have some serious upgrading to do on analog rig as many people are saying. It's expensive and takes time if you don't have the funds. Upgrade that tone arm and cartridge. Or as soon as you can afford a 3D tonearm and koetsu or Lyra.

And I listen to a lot of digital. I don't find it harsh or unmusical.

But vinyl has an important part in a system and can be tremendously exciting and moving in a way that digital isn't.

I listen to classical on digital because lp surface noise is too much for me. But then I'll put on the lp of the Reiner Kiji or Ansermet Pulcinella and it's jaw dropping time. 
rollintubes
84 posts
 
All equipment selections and tweaks aside, I haven't noticed anyone suggesting that you try a better method of cleaning your vinyl. I noticed a significant improvement in the timbre once I used a US machine to clean my records.

Rollin
jonasandezekiel
158 posts
 
I think the utter pain-in-the-ass requirements of vinyl set-up, maintenance, cost, along with finding source material that is worthy, is EXACTLY why I stayed away from it, and exactly why I'm enjoying this thread.

No offense guys, but I'm feeling more than a bit vindicated after putting up with all the vinyl snobs and hipsters that sneered at my unabashedly digital rig while they bragged about their analog one.

And laugh out loud kudos to Whoopycat.


glupson
7,842 posts
 
"The marketplace sorts out the winners from the losers!"

And the award goes to.....iPhone with AirPods.


(I know, Samsung sells more, but iPhone is the standard)

glupson
7,842 posts
 
"Avoid new pressings made from digital files!"
That is where the problem starts these days. How to find out what was really done?
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