Vinyl vs. CD

hi brian, no, you *dint* misunderstand me - run thru a cary slp98 preamp, there was absolutely *no* difference between the $500 nad cd-changer & the $1700 alchemist nexus cd player on my system, which is as stated previously. (*everything* sounds better thru a melos music director preamp, tho!). i've not listend to the resolution audio cd-55 thru my system, but my brother-in-law has compared it w/the alchemist nexus on *his* system: alchemist kraken preamp, audio research vt100 mkII, proac 2.5's. miniscule changes between them both, he reports. both also sound better thru the kraken than straight-in. also, a *big* improvement w/a new a-r ls16 preamp he *yust* purchased. so, what's not right? perhaps my nad cd-changer is a giant-killer? it did receive a class-d s'phile rating, after all! ;~) regards, doug

The original poster was unfair in his comparison. Would he be satisfied with the performance a 500 CD player?

Hi Mar00; Sorry, I didn't mean to sort of "take over" your thread, but at least all the above is "on topic", and I hope useful to you. John_1; I too had a new LP of CJs "The Trinity Session" and with the MMF-5 TT it had excessive "white noise" that was clearly audible during quiet passages, and I was generally disappointed with it compared to the CD-- BTW that is one of my favorite albums and I am very familiar with the music. YOU OTHER VINYL LOVIN' BUGGERS-- I appreciate your civil responses:), and I suppose this is one of those questions that is trying "unscrute the unscrutable". Cheers. Craig.

Hi Gmorris; We were posting at the same time, so I missed your comment. No, I would not be satisfied with a $500. CD player after having my present system. But you don't have to spend as much on an analog system to equal HQ CD--IMHO, eg I think Doug is right, and I would GUESS that his $2K analog rig is as good as my $10K+ (MSRP) digital rig. My problem with analog-- and it's personal-- is that I could not listen past the various background noises of LPs, and for that reason, I found LPs fatiguing-- loud ticks and pops did not bother me. The Audio Advisor sales rep. told me a better cartridge would help reduce the surface noise, but would not eliminate it. Cheers. Craig.

Listening to a $500 dollar analog set up will kill many digital setups.If you want to be serious about exploring the possibility of getting into vinyl then you better spend more especially if you are going to compare it to a Levinson set up,although I would probably prefer the analog set up.Im sure the difference in sound isnt worth several thousand dollars more to spend.The fact is digital has always strived and failed to sound like analog.I say if you want analog sound then buy it.Why buy digital when true live music is analog despite what one previous poster said.Natural sound IS ANALOG.A person speaking to you is analog.A live performance is analog.The best thing about digital is its easy to use.I say you want the best sound you have to work at it.Proper turntable,arm and cart. set up is so important. Clean,treated records a must.And in regards to another posters comments about the avaliability of L.P.'s I have found EVERY recording I have looked for on vinyl,including modern rock.Usually $2-3 cheaper than CD's.I understand why many prefer CD over LP.It is lots of work,but its work I enjoy.Nothing like finding a rare treasure LP at a yard sale for a quarter,taking it home for a good bath and treatment.Sitting ack and spinning it and knowing the best MOFI,DCC, etc.. CD will never sound this good.(on todays CD players)