2. analog
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Vinyl vs. top-notch digital

I have never had an analogy rig. My CD player is a Meridian 800, supposedly one of the very best digital players out there. From what I've read, it appears there is a consensus in our community that a high-quality analog rig playing a good pressing will beat a top notch digital system playing a well-recorded and mastered CD. So here are my questions:

1) How much would one have to invest in analog to easily top the sound quality of the Meridian 800 (or similar quality digital player)? (Include in this the cost of a phono-capable preamp; my "preamp" right now is a Meridian 861 digital surround processor.)

2) How variable is the quality of LPs? Are even "bad" LPs still better than CD counterparts?

Thank you for any comments and guidance you can provide.
jeff_arrington
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
My point stands, when a DAC is really good it's described as "analog sounding" (MSB, Lampizator, Aqua, etc). Sounding analog for a DAC is the ultimate compliment. Sounding digital for a turntable is the ultimate insult.


Right. Them's fightin' words.

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vortrex
273 posts
 
@tomcy6 it’s of no concern to me what you listen to. If you want to listen to inferior digital and enjoy it then great! I don’t blame anyone for listening to this lesser format as it’s a lot cheaper and easier to manage.  I’ve been there myself trying digital but it couldn’t compare to vinyl so I ended up sticking with the best. 
sdrsdrsdr
196 posts
 
I used to listen to CD and vinyl equally for many years. Although I always thought my turntable sounded better,  I really enjoyed my CD player too. Very similar to what Mikel stayed about his digital. I then sold my CD player about 6 years ago and only use the turntables. I now get little satisfaction from anything digital. I think if I got used to it again I might hear it in a pleasing way again. My point is I understand you can enjoy  digital as much as analog, and love it, if that is what your regularly listening to. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Nothing inferior about loving digital if you are a digital listener as I once was. 
wlutke
725 posts
 
I find streaming and vinyl can be equally engaging. That’s the top consideration - does it make me happy. I appreciate detail, imaging and all the other buzzwords but if it’s musically dry, reality or not, all that crazy priced gear is a waste.
I prefer a record and a charcoal bar-b-que. I’ll stream and cook on gas though.
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