Out of curiosity, what was the analog set-up that you had to compare to the high dollar digital playback?
The analog setup was a re-tipped Grasshopper 2, mounted on a Triplanar arm which was in turn on a Kuzma Stabi Reference. The arm was set up with a balanced connection driving the balanced phono section of the Atma-Sphere MP-1 preamp.
The difference between that and the Staltek system (easily the best digital I have heard so far, regardless of the digital source file) was readily audible as an increased smoothness and level of detail on the part of the LP. For the most part ticks and pops did not give away the vinyl either; if things are set up correctly the vinyl rig will not enhance ticks and pops (although it is my opinion that so many rigs do have troubles with this; thus one important reason that digital has done as well as it has).