Why do records made from digital sources sound good?

@mahler123 Cartridges affect the sound a lot less than you suggest in this post!

+1 @atmasphere

@kennyc When I was building my audio chain, I demoed the best I could find at brick n mortar and major audio shows.

At audio shows, you listen to whole system performance. Isolating a specific piece is rarely possible, particularly, hearing multiple TTs in same system at an audio show is a pipe dream based on my experience.

Re brick and mortar, that has been a let down. I asked Upscale Audio in Los Angeles (a pretty well-known larger outfit) to set up a demo to show that TT plinth (as opposed to cartridge) can make a difference. Their choice of plinths, their choice of same cart, their choice of other electronics, their choice of demonstration track. So all stacked in their favor. They flat out said they could not do that. With about two months lead time, and being a prior multiple time customer. Maybe one could do that in the past, but now, that is impossible.

I ended up buying blind/deaf a Rega Naia package. Well regarded in reviews, and no option to get better in the low mass arena. I am happy with it, better than my previous VPI SPS rig. But no idea why and whether it can get better. It still is a black box.

"I ended up buying blind/deaf..."

The only way to beat this problem is to buy from a seller offering return privileges.  There is no other way.  I know this is not something that everyone wants to do, but especially if the purchase is for an expensive item why accept the risk of having no recourse?  Also, once you have established a track record with a seller, they are happy to do it.  They know you, know you are serious, they value your business.  When I hesitated about my last phono stage, Conrad-Johnson sent me their new ART Phono on spec without hesitation.  This is a ~ $28,000 item.  Showed up without so much as a credit card, nothing.  My dealer facilitated that and of course I bought it.  They knew I very likely would once I heard it, but this was a brand new unit that required break in for crying out loud.  No worries I was told, take what ever time is needed.  Is it any wonder I am a loyal customer?  So, find vendors you trust, be a good customer, don't jerk them around and expect and you will get in home privileges so you do not have to make major decisions blind.

@oberoniaomnia

In audio shows it’s common that poor hotel room conditions often makes the presentation sonic poor. But, if you go to enough shows you’ll at least get an idea how a speaker sounds. Plenty of great sounding speakers, but very few that personally resonated with me like Magico, MBL, and YG.

My other gear was purchased were mainly based on reviews to complete my audio chain. After establishing an audio chain it’s best to demo perspective future purchases in one’s own chain.

@billstevenson

Took me a long time to find a dealer I could trust. My very first visit to a high-end audio store met my high school friend who introduced me to GoldenEar and Parasound - I was gobsmacked at hearing 3D soundstage. Second store was pushy hard sale- pushed for a budget (which I had no clue in the beginning), then tried to sell me a meh sounding system. Took many years before I reached out to find a dealer I could trust - put my interest first.

You are correct finding a dealer that you are comfortable with and that you can trust is not easy.  My advice to newbies is to shop for a dealer first.  There are plenty of good brands of equipment out there.  Finding a good dealer, not so much.  Once you find one, give him/her as much business as you can.