Will a $700 turntable outperform a CD player?

@guy-incognito

Thank you. You have convinced me that I need to look into it. I was in an audio shop in Richmond, VA where the manager was talking about streaming. I'll see what they recommend. I understand that some services have better SQ than others. Any suggestions?

@geof
If that's the case then maybe I could find the recording of Menuhin and Oistrack playing Bach's Concerto for Two Violins. There's a Youtube video but I've never been able to find the CD.

@dsper

When you compare DAC and hi-fi turntable the music itself is important, on vinyl you must have original pressing of the well recorded albums from the analog era (recorded and mastered in analog). Those albums are pure magic, if your system is not capable to reproduce music from those albums it is your system fail, not the LP. 

When you're listening to modern music (digital files) it is recorded digitally and mastered digitally, often compressed. In this situation you can hear exactly what's on the master. 

To do so with analog you need a Master Tape or Direct Cut record. 
Or very well recorded and pressed LPs (not re-issues). 

For vinyl you need a decent phono stage in your analog chain. 

MAYBE depends on the cd player if it is an Esoteric K03XS then yes.

Yes.

Mission 775S turntable, $100-200
Grace G707 tonearm, $100-150

Phonostage, $250-1500
Cartridge, $100-10,000

Any of that, in good condition, set up well, will outperform CD

Maybe,

But in the long run, do you want to pay for the maintenance of a turntable.
Turntables are great from the retailers point-of-view. Because they wear out. Which means they have a new customer and additional cash flow over time from this sale.
New belts, new cartridges, bearings replaced in the tonearms, possible motor issues and then the suspensions and occasional tuning to make sure it is up to specs. Plus, all the accessories to upgrade and maintain your TT and record collection. (More so with belt drive TT than direct drive TT)

If your buying a TT, make sure it is new and not used. A used TT is like buying a 20 year old BMW and thinking it will perform just like a new car. 

When a Paul McGowan of PS audio states that DSD audio sounds better than vinyl, I think you can see where the future of audio is going.

Finding LP's at great prices is fun, that's why I still have my TT and to listen to my collection of Lp's. With the prices of used CD's declining, maybe the bargains will be this format for awhile.