How can we settle for digital?

"....can you be more specific about which 'ref' units you like? Have you heard the Esoteric, EMM, or Wadia? I am curious what your impressions are because I know they have made great strides in the past 2 years."

Chashmal,

I love the Zanden 2000 Transport and 5000 sig DAC ( which I also own) combo sound. Simply life like sound- no excuses (like everything else in hi end audio-you could always nit pick though, but won't find too much to complain about) -Complete about turn as compared to 'typ' clean but sterilized hifi like CD sound that you find so often. I also like Audio Note DAC5 sig and the Kondo DAC. To some extent I also like the Metronome Kalista Transport and C2A sign DAC (which I also own and is for sell)

I have auditioned Esoteric one box players and the 03 combo, DCS stack, EMM, Ayre's new ref( model no?), Jadis Ref digital, MBL Ref digital, Wadia's middle line up offerings (not the new ones), Accuphase and found Zanden to be 'diff' but IMHO, ideal and so much like analog sound, at times even better in terms of realism.

Of course I have not auditioned everything out there, but Zanden, TO ME, is simply the best. a well set up Analog rig betters Zanden in many areas but not all. IMHO.

Is your friend named Karl by any chance. If ao, He hates digital! Don't get him started on DVD A!

09-07-08: Honest1 Even at 1.2 plays / week for 50 years (your numbers), that's a lot of listening to the same record. But if you enjoy it, that's cool. Peace.

Don't underestimate how much Bill likes Abba's "dancing queen" :-)

Seriously though, I have a couple of LP's that I use as a reference. I listen to them at least 4 to 5 times a week, and when adjusting cart alignment, VTA, VTF, Azimuth I will normally play the same track 10 to 15 during setup. I have 5 turntables, and I do some adjustment on all my tables at least once a month. Some tracks on some of my LP's exceed 3000 plays ... easy.

Regards
Paul

I have heard much speculation about record wear. I personally have not noticed it. I have records that I have played thousands of times since the 70's and they still sound fantastic.