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pink Floyd dark side of the moon mobile fidelity getting closer to vinyl

I am listening to dsotm on mobile fidelity CD through a marantz sa11 s2 SACD player.  It sounds like digital is getting much closer to vinyl, without the maintenance.  Just curious of how others are feeling about vinyl.  It seems as though unless you have quite the analog front end, digital is catching up, and this is an older CD, but a very well done one.
tzh21y
michaela
314 posts
 
Digital has come a long way but I think a lot also depends on the source. I have had a Marantz player, although not the SA-11, and in general, I find them to be more on the forgiving side, very easy to listen to. I listened that that very same disc (DSOTM) on my Modwright Oppo105D and it is very, very close to my analog front end.
mesch
3,481 posts
 
jmcgrogan, what is your analog front end vs. your CDPs?
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
I find vinyl to be a labor of love. You have to love the tweaking.  You also need a so a substantial setup that really is synergistic, the arm, the cartridge, the table, good isolation.  Isolation is important regardless, but more so with vinyl.  Stylus only last so long sounding their best.  It is laborious.  So you have to love it.  If you do, you will be rewarded with the best natural sound which is these days open to interpretation.  I personally enjoy vinyl better when everything is just right.  More air, realism, strings sound amazing, I have never heard a digital player really get strings right.  However, all that being said, digital is very easy, open the CD drawer put the CD in, you are done, sit back and listen.  If you get the interconnects right it can be quite enjoyable and it is getting much better.  



jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
There is no question that digital is easier, and I do listen to digital quite a bit as life can be pretty hectic and digital sounds good enough when multi-tasking. I'm still always amazed when I have the time, sit down, and just listen to analog though.

mesch, my analog front end is a VPI Prime w/ 3D arm and an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cartridge. I also have a Walker Audio Motor Controller.
I have a Transfiguration Phoenix S cartridge too, but I haven't gotten around to mounting it yet. Phono stage is a Allnic H1201.

I have two CDP's, one is a Marantz SA-11S1 with Ultimate Tube mod by pcX.
Second one is the Playback Design MPS-5 w/ USB box. The Marantz is a bit fuller and sweeter, the MPS-5 a bit more revealing.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
The Mobile Fidelity DSOM CD is worse than the Sony DSOM SACD, and the Sony is cheaper.
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