2. analog
  3. 140184-113812

Turntable got absolutely crushed by CD

Long story short, i've just brought home a VPI classic 1 mounted with a Zu-Denon DL103 on JMW Memorial 10.5 with the appropriate heavier counterweight. Had everything dialed in..perfect azimuth, VTF, overhang, with only a slightly higher than perfect VTA. Levelling checked. All good. 

I did a comparison between the VPI and my Esoteric X03SE and it's not even close. The Esoteric completely crushes the VPI in all regards. The level of treble refinement, air, decay, soundstage depth and width, seperation, tonality, overall coherence is just a simply a league above from what I'm hearing from the VPI. The only area the VPI seems to be better at is bass weight, but not by much. 

I'm honestly quite dumbfounded here. I've always believed that analogue should be superior to digital. I know the Esoteric is a much pricier item but the VPI classic is supposed to be a very good turntable and shouldn't be a slouch either. At this point I feel like I should give up on analogue playback and invest further in digital. 

Has anyone had a similar experience comparing the best of digital to a very good analogue setup?

Equipment:
Esoteric X03SE 
VPI Classic, JMW Memorial 10.5, Zu-DL103
Accuphase C200L
Accuphase P600
AR 90 speakers

Test Record/CD:
Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing (Redbook vs MOV 180g reissue)



chadsort
nitewulf
436 posts
 
But how did you compare? Is it the same mastered track, volume matched? Otherwise there is no valid comparison that I can think of. All the talk of air is always cool and all, but its just gibberish.
hdm
1,075 posts
 
Here’s my (very simplified) take. My apologies if most of what I say has been covered. There are two major factors here contributing to what the OP has found.

1) Zu 103 is not a bad cartridge, but is a poor match with the VPI arm. Assuming proper setup in the rest of the analog front end and system as a whole, a more sympathetic, medium compliance cartridge with a more sophisticated stylus profile will sound MUCH better than the Zu on that arm.

2) To evaluate what good analog is capable of you need good analog recordings: either vintage records or quality all analog reissues of older recordings typically made prior to the early 80’s before digital recording became popular.

If the OP has only 50 records and listens primarily to newer music, he may be best focusing on digital as Raul just said above. If I only had 50 records, instead of the 2000 I have, 99% of which were recorded analog and are in mint condition, I probably wouldn’t start over with analog.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Raul.

A very honest and succinct post sir!

Sometimes the hard words have to be said.

And yes we are all learning in this game of ours, I hope I learn something every day.

Good luck to the OP but maybe digital is the correct path for them after all.
Post removed 
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

When I was in the Air Force, back in the good old days of propellers; once we were taking off overloaded, approaching the "go no go line", and about 10 feet off the ground;  it was time to come down, throw on the brakes, and reverse props. (especially with trees near the end of the runway)

You got to know when to hold, and when to fold; I think it's time for the OP to cut his losses short.

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