There are many cool things about vinyl. A whole vibe that you simply can't get elsewhere. But if we are talking purely about "sound" quality, the "average" consumer system for CD will crush any average consumer system for vinyl. Vinyl is an archaic and noisy medium, requiring substantial roll-off in the lows and highs in order to get to the final medium (vinyl). Why anyone would do that when the original digital source is available is beyond me (The "Surfacing" album mentioned is a digitally recorded source). Listen to a classical record with a quiet flute part for example - and just the sound of the stylus dragging across a perfectly Mint vinyl record is too loud and audible against the flute itself. I have around 8000 vinyl records, use a VPI Prime sitting on a HRS R3X isolation base with a Cadenza Bronze cartridge - a decent setup. Side by side with the Esoteric K-07x there is no comparison 90% of the time. Doesn't matter if the vinyl is MFSL, or Analogue Productions, etc. I know I won't make any friends saying that, but do the comparisons yourself and see. A high end CD or SACD player will simply crush a decent vinyl set up.... most of the time. There are times this isn't the case (original 60's or 70's vinyl with early 1A stampers or amazing engineering (Van Gelder, etc.). But most of the vinyl today, including audiophile pressings (MFSL, Japan, AP, etc) are simply just EQ moves pushing highs and lows to make it sound better. Do a true comparison, match the volume, strip back those EQ moves, put the CD or SACD on, game over. But there is no "vibe" just dropping a CD into a transport. Bunch of us love getting together, shoot some pool, have a few beers, spinning vinyl, glazing over the gatefold artwork, chatting about this and that. Another whole vibe to vinyl there that is very cool indeed. But sound quality? No. As my one friends said: If you want the best experience, put the record on. Mute the vinyl output. Now put the CD player on and listen to the CD while you watch the vinyl spin. Best of both worlds. : )
