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
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
“Isolate it via springs which brings lively resonances to the game. Or solidly support the table.”

>>>>>Actually, springs can only bring one resonance to the game. And it’s relatively harmless. That’s kind of the whole point. It’s the solid support that brings many lively resonances to the game. Ironic, huh? 😳
Post removed 
barnettk
410 posts
 
Not a very fair fight IMO. Better cart and phono stage + proper setup will make all the difference. Not saying CDs don’t sound good, don’t want to go down that fat hole but I would not expect a CD to “crush” a quality vinyl recording played on a properly setup turntable with quality components (cart and phono stage).
sejodiren's avatar
sejodiren
192 posts
 
Tired of this thread clogging my email with useless back and forth banter.....buhbye....:-D
roxy1927
135 posts
 
I'm afraid a musical performance in Milan would not be worthy of what you would find in a recording from decades ago. The live ambience is nice but the artistry is lost to the ages and not coming back.

Now baroque opera in Paris might be another thing as I have witnessed at BAM.
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