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
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"...based on the best, most reliable, researched data that I have does not even own a music reproduction system!"

This appears to be a case of stalking, stalking, and stalking.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
dynaquest4,

You are right but do not get too upset about this. cleeds seems to attract some negative energy and, despite frequently disagreeing with her/his views, I do not think it is deserved. This "infected boil" thing was mentioned in the past with humorous responses by other posters. It is obviously something else at play than just disagreement or personal animosity.

clearthink does deserve a praise for consistency, effort, and thoroughness. It is not easy, practical, and convenient never to miss mentioning three things in a row in each sentence, thought, or description. It does seem like a part of a bigger problem, unusual presentation, or stronger feelings, and not only bad manners, unacceptable behavior, and lack of anything meaningful to say. Huh, this was not easy.
prof
3,479 posts
 
glupson,

Yes, there certainly are some ironically named users on this site ;-)

Whereas Cleeds’ info was good, and presented fairly and with civility.
pophaudio
75 posts
 
Hi. Guys , im not crazy about streaming or TT gear, but im crazy about accuphase gear . I was advised by audiogoners to buy vault and it was good advice for the money I like it . But about tt I didn’t ask for advice, what I did I just wanted to try on my own, so I bought used vpi scout, from music direct new dynavector xx2 mk2 and ps audio nuwave phono , and here we go, have no clue about set up I got simple tool alignment screw down everything together. And all I can say even junk old lp sounds better than my deeper sound stage and warm and everything , compare to accuphase dp78 . Jaw dropping I never knew that lp can sound that good. I wish someone could help me to build analog gear right way. Because the experiment I did come out well .
glupson
7,842 posts
 
prof,

I believe your sentence was incomplete...

"Whereas Cleeds’ info was good, and presented fairly and with civility."
It would have been more correct as...

"Whereas Cleeds’ info was good, correct, and interesting and presented fairly, honestly, and with civility."

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