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
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@glupson

One more thing. If it is fun you are in this for, and I believe you are and you should be, exploring digital may be a good idea. Give it a chance. You can keep your analog everything and start playing with digital.

I don’t think it’s a good idea, mainly because i already switched from digital (CDs) to VINYL in the ’90s and never looked back. However, i still use digital on computer (in headphones with extrernal DAC) and on iphone, also to post on this forum and to share pictures on instagram etc. But that’s enough, i want to play records, and no files can replace real vinyl records in my life. All i want is more vintage records, the analog system is already superb. I just don’t understand how all these funny digital boxes can replace good looking mechanical machines like turntables and tonearms? It’s completely different aesthetics.



Post removed 
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Is there any recording that exists as digital and analog at the same time? That would be the only way to compare without having objections that it is digital pressed on vinyl or vice versa.
Reminds me of the old Linn Analog/Digital issue of tracks from Ossian -- one side recorded analog and the other digital (albeit to the standards of the day) and no indication as to which was which ...
https://www.discogs.com/Ossian-AnalogDigital/release/7155877

It's been years since I listened to it but as I am a big fan of "Jamie Raeburn" maybe today I'll dig it out :-)

A more up to date example of the same practice (parallel analog and digital recording of the same sessions) is Yarlung
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue58/yarlung.htm

whart's avatar
whart
3,037 posts
 
I really don’t want to feed the analog v digital which one is better debate. I suspect that in many cases, the difference is a reflection of the level of gear being used- I disagree with Glupson that any old (or new) turntable is the same as another- but there are so many other factors, apart from the equipment, and the set-up, including the sonics of the recording and mastering.
I didn’t aim to do a ’gotcha’ on the Warnes’ record Glup--in fact, you raise a good question, because I couldn’t think of an album that was recorded in analog and digital media simultaneously, for comparison purposes. (There was an album recorded using different mic’ing techniques to showcase the differences). (just saw Folkfreak’s post- that’s a help- I actually listened to one of the Yarlung tapes at Myles’ apartment several years ago- it was pretty impressive)
There are a number of digitally recorded albums released on vinyl that sound spectacular. Just as there are some really bad analog recordings.
At this point, for me, much comes down to the quality of the source material. And despite my life-long love affair with the vinyl LP, I enjoy digital playback immensely.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,944 posts
 
whart
I really don’t want to feed the analog v digital which one is better debate ...  much comes down to the quality of the source material. And despite my life-long love affair with the vinyl LP, I enjoy digital playback immensely.
Well said, and +1. It's often confounded me how for some listeners the analog/digital discussion is either/or. I think they co-exist quite nicely.
More to discover