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
 
folkfreak,

"Reminds me of the old Linn Analog/Digital issue of tracks from Ossian -- one side recorded analog and the other digital..."
The deal would be in finding exactly the same recording, recorded simultaneously in both formats, and then have analog on vinyl and digital on CD or whatever other digital format possible. This Linn record on one side invites "recorded digital and pressed on vinyl, no good" comments. However, it would still be interesting to hear if there is any difference. Let us know.
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@glupson 

The deal would be in finding exactly the same recording, recorded simultaneously in both formats, and then have analog on vinyl and digital on CD or whatever other digital format possible
This is exactly what Yarlung offer. The same session recorded in analog available on LP or R2R tape, and digitally available on CD or hires dowload




glupson
7,842 posts
 
folkfreak,

Thanks. I somehow misunderstood it was all on same record. Makes sense now.
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
And as regards the Aloi/Linn disc the joke was that Ivor wouldn’t say which side is which ... 🤔
https://books.google.com/books?id=aBUDS_G-SU8C&pg=PA688&lpg=PA688&dq=aloi+analogue+digit...

back in the day as well Linn was a far from disinterested party 😉


glupson
7,842 posts
 
That is interesting. A little discrepancy in recording approach. Very far from disinterested party, for sure.
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