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
iamhe
56 posts
 
n80:

For me part of the journey is having fun researching different gear to include auditioning. Buying previously owned is also an option as long as you make informed purchases.

I would not focus on buying an anolog source to out proform CD’s but to achieve a level of anologe audio you can enjoy. There are some really excellent Vintage turntables that out proform many modern decks, if spec mean anything.

With a level of risk and patients you can source good deals on excellent used cartridges and a variety of other analog gear. Of course buying new is alway preferred but from what I have read sometimes expectation aren’t meant.


uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
N80

Agree that there are CDs and then there are CDs. I spend a fair amount of time researching which $6 CD to get. It pays off. Just like it does with vinyl but at $6 I’m way below what you pay for even average vinyl and around 1/3 the cost of HD Tracks stuff.
I guess I am very fortunate to have one of the best and most fairly priced LRS in the USA on my doorstep.
I can buy endless as new vinyl at $4 to $8 a pop that only need a wipe down to play.
Now their bargain bin $1 boxes also hold some gems that yes require a fair bit of cleaning but hey $1 a LP or 2 as got a lot of double albums out these bins too.

I have paid more dollars for vinyl I just had to have to complete a collection that is uber rare but that is the exception not the norm for me.

Good vinyl at fair prices IS out there as long as you use logic not emotion when buying.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
n80 +1
" CDs might be dying, but I’m enjoying a bonanza while they’re doing it"

I buy both and literally have thousands of vinyl albums, like a lot of people here. It does seem to be a buyers market right now with cd's though.  
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@kahlenz

Man, the hipsters are into pro audio. They’ll go direct from their phones to a pair of active studio monitors. The extra cool kids have a two channel audio interface or a small mixing board so they can plug in their turntables, CD players, playstations, guitars and microphones. They’ll play whatever media they can get their hands on and plug into their boards.

Also true, but we have more record shops in my town now than ever, i used to run a record shop in 1998-2000 (before digital streaming became popular), CD was mainstream back then.

People are buying more records now that in the late 90’s and these people are very young. At the same time old dudes also pretty active in the record shops here, but different record shops.

And while hipsters can use whatever format, the vinyl is the most interesting media for smart kids, this is "something real" for them, not like digital streaming.

BTW Records are not for audiophiles, records are for everyone. As i said i know boys and girls buyin records without turntables. They can listen to the same album digitally, but they want vinyl to put on the shelf, because it's real and cool. 

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@n80

So in order to hear the superiority of vinyl I have to spend a LOT of money.

What are you talking about ?
Brand new Technics SL-1200GR cost about $1500 in the US, some amazing phono stages like JLTi cost under $800 including shipping, superb MM cartridges cost under $400. This is all you need to enjoy vinyl media and i’m pretty sure you will be blown away by the quality compared to CD and Digital, especially if you like not only new music. $2700 in total for decent analog gear is a lot of money for you compared to the gigital gear? I think you already have an amp and speakers. 

Not sure where you from, but there are many amazing records available for $5-20 each in mint- condition. 




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