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
 
Fleschler, I agree with you that there is no standard or certification meeting a certain level of sound quality.  Other than labels such as Blue Note Records, record quality can be all over the place.  If HD Vinyl ever becomes a reality it may establish a standard much like digital audio.  

I have the Frank and Jobim album with the Girl from Ipanema which I think sounds awesome.  Tonight I will give it a listen for imagining and soundstage. 


geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Flescher
I’ve read that the analog LP only captures 12 or 14 bits of information but in pure wave form. Digital captures sound at different bits and depth. Somehow, they both sound natural and high resolution on my system and some of my friends systems. They each have their own plusses and minuses.

>>>>>Huh! How can analog capture only 12 or 14 bits of information? It’s not digital. Furthermore, most digital media has an analog source (tape).

secretguy
1,681 posts
 
Coincidentally, I was doing a record cleaning session yesterday and was playing some vinyl I hadn't heard in a while. I was struck by how "right" it sounds.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
Following this thread, I am surprised how popular VPI is. It seems that all of you have (at least) one.
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