I agree with spatialking that mono LPs can be breathtakingly great sounding (I have many jazz LPs that prove that), I also despair at the inferior sound of many LPs, especially minor labels who cheaped out on the vinyl and/or mastering or major labels such as Columbia classical. I have many of those inferior sounding LPs remastered on CD and they can be awesome. Some examples are the Mitropolous Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet (2 original and 1 Odyssey LPs). Then an early CD which sounded just as murky as the LPs. Then, the recent remastering-fantastic audiophile sound. How about not great sounding, noisy Ramsey Lewis Down to Earth on Mercury. 3 LPs with different labels/pressings are okay. The Mercury CD release is out of this world great. On the other hand, many of my Decca CDs are inferior sounding to the original LPs. So it hit and miss on both formats. I wouldn't want to be without either.
As to millercarbon's post-my 2000 analog set up was a VPI 19-4 with an SME IV arm and Lyra Lydian cartridge. It killed every CD player I heard by a mile. I hated CDs until I got the EAR Acute in 2006. Then I fell in love with it as much as my 2006 purchase of a VPI TNT VI, same arm and Benz Ruby 3 cartridge. So, yes a cheap LP set up can conquer a cheap CD player with low end ancillary equipment. My suggestion is to try out some very good used CD players and see how great they can sound (a used Acute sells for $2000). CD players have come a long way towards sounding like great analog.
As to millercarbon's post-my 2000 analog set up was a VPI 19-4 with an SME IV arm and Lyra Lydian cartridge. It killed every CD player I heard by a mile. I hated CDs until I got the EAR Acute in 2006. Then I fell in love with it as much as my 2006 purchase of a VPI TNT VI, same arm and Benz Ruby 3 cartridge. So, yes a cheap LP set up can conquer a cheap CD player with low end ancillary equipment. My suggestion is to try out some very good used CD players and see how great they can sound (a used Acute sells for $2000). CD players have come a long way towards sounding like great analog.