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
Post removed 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@dynaquest4 I'm not sure, but maybe you never owned a high-end turntable, cartridge, phono stage ? What i can read about that Garrard Zero 100 is comments about problems with this turntable from many users.  

If you imagine me with automatic retro turntables like that playin advocate for retro analog then and you're wrong.
 
I think most of the analog lovers here on audiogon are pretty serious about turntables, cartridges, tonearms, phono stages and everything else to make analog system superb today in competition with digital. 

If you reference in analog audio is Garrard Zero 100 then i understand why do you like digital. Maybe you can recall a better turntable from your arsenal ? 

P.S.  I thought the Nakamichi Dragon is superb cassete deck, but i never tried one, if you think it's so awful you can send it to me :) This is definitely retro cool looking japanese deck. 
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
Elizbeth: thanks for your input trashing my first turtable from 50 years ago.  Being you, and with my experience with you, I suspect you would trash any gear I mentioned.

Chakster: ditto.  The Zero-100 was definitely cool looking.  That was my point.  You both completely missed it.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Dyna, I’m going to go out on a limb here & say you missed there point. You have suggested vinyl as being antiquated & inferior (sound wise / I guess you like the looks) to digital, while using a Garrard Zero 100 as your standard. Probably not a fair comparison, unless you have another vinyl standard. 
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
Dyna, I’m going to go out on a limb here & say you missed there point. You have suggested vinyl as being antiquated & inferior (sound wise / I guess you like the looks) to digital, while using a Garrard Zero 100 as your standard. Probably not a fair comparison, unless you have another vinyl standard.
Boxer:

Hmmmm....misunderstanding all around.  I grew up with records.  Listened to my parents' and my schoolmates' systems.  The Zero-100 I purchased in 1972 or '73 was my first turntable.  I owned others up until about '92 when I quit records altogether.  I referenced the Zero-100 as an example of how turntables can "look cool."  Both immediate respondents erroneously assumed that 50+ year old turntable was my vinyl SQ standard.  They did not read (or understand) the context of my post and got it wrong.

Plus, Elizabeth shows me no favor because, in jest, I teased her about using her refrigerator to "burn-in" her uber-expensive AC plugs.

My opinion of vinyl use being mostly about nostalgia and "retro-coolness" stands.  I find that outdated "system" terribly inconvenient and mechanically complex; others find it fun and completely listenable.  However, IMO, no matter how much money your throw at it or how much you like it, the phonograph record cannot compete with digital as a playback method...assuming equality of other factors. .

Again, in my opinion, analog equipment/media vendors are getting rich pandering to those that crave the latest fashion.  Smart - but often dishonest - marketing.
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