CD Got Absolutely Crushed By Vinyl

@ct0517 

The key is attained knowledge, that allows for the proper set up of all 6 areas to work together, based on each areas different design, and execution. There is a lot to get wrong. 

 
Right, but the cartridge is first and only component that physically riding your records, so in my opinion cartridge is the key. 

chakster
Right, but the cartridge is first and only component that physically riding your records, so in my opinion cartridge is the key.

@chakster
Well then, in your own words "physically riding", shortened to "ride" for the purpose of this post.....

The Litz ............rides the tonearm/cart.
The tonearm ....rides the cartridge and TT/Shelf.
The cartridge... rides the record.
The record .......rides the platter/TT
The TT .............rides the shelf.

A lot of riding going on.

“To replicate this much with off the shelf gear, you’d have to spend the better part of $6,000.”

You left something out...what is the CD player/DAC in comparison?

@ct0517 then finally, The Listener .... rides:

If you want it let's do it
Ride it, my pony,
My saddle is waitin',
Come and, jump on it
If you want it let's do it
Ride it, my pony,
-- Rihanna

@ct0517 

A lot of riding going on.  

But only cartridge and its diamond rides in the groove where the music is, so only diamond touch the groove walls. If you have some problem right there you can not fix it anywhere else, no matter how well treated your room or how good is your tonearm and phonostage, turntable, cables and speakers. Your cartridge is the first and most important component in agalog chain.