2. analog
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Worth pursuing analog sound from digital?

Hi all,

I recently acquired a PS audio Nuwave dac which has eliminated most of the digital harshness compared with my old dac but it's still not as smooth and harsh-free like vinyl. I was wondering if it's worth pursuing that analog sound from digital without spending a fortune and if it's even possible. I know lots of digital lovers will say digital can be as good as vinyl but is it really?   
jaferd
rvpiano's avatar
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rvpiano
2,667 posts
 
I’ve had this debate with myself for years.
Finally after much changing of equipment I’ve got to the point where both analog and digital domains are almost equal in quality.
It is true there are variations between the two media, but now they’re both musical in my system.
jaferd OP
44 posts
 
Here's a thought. Anyone in socal willing to do an A-B comparison with his or her system to the available folks here on this thread? I'm sure hearing is very subjective so if we can all hear the same comparison, we may be able to come up with an agreement between digital and analog. You're all welcome to come to my house but my system is less than ideal although vinyl does sound smoother imo. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
So, for CD playback, and I don’t mean to be snooty, everything is broken. A simple comparison of cassette vs CD will confirm.

Broken lines, broken strings,
Broken threads, broken springs,
Broken idols, broken heads,
People sleeping in broken beds
Ain’t no use jiving
Ain’t no use joking
Everything is broken

Broken hands on broken ploughs
Broken treaties, broken vows
Broken pipes, broken tools
People bending broken rules
Hound dog howling, bull frog croaking
Everything is broken



stevemillerhome
2 posts
 
As a long-time recording engineer and mixer, my preference is for digital as it is what I heard in the studio. Mastering for vinyl and pressing a record changes the sound significantly from the master mix. No doubt that some people prefer the way the vinyl process changes the sound, but it is not the same mix the artist, producer and engineer heard in the studio. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Maybe it's time to review your meds GK...
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