Worth pursuing analog sound from digital?

Dear @jaferd : Harsh through digital?  , then your room/system has problems with. Please re-read my long post.

Digital is not harsh per sè, problem is in your system. You don't need to be an expert to understand it.

R.

Der @geoffkait  : """   digital generally still sounds thin, unnatural, bloated, bass shy, inarticulate, congealed, zippy, two dimensional, generic, metallic, electronic, like paper mache, bland, hard, piercing, compressed, airless and sour  ""

you have a problem too, not digital technology.

R.

@rauliruegas I've stopped worrying about the cerebral requirement for having a live reference. 
My simple test now is does the sound connect me to the music? in which case warmer cd, cleaner vinyl - I may be unconsciously making them sound the same.

I can't remember the last un-amplified live jazz, or rock  ever heard - do you? Probably a street busker without electricity. I don't work in a studio so I don't sit in a booth mastering sound. 
I do listen in the near field - but I have found the move towards a tube output CD player which certainly ain't harsh and cold. I don't find that near field lacks warmth - in fact I don't understand your remark that near field is anything but warm - being far or near is about perspective and imaging - not warmth. 

let me put it this way - play rock via a naim nait 3 amp in the near field using a CD player without tube output vs a tube amp driven by a valve  output phono stage - there's gonna be a world of difference in warmth.

rauliruegas
Der @geoffkait : """ digital generally still sounds thin, unnatural, bloated, bass shy, inarticulate, congealed, zippy, two dimensional, generic, metallic, electronic, like paper mache, bland, hard, piercing, compressed, airless and sour ""

you have a problem too, not digital technology.

>>>>>>When’s the last time you had your ears candled? 🕯

Ok GK, I'll bite. What gatefold album did you get those lyrics from???? :-)