How much do you need to spend to get digital to rival analog?

You have not heard a proper setup then , You didnot state how much $$ spent on complete turntable setup ,that is key
for under $4k the new Vacuum tube Lampizator vacuum tube 
Amber 3 dac, and a Must their Callisto USB cable try that ,
look at the reviews. 

Apparently you just have to know what you’re doing. 🤗

Since I build both dac and phono stage I have not been able to build a dac that betters the phono stage yet. The dac will better most analog systems I have compared it to but even with a low cost TT the phono still beats the dac.   I'm working on it though!  Happy listening.

@audioman58

Unlike the OP I am very happy with my digital setup.

You didnot state how much $$ spent on complete turntable setup ,that is key

IMO - you need to reword your statement to arrive at the truth here based on my personal experience.

so your statement reworded.

"You did not state how much TIME/EFFORT spent on complete turntable setup ,that is key."

Proper vinyl setup is all about dealing with vibrations and resonances - not 1- 0 - 1 - 0 -1- 0 ..............

Just torquing the headshell bolts for the cartridge too tight can mess things up. Its a more mechanical, meticulous setup. In a resolving system it is all heard.

I have an IT background. i remember punching cards and loading them into the card reader. You can manipulate the 1 and 0’s all you want. It still comes out 1 and 0 in the end.

I may have to check out the Lampizator products.  I think I read someone said that "no digital will ever satisfy like analog", especially for someone like me as I have been used to analog my whole life. Its been a tough transition for me to listen to digital other than to put it on while I say.. clean the house or background music.  The thing is that some music is just not available on vinyl and maybe never will be so I have to have something for that.