While streaming might be top-notch, maybe yes, maybe no, like everything else it probably depends on many factors, I was directing my comments at CD players, which was the subject of the OP.
Vinyl vs. top-notch digital
I have never had an analogy rig. My CD player is a Meridian 800, supposedly one of the very best digital players out there. From what I've read, it appears there is a consensus in our community that a high-quality analog rig playing a good pressing will beat a top notch digital system playing a well-recorded and mastered CD. So here are my questions:
1) How much would one have to invest in analog to easily top the sound quality of the Meridian 800 (or similar quality digital player)? (Include in this the cost of a phono-capable preamp; my "preamp" right now is a Meridian 861 digital surround processor.)
2) How variable is the quality of LPs? Are even "bad" LPs still better than CD counterparts?
Thank you for any comments and guidance you can provide.
1) How much would one have to invest in analog to easily top the sound quality of the Meridian 800 (or similar quality digital player)? (Include in this the cost of a phono-capable preamp; my "preamp" right now is a Meridian 861 digital surround processor.)
2) How variable is the quality of LPs? Are even "bad" LPs still better than CD counterparts?
Thank you for any comments and guidance you can provide.
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- 117 posts total
mikelavigne CD? what’s a CD? spinning disc? what’s that have to do with digital audio? ... a 12 year old thread. we live in the present.This thread is about CD players. Are you suggesting that it be closed to suit your sensibilities? |
It is a rare cd that betters its vinyl counterpart. This is especially so with recordings made prior to the late 1990s I’ve compared many on my system--Wilson Alexia 2s, ARC Ref 160 monos, ARC Ref 40 preamp, Spectral SDR 4000SV, cd player, BelCanto Pl1 Player (alternate cd player), VPI HRX w rim drive, superplatter and a number of 12’ arms and carts, the most often used being 3d tonearms w Lyra Atlas and Dynavector XV1-t carts. Except for some recordings made entirely in the digital domain, the differences are not subtle. |
- 117 posts total