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Vinyl / High qual analog tape / High-res digital -- One of these is not like the other

One common theme I read on forums here and elsewhere is the view by many that there is a pecking order in quality:

Top - High Quality Analog TapeNext - VinylBottom - Digital

I will go out on a limb and say that most, probably approaching almost all those making the claim have never heard a really good analog tape machine and high resolution digital side by side, and have certainly never heard what comes out the other end when it goes to vinyl, i.e. heard the tape/file that went to the cutter, then compared that to the resultant record?

High quality analog tape and high quality digital sound very similar. Add a bit of hiss (noise) to digital, and it would be very difficult to tell which is which. It is not digital, especially high resolution digital that is the outlier, it is vinyl. It is different from the other two.  Perhaps if more people actually experienced this, they would have a different approach to analog/vinyl?

This post has nothing to do with personal taste. If you prefer vinyl, then stick with it and enjoy it. There are reasons why the analog processing that occurs in the vinyl "process" can result in a sound that pleases someone. However, knowledge is good, and if you are set in your ways, you may be preventing the next leap.
roberttdid
psag
518 posts
 
Hi G, Regarding Rumours in one month, I might pull out the SACD if I wanted to relax and not have to hassle with the vinyl.  But I would probably reach for the vinyl, thinking there would be more musical engagement.

Hi M, Regarding my vinly pressing: its the 33 rpm version, and its analog sourced, and sounds amazing. Sorry you got stuck with a digital record.
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b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,274 posts
 
Looscannon, I’m speechless
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
If only. 
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,965 posts
 
What is an audiophile in concrete day to day experience?

I was coming back home today.... I was in a hurry to listen my music....I opened up the system and I listen my favorite music (Bach organ and some jazz) lost in the music.... BUT I was slightly semi consciously annoyed, without  my normal enjoyment and awareness of the sound, I was a bit disappointed by my system but the music was great....Suddenly after some hours, I discover why?

9 of my 10 Schuman modified generators and 3 modified lamps were off....To open up my system I must open up 8 switches, and sometimes I forgot some....The sound makes me coming back to my sense after sometime....


I open them up, and WOW, like a miracle the sound was enlightened with the music this time....


For those who think that all tweaks are placebo effects, dont count in them my Schumann Generators…. :)
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