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
Your posts are generally pretty lame, cd318. But not bad for a beginner.
geoffkait,

"...go back to whatever backwater school you went to and demand your money back."


It is ok, you can continue using it. Just, please, every now and then mention who the credit for such a witty remark goes to...


glupson 09-12-2018 10:13am

Note to geoffkait: Check if the prep school you attended has money back guarantee.

Pretty cute but that’s been my standard comeback for ten years. You could say it’s protected. Get your own material! You can use my line for a small fee, that’s the best I can do. 
geoffkait,

"Pretty cute but that’s been my standard comeback for ten years. "

Unfortunately for you, audiogon search would not support your attempt to be original while copying other’s wit.