Analog vs digital?

jjss49,
Excellent post. As you said, there are many paths, and those who prefer analog must realize that it is not only a subjective preference, but probably also an inbuilt sensitivity to certain types of distortion that they hear with digital.
I would liken it to overhead fluorescent lighting. Over the years when I have had to work in an environment that was lighted in this way, I was always keenly aware of the oscillation of the fluorescent tubes. I would ask others if it bothered them, and usually they would say that they didn't even notice it. 
My point is that perceived distortions in in digitally reproduced music may be very real to the ears of some listeners and not to others; and that's OK. 

The Linn LP 12 is still one of the best turntables on the market. You might want to try the wyred for sound 10th anniversary dac, it's the most analog sounding dac that I've ever had in my system.

High speed tape, superb digital, great TT, arm
cart... some of us do it all and appreciate the musical virtues of each... even Fremer might be tumbling to it....

to the OP those Vandersteen are capable of a lot ! You owe yourself a better source than a PC....

You might want to try the wyred for sound 10th anniversary dac, it's the most analog sounding dac that I've ever had in my system.

Way out of my price range but this is something I like to hear about.

@nzastro
Hi Tony, methinks all you need to do to improve your digital to an "I’m enjoying music" level is save up for a reasonably priced "killer" dac (like a little Ideon, or a Benchmark: ¬2.5-3.0 k), add a reclocker (mine was 300) and you’re ready to go.
BTW, your Linn should have good (upper) bass (mine never had good lower bass) -- you might improve on the Pro ject: any used MF or similar should do the trick.