Happy New Year all,
As many have pointed out the source material and transfer/pressing etc is also critical to answer this once equipment is optimized and of similar quality. Funny but last night by chance I was listening to Return To Forever “Where Have I known You Before”. First I was listening on Tidal, then I put in the CD that I own and finally on vinyl. While resolution on Tidal was good overall the highs were stringent and sound stage modest at best. The CD is an 80’s transfer and is terrible. The vinyl won by a mile in all areas. I then followed that with Patricia Barber’s new record “Smash”. I have the lp and Tidal both were excellent but Tidal got the edge. I have also recently bought numerous new lp pressing most on 180g vinyl that are atrocious right out of the sleeve, I have 30 year old heavily played records that sound significantly better. As many have pointed out there is certainly no definitive answer here as many other factors impact the final eargasm. Here’s to a great 2021 of listening!
As many have pointed out the source material and transfer/pressing etc is also critical to answer this once equipment is optimized and of similar quality. Funny but last night by chance I was listening to Return To Forever “Where Have I known You Before”. First I was listening on Tidal, then I put in the CD that I own and finally on vinyl. While resolution on Tidal was good overall the highs were stringent and sound stage modest at best. The CD is an 80’s transfer and is terrible. The vinyl won by a mile in all areas. I then followed that with Patricia Barber’s new record “Smash”. I have the lp and Tidal both were excellent but Tidal got the edge. I have also recently bought numerous new lp pressing most on 180g vinyl that are atrocious right out of the sleeve, I have 30 year old heavily played records that sound significantly better. As many have pointed out there is certainly no definitive answer here as many other factors impact the final eargasm. Here’s to a great 2021 of listening!