When is digital going to get the soul of music?

Tbg,
If we're happy all is well, I agree wholeheartedly. I listen to numerous analog fronted systems and really enjoy them. I don't hear the wide gap between those and first rate digital as you do, that's all. I certainly don't question your perception, I appreciate the subtle differences that exist. Night and day contrast ? No.
Charles,

I personally agree with what Detlof states above concerning digital vs. vinyl. To MY ears it is in the presentation of large scale orchestral music that digital just misses the mark, it is not as convincing as vinyl. Just listen to the violins on a great vinyl recording and then compare to a great digital recording of the same piece and tell me there is no difference. It is just too obvious to me as good as digital is now it still isn't as natural IMHO. There is just an inherent sweetness (resolution) that escapes digital, it just isn't there yet but I hold hope for the future!

I don't listen to much large scale orchestral music so I have no opinion in that regard. For the acoustic jazz and big band I listen to and know well I find the formats very competitive and enjoyable with a 'good' set up. I've heard both formats sound poor also.

Agreed Charles! I too find acoustic jazz and big band satisfactory in the digital format and it would be, to me, splitting hairs concerning the preference of one over the other. I just don't understand why this doesn't carry over as convincingly with large scale orchestral. Overall though, at its very best I would say I would prefer a good vinyl recording over the same digital all thing being equal less the inconvenience of dealing with vinyl, it is just a bit more relaxed and natural to my ears. But having said that I wouldn't agree that digital music playback doesn't get to the soul, it sure can.

No doubt large scale orchestral works is an area that when you look at the state of the overall big picture, vinyl probably still rules. part is sound quality and part is all those fantastic classical recordings available at the Goodwill store for a pittance compared to what it would cost anywhere on CD.

Has nothing to do with getting the soul though.