When is digital going to get the soul of music?

I no longer except the premise that analog is inherently superior to digital as I once did. I've just heard one too many turn table setups that simply sound clinical, lifeless and artificially detailed. I've heard digital sources playing plain old redbook sound captivating and full of emotion and life. Both mediums can be musically involving and both can yield hifi sterility. Designer talent and implementation are the key for either format. I can live contently with either if done properly.
Charles,

Charles is spot on here. I went down the analog road purchasing an expensive turntable and phono preamp combo only to be disappointed. It sounded fine and all, but no better than a well executed digital front end.

Both can get you great sound and one is not better than the other. Both, when well implemented in a system sound fantastic!

Since Sony preportedly is going to put its master tapes all on quad DSD, I suspect that will be the end of the difference. Master tapes will be digital. I suppose there willl be less dense copies because of portability.

Now all I need is a DSD source for my Exemplar Oppo 105 mod and for the LampizatOr both of which can play native DSD, I think.

Timrhu, I took my hat off for you, Sir. Analog is soul of the past and digital is soul of the future. I never understand why people think everything is better 50 year ago. Let's face it. Every thing on the face of the earth is better now than ever.

I love digital but I am now the newly converted (analog). When it is done RIGHT, and I mean every cylinder needs to be firing correctly Analog is in my opinion sans pareil. I for years would state and still to this day believe that when you have superlative digital, DCS/AMR/Playback Design/Meitner/Stahltek/Super Bidat/Dynavox Dynastation...etc. it can be difficult for analog to keep up if it is not optimized.

The KEY is OPTIMIZATION. When you have the correct table with the right arm/cartridge combination, phono stage, clamp...etc...> This is still not enough. Is the setup done EXCELLENTLY and I can not stress this enough. My SP10 MK3/ PH77 + Graaf GM70/Kuzma 4 Point/Ortofon MC Anna sounds FANTASTIC (if I do say so myself :)... and I will LOL BUT I can change my VTF by 2/100ths of a gram and it will collapse!!!

I can change the VTA by a minuscule amount and it will shut it down. Remember this is a microscopic world we are dealing with and a lot of tables are just not setup correctly. Also a lot of modern mass produced tables have horrible bearings.

Avid, Basis, TW Acoustic all have fantastic bearings as does Feikert and Brinkman... to name just a few.

My digital which to me is VERY VERY good, at this point, it simply can not keep up with my analog. AMR DP777/iPurifier/iUSB Power/2x Gemini USB cables (better than and replaced my former $3K Locus Design Cynosure/custom Duelund VSF BLACK output coupling caps.

Now having said that I had NEVER and I mean NEVER heard analog at a show or in a friends home that sounded nearly as good a my digital.., but when in my own home and METICULOUSLY setup and broken in... it is a revelation. VTF/VTA/Azimuth/Anti Skate/Loading/Correct EQ .., I find Diana Krall albums only sound good to me with Enhanced RIAA.

All I am saying is make sure you have that microscopic world absolutely setup correctly and experiment with clamps/weights :)

Just my analog novice 2 cents :)

Enjoy