My conclusion: mid level $$ analog vs digital

Besides my preference, which is vinyl, not surprising due to investment, i still enjoy both.
So listening is simple. 

G

I think the op has already proven to himself what most already know, analog just sounds better. 😁
No need for rapid fire A/B comparison. You know right away that it just sounds right.

have said this before in similar threads

those who so clearly favor one of over the other in a ’hands down’ way probably haven’t heard the other well implemented in a really good system -- those who feel the need to put down the other is short sighted and narrow minded

key point is, either can sound truly wonderful and deliver the toe tapping, emotion inspiring, incredulously good sounding musical experience that we are all vigorously chasing in this hobby/undertaking

each delivers its own lovely experience and unique benefits, and we as an audiophile community are much better for it in the present day

I've thought about this subject too.  It's hard to draw a conclusion because you could spend similar amounts of money on digital and analog and windup in the same place or drastically different places.  Further, spending smart and finding synergy can reap huge awards.  All of that creates noise for me in the logic of the original post subject. 

I will say though, assuming purchases and integration are taken seriously there is a point where analog starts doing things that digital doesn't do or not as well.   

I do subscribe to the wise ones' view that digital and analog are just different, and it's not a zero sum game. 

Different though can be very intoxicating and compelling.  A friend popped by last night.  He's got a mainstream all digital system that he had configured.  He says with the house integration he's got $50k minimum in it.  I've heard it many times. It sounds really pleasant.   

He asked to hear my system.  I first played digital (Roon -) Tube DAC).  Later, when he requested Dark Side of the Moon (felt a bit shopworn, but still a classic), he said, "Woah, I get it."  Then he struggled to define what he liked about vinyl.  

Point is, I think he was responding positively to a careful put together analog rig, as it was doing things so differently than he was used to.  

+1 jjss49-- each delivers its own lovely experience and unique benefits

What a great time for audiophiles!

I agree with you on that. At lower price points, digital can be very competitive or better.

Yes especially in a controlled acoustical settings in synergetical correspondance with your speakers and gear where the distinction will count way less and will erased itself greatly... The conditions for a true contest ask for a kind of "mike lavigne system" environment... But the remaining differences which subsisted are minute even if audible, then did not count really for us in daily listenings...

Like usual digita/analog and others falses oppositions mask essential problems, acoustic being the more important....

By the way a digital system is more vulnerable to room bad acoustic  condition than an analog system... It is my opinion not science here....