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Classical music listening... what is a better source High Rez or Vinyl?

For many of us who really enjoy classical music, for me it is Baroque and opera, what is the better and more consistent for source high fidelity listening?

I am a mid hifi guy and have a Pro-ject Classic SB turntable with a high output MC Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 cartridge.. I am using a Jolida JD 9II Tube phone stage, with a vintage Telefunkin tube upgrade.

I have a Rogue Sphinx 3 integrated amplifier, with a vintage Mozada tube upgrade. My digital source DAC/SACD/CD is a Yamaha CD-2100 player.

I have refurbished Ohm H's loud speakers.

I have been picking up many vintage classical albums recently, mainly 1980’s releases in excellent condition too, at my local transfer station, and it has been mixed bag in comparison to my high resolution music files and SACD collection.

I was expecting much more when it came to vinyl and classical but I have not been as won over, as I have been with rock and jazz on vinyl.

My experience with SACD and high resolution, 96/24 or higher, has been very rewarding with a wide variety of classical music. Opera really shines in digital IMHO. Strong and full on classical piece are quite stunning on many a SACD releases I own. Rachel Podger’s Vivaldi: L’estro armonico - 12 concerti, Op. 3 on SACD is an excellent example of the audio quality I demand, as this recording is exceptional! Plus there are are very few new remastered vinyl releases for classical, particularly for opera, these days. A perfect example of this is Shubert’s Winterreise featuring Joyce DiDanato and pianist Yannick Nezet-Sequin, which I saw performed at Carnegie Hall for this recording and which sounds phenomenal in 96/24, and was release recently.

That would seem counter intuitive but that is clearly what the market is showing.

On one of these threads I recall someone posting how strings of violins, and the intensity that they are played at, can lead to degraded sound quality depending on the type of cartridge used.

I want to hear back from the classical music posse here to help me get to that higher level of listening with classical vinyl.

Is it the cartridge?

Or should I just stay with my digital sources?


idigmusic64
idigmusic64 OP
56 posts
 
Here is an  update. I  have started seeking out some of the 1960's London recordings. I picked up an excellent copy of " Luci Di Lammermoor" with Dame Joan Sutherland, OSA 1327, and it sounds phenomenal!

I also picked  up another excellent one of " Norma" again with Sutherland and one of my  favorite opera, with Richard Bonynge conducting The London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus  Stereo OSA-1394

I also made some slight adjustments  with my photo stage too and are very happy with the improved performance and sound stage.

I am curious to seek out some vintage 45 rpm. If any one has any recommendations of Operas or Baroque I would appreciate it.
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
@idigmusic64

True vintage 45 rpm classical discs have got to be as rare as hen’s teeth. My sense of it is that Thirty-Three-and-a-Third 10" and 12" High-Fi LP discs essentially directly replaced the bulky, low-fi 78 rpm zillion disc classical record albums of the previous era. Yeah, I inherited a few classical 45 rpm singles from my dad. But I’m pretty sure that the idea of putting classical music onto 12" 45’s is an audiophile affectation that only came into existence in the modern era.
melm
1,082 posts
 
A major reason that some digital listening disappoints those familiar with analog is the very poor analog section even in some of the most expensive DACs.  They often compare VERY unfavorably with the "analog section" of a phono pre, which is to say, the phono pre itself.  But they are there to do a similar job.

A DAC may have a sophisticated digital section providing apparent transparency, space and dynamics to a bunch of instruments that seem themselves to be made of cardboard.  And some listeners think these DACs are great--especially after good reviews.  Without providing as much in effort to the analog section though, the DAC will miss the harmonic richness and depth of sound we usually attribute to good analog.  

From the point of the DAC maker, most of his potential customers may have never heard  a musical instrument except through a loudspeaker.   So some multi-kilobuck DACs use chip op amps costing a buck or two at the center of their analog section.  Call me cynical. 

Replacing chip op amps in DACs of all sorts with good discrete analog sections has become a hobby to some and a profession for others.

So, if you're an analog person, as I am, don't tell me of your disappointment with your expensive DAC.  Look inside first.  Then we can talk.

And by the way, while amp and preamp manufacturers are pleased to tell you what's inside their cases, DAC makers often are not.  Rather, they often try hard to hide what's inside.  As do many of the reviewers.
idigmusic64 OP
56 posts
 
@edcyn the proverbial holy grail I guess. It makes sense that it would only be modern releases. I enjoyed your post.

@melm great post as well. How can you find out what type of analog chip or amp your DAC currently has? Plus is there a site were these aficionados post their insight?

I also have  a couple Mercury Living Legend records coming in the mail soon too.
melm
1,082 posts
 
@idigmusic64
But for very special designs, like batteries for the PS, I would make sure any solid state phono pre I might buy would have a linear power supply and a discrete amplification section. I would look for the same in the analog section of a DAC.

As for the analog section, usually if the manufacturer’s description doesn’t make a special point of a discrete section, it won’t have one. But if you’re buying, you can always ask. If you open up your dac (or a clear picture of insides) you will either see transistors, indicating discrete, somewhere near the audio outs or you will see only chip op amps.

As for linear power supply, for that you need to see a transformer. And it will be heavy.

I have personally found that long-term enjoyment of a component (as distinct from quick reviews) correlates with quality components inside.
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