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What is the reason for this? (Digital vs Vinyl Question)

I recently bought new speakers - GoldenEar Triton One.R towers - to pair with my Naim Uniti Star. My set-up for digital is the Naim with Ethernet, Qobuz & Tidal HiRes organized and played through Roon. With all of my other systems until now I preferred the sound of vinyl over digital. I have a Rega Planar 3 tt with Rega Fono preamp. I spin the highest quality records you can get - Mofi 1 Step, Analogue Productions, Classic Records, etc. etc. I've been listening for days trying to convince myself otherwise because of the $$ I've spent on records but the digital chain just sounds better to my ears. The question is: Is this because my new speakers are revealing the disparity between digital and analog better than lesser speakers I've used in the past (Monitor Silver, PSB Platinum, etc.) or is it because some speakers just match better with digital vs vinyl or is it because with the Naim streamer / DAC I've just put together a better digital front end and need to upgrade my tt and / or phono preamp?  
jdm11
cat_doorman
237 posts
 
Were you looking for an excuse to spend more money or did you really want to stir up the inexhaustible digital vs analog debate?
So you improved your digital path AND got new speakers? Ignoring digital for the moment, do you think your vinyl rig sounds better now with the new speakers than it did previously?
jdm11 OP
61 posts
 
It's funny you say that it's an honest question though I imagine that debate is endless. Yes I did both within the past few months I bought the Naim then bought the speakers last week. The old speakers I was using I liked they were PSB Platinum T6s then I got a deal on the Tritons and loved them and pulled the trigger. I would say my honest appraisal is the vinyl rig, (which I'm very pleased with overall, having changed over from Pro-Ject / Bellari / PSBs), is almost exactly the same. The digital is markedly improved and has leapfrogged the vinyl, which I did not anticipate (or desire). I am definitely not looking for an excuse to spend more money, though I will if it's the right move. I was just curious to get input from other people many of whom I'd imagine have more experience and / or technical expertise as it pertains to gear.    
jdm11 OP
61 posts
 
The more I play at this though the more legit "Because people like what they like" seems to be. I'm also talking about power conditioning in another post as well as checking out posts on audio science and opinions are so varied I'm learning the "answers" I'm looking for might just be purely subjective after all. But I'm holding out hope it's not all purely subjective.
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
imho it is about system synergy, or lack thereof...  
big_greg
6,648 posts
 
You have basically an entry level analog setup.  It's not surprising that you might find that digital sounds better. 

If you're happy with what you have, then enjoy it.  Just know that there's much more to be had with vinyl. 

I enjoy both.  I love the convenience and unlimited choices of streaming and the lack of any noise, but when the vinyl is done right and your system is up to it, it's better than streaming.
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