Massive computer meltdown sends audiophile back to the 1970’s and better sounding LP’s!

After installing drivers for a Wacom tablet, my Mac Pro (the engine of my video Post production system as well as music sever) has become completely disabled. I’m learning the Terminal window and some Unix in an attempt to remove the offending divers, so I can at least safe boot. In the meantime I have no access to JRiver and my several terabytes of Hires music (some converted to WAV which I’ve found to sound much better)

After playing an LP or two I decided to turn off my DS and EtherRegen, since I wouldn’t be needing them until my OS problems are solved or reinstalled.

Turning them off In the middle of a song, I heard a definite shift of perspective from in front of the speakers to behind. The soundstage sounded a little narrower but definitely deeper and more relaxed, an effect I’ve always associated with less distortion.

The DS and EtherRegen are plugged into the digital bank of my Niagara 7000, with the rest of the system in their own banks for amps and sources.

I definitely feel thrust back into the 70’s before the digital era, when LP was my best sounding source, and am realizing the sonic benefits.

As I listen to a great but not talked about LP, Dave Brubeck A-la-Mode, I had the distinctive reach out and touch experience of handling my friend’s upright bass. There was an intimacy and delicacy I don’t recall ever hearing on this LP before. Similarly cymbals had a quality I can’t remember hearing previously on any format.

Many years ago I used to turn off digital gear when listening to LP’s, since the digital was a secondary source and I didn’t care that it took time to warm up to sound best, if ever.

Since like many, digital is my main source of music these days, and I’m not sure how I’ll handle things once my Mac Pro (and livelihood) are back online.

Has anyone else noticed added analog creamy goodness after disabling your digital playback?