Almost equality


Through much trial and error, and with help from this forum, I’ve finally got a digital system that compares to my analog setup.  I never thought it possible, and I know there are those who say it’s impossible. And, of course, I’m comparing my unique systems to each other. YMMV.

My digital setup includes a Cambridge streamer  with Qobuz and Idagio, a Cyrus transport and a Benchmark DAC . This all feeds into a re-capped vintage Conrad Johnson preamp (PV 11) and a Benchmark amplifier. 
‘The analogue setup includes a heavily modified Rega RP3 turntable with two power units, and Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge.

I’m really happy with the sound of both digital and analog for the first time, with analog having the slight edge.

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xrvpiano

RV, it is very hard to beat the convenience and music accessibility of digital. In my opinion, digital and analog front ends will never sound exactly the same but each has a different flavor. I also think the cost and knowledge required to properly construct an analog front end is generally significantly more costly and difficult than with a digital setup. I was a very early digital adopter and I am just blown away how this music reproduction technology has improved over the decades since the CD was invented. I only stream my music using Roon and Qobuz. It works for me  and that’s all that really matters at the end of the day

Tuberist,

I completely agree with you.  it IS amazing how far digital has come. 
I, too now mostly listen to Qobuz and Idagio even though I have many thousands of CDs and records.  It’s gotten so good I don’t feel I’m compromising. 
 

Congratulations!

Like someone just said "convenience".... I own little less than 10,000 albums...I dont want to store them all...

For S.Q. it is possible, in spite of some afficionados of turntable opinion , to have a very good sound which will rival analog.... It is relative to many factors... Which one is better in the absolute is a useless question for most of us with a limited budget...

And there exist a S.Q. minimal quality threshold which make this question a secondary one , interesting question yes, for example Mike Lavigne said analog is better and i trust him...

But who want to pay and can pay the necessary amount of money for a dedicated acoustic room and top high end gear in analog and digital format to answer this question at the end?

Mike Lavigne can....

What most people underestimated is the three aspect of acoustic:

-Material acoustic passive treatment with the right balance between reflection/diffusion/absorption...

-Active mechanical control with Helmholtz devices of the distributed zones pressure of the small room,

-Psycho acoustic method to balance direct and reflected waves and to focus the wavefronts and timing them from each speaker and for each ear...

Compared to that mastery of acoustic , analog /digital difference exist but is minute one...

I will trust Mike Lavigne for which one format is better at the end.....

 

 

😊

OP,

 

Congratulations! It is great isn’t it? After about three decades of failure to have digital being even a close contender, I was able to upgrade my digital end to equal my analog end. It has been such a fantastic experience. Paradym shifting… having with Qobuz a nearly infinite library. After over fifty years of buying albums.

My digital and analog ends were equal up until a couple months ago when I upgraded my Linn LP12 to nearly the highest level. While analog pulled ahead slightly in detail the character is exactly the same… so both are completely satisfying. The recording / mastering quality is usually the deciding determinant as to which sounds higher resolution. This is so ideal, as it gives me impetus to search out odd vinyl recordings for fun… and yet fantastic sound quality awaits regardless of what I do.

A comment on your system. I think that Conrad Johnson preamp is really a brilliant move. The classic, the preamp is the heart and soul of a system. I am sure this is what it is contributing.

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