Analog vs. digital

theoretically the analog will win cause signal path is shorter and less dependable on all bunch of decoding and filtering processes. 

Uh, no. You pick one process without discussing the other - the retrieval of music from squiggly grooves, conversion to an EMF, filtering out of subsonic and supersonic interference, noise and distortion inherent to the plastic qualities of vinyl.  You don't get to pick and choose what you pay attention to.

And since most albums are now mastered digitally, even your shorter path is not necessarily valid.

G

While I am now mostly digital these days, there are some vinyl albums that sound way better than their CD cousins and get played from time to time.  

I wish I understood why…

Given the fact we have had CDs since the 80’s and DACs exist along side analog ....we all have the best of both worlds. Life is grand. It’s like having a Ferrari and Lamborghini in your garage and asking which is best??? You can drive either one of them because they are both THERE.

Here is the kicker.

Can you get good sound from a budget analog system? yep

Can you get good sound from a budget digital system? yep

Can you get great sound from a high $$$ analog system? yep

Can you get great sound from a high $$$ digital system? yep

Can I buy both? Yes

@2psyop 

Agreed!

And you can add a well sorted out digital streaming source to this list. Numerous ways are available to achieve excellent home audio sound quality. We as music lovers can choose which ever source approach we desire. And having one doesn’t negate the others at all.

Charles

Absolutely right!

A Ferrari and a Lamborghini.