Analog vs. digital

My experience varies

• I've heard records sound incredible such as 180 gram Black Sabbath Paranoid, Daft Punk, Rush, S&M II by Metallica and the Dave Matthews Band.  But it wasn't always better than digital - after I upgraded my turntable and cartridge the specific recordings have a wider soundstage with excellent dynamics.
• I've heard excellent sound from hi-def digital (lossless with a variety of formats ranging from DSD, FLAC MQA. 

I started to listen to digital 5 years ago and I enjoy the access and variety of music versus my album collection.  As I upgraded I predominantly listen to digital yet analog is a special event so I invested in the analog chain to be high quality (I would say sub-reference level) just like my digital source. 

I agree with others that an excellent digital source is a bit easier to build and if I didn't own 300 records (most bought in the 80-90s) I would have focused on digital only.  

No one needs 180g records, by the way, this is BS. 

In any case, nothing can match tape at its best, and this will continue for a foreseeable future. After that we all will get brain implants and will not care. That's where it's seemingly going.

Digital recording can 'look' good at first glance, but if you are familiar with live sounds and have a good ear you will agree with my statement. Not a single note right.

It is always relative....

Put the best tape in a bad room and install a digital system in a room acoustically tuned for it and you will choose the digital system...

What is best did not exist out of all  possible specific acoustic conditions...It exist theoretically or on a top of the game dedicated acoustic room coupled to a top of the game amplifier and speakers... And yes mikelavigne said also that tape is top if i recall right... I trust him.... But for almost everybody this does not  means  they must buy a tape recorder at all.....😁😊

In any case, nothing can match tape at its best, and this will continue for a foreseeable future.

Digital recording can ’look’ good at first glance, but if you are familiar with live sounds and have a good ear you will agree with my statement. Not a single note right.

Well I listen to live music performances often. 4 such outings in the past 7 weeks. I classical (Piano and cello) 3 jazz . All 4 were small venues and un-amplified. We also have a piano in our living room. So I’m no stranger to live acoustic instruments.

Good quality digital components serve me exceptionally well. However I do understand and respect the idea of “to each their own “.

Charles

“Good quality digital components serve me exceptionally well”

@charles1dad

Likewise, my experience been very similar. Digital or Analog, all it takes is one’s commitment and carefully put together quality components to replicate ‘live’ music from physical media or streaming.