The character of analog and digital
Having just obtained some high quality analogue components, I want make some comments on the character of both analog and digital.
First of all it’s very difficult to speak of analog in general. Records vary widely (indeed wildly) in sonic character and quality. Digital recordings are much more uniform. When you play a digital file you more or less know what your getting. Of course some sound better than others, but there is a consistency of character. With records, it’s the Wild West. Variation in SQ and character are rampant.
Therefore it becomes very difficult to make generalizations on which categorically sounds better.
The real 'problem' with CDs is that they take the 'audiophile' out of the process. You put it in the tray, and that's the end of your involvement. In all other ways concerning music reproduction, they are superior to LPs. And any other format for that matter. If only we could 'upgrade' the lasers, or had CD cleaning machines, or could see them spinning etc etc. there is nothing to fiddle with!! Cheers |
I get where you coming from, the tactile experience of vinyl playback (starting from removing LP from shelf, admiring the exquisite art work and content, removing LP from jacket, the 5 step cleaning ritual before finally dropping the needle) all can be very fulfilling to many. That’s just one aspect of Vinyl playback, we have not even discussed the steps required to setup a turntable :-) Now you can get most of aforementioned tactile experience from a top loading CD player and XRCD’s that features exquisite packaging and artwork. I use ahp Klangtuch IV cloth to wipe clean and remove any electrostatic charges on all of my CD’s before dropping them in my top loading Raysonic CD128 player. |
Agreed! David, excellent observation and perspective. Charles |
Not sure who you are referring to with this statement. I was attending live musical performances before I became aware of the High End audio world. Quite honestly, the only purpose and reason for obtaining a high-quality audio component is to better appreciate the music I adore. It merely works as a conduit for that purpose. I still attend live venues pretty regularly. 10 performances so far this year. So, the music itself, first and foremost. The audio equipment makes it possible to appreciate it whenever I’d like to in my home. Nothing more or nothing less. I am pretty certain I am not the only one here who feels this way and behaves this way. Charles |
