2. analog
  3. 182368-527

For the first time...

...my digital rig is besting my analog rig in terms of sonic presence and projection. This has never happened before as I've always been more focused on my analog side, letting the Oppo 105 do its thing. However, with some recent additions and changes, my digital side sounds much better and I'm uncomfortable with that. 

Analog:

  • NAD 558 turntable
  • Hana SL MC and Clearaudio Maestro V2 MM
  • Hagerman Trumpet MC phono stage

Digital

  • Oppo 105D BDP
  • Schiit Gungnir DAC

Amplifier

  • Schiit Ragnarok 2

Speakers

  • Reference 3A de Capo-i

I think the Gungnir was the game changer as it added a sonic presence and clarity missing before. I find my analog reproduction seems to strain more to achieve much the same signature and I don't want to jump back on the upgrade train in order to achieve parity. Blah.

128x128simao
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,273 posts
 

@simao endless pursuit. Analog and digital will most of the time sound totally different.
Few ways to deal with it -

  1. continue upgrading both digital and analog (you will end up doing just that because every upgrade presents a possibility of pushing digital performance beyond analog and analog performance beyond digital)
  2. Acknowledge that your analog front end will sound different and at times not as good as digital and leave it at that if you are so attached to your vinyl rig
  3. Abandon analog altogether, at least for time being, and focus on digital only, since having both will land you neither here nor there, unless you have unlimited budget and time.

My preference would be option 3. I’m pretty much in the same spot right now.

jl35
4,025 posts
 

I always felt Oppo was highly over rated as a CD player...I’m long time owner of 105 and 103

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 

Dear @simao  : How maNY ORIGINAKL lpS DO YOU OWN?

 

tHANK'S,

r.

simao's avatar
simao OP
1,830 posts
 

Hey @rauliruegas By original? But i have about 400 lps. I really curate my collection and if I haven't listened to an lp in a number of years I sell it. I can always stream it if needed. 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

And there folks is the problem. Simao is not an LP collector. In order for LPs to sound better than digital you have to be an LP collector with at least 2000 LPs.

Seriously, the only reason to be into records is you already have a pile of them and you really love playing them because you have been doing it for 65 years. I am guilty of both. However, a good uncompressed or lightly compressed digital master will trump any analog by a substantial margin. Only a few 45 RPM and D to D come remotely close. Am I going to sell my records? Hell no. I am a music collector.  

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