Records and CDs

I seem to be in minority here, so decided to A/B. Playing Herbie Hancock Takin’ Off, both Qobuz streaming (24/192) and vinyl simultaneously. 
Analog side: Hana ML to Rega Aria. 
Digital side: Aurender N150 to Chord Qutest. 
Both sides playing through a Rogue preamp with Siemens nickel plate NOS tubes & LSA amp to KEF R11’s. 
IMHO, vinyl wins by a very small margin. Slightly more refined, smoother (less digital), slightly more dynamic. Very / very close. Close enough that the majority of my listening will be steaming, due to convenience & selection. YRMV

@signaforce 

I don’t see anything even remotely in the minority here. You had an old model lower tier streamer… not saying it sounds bad. I still have a Aurrender N100… but upgrade that to an N200 or N20 and bet the situation flips. 

Interesting observation on my streamer. The N150 is a current model that sells for $3,500. Between my streamer and DAC, I spent over $5,000. My analog side was just over $4,000 & in my mind superior. So you are recommending I move to a streamer that costs $7,000+, so $9,000 digital would be better than $4,000 analog?

Maybe, but IMHO we should be comparing like for like. If I then spend $9,000 on corresponding Analog (cartridge, TT, phono pre), I strongly believe the Analog would be superior, just like my current system or at any price point on a like for like comparison. IMHO. 
 

signaforce

102 posts

02-26-2024 at 11:30am 

Interesting observation on my streamer. The N150 is a current model that sells for $3,500. Between my streamer and DAC, I spent over $5,000. My analog side was just over $4,000 & in my mind superior. So you are recommending I move to a streamer that costs $7,000+, so $9,000 digital would be better than $4,000 analog?

Maybe, but IMHO we should be comparing like for like. If I then spend $9,000 on corresponding Analog (cartridge, TT, phono pre), I strongly believe the Analog would be superior, just like my current system or at any price point on a like for like comparison. IMHO. 

@signaforce it’s a trap! Tongue-in-cheek but trying to compare entire playback chains based on per-unit or overall cost is not an errand I’ll run. And if in the future it’s proven to be an errand for smart folks only, never mind, I’ll happily play the fool. 😉

First order of business would be confirming the master of the vinyl disc and streamed file you’re hearing are the same. If not, all bets off. Next would be the QC of the vinyl - most new digitized/remasters (streaming files) will be of limited dynamic range, but then so are many LP’s. You may well be comparing two different variants of apples or oranges, which would be sufficient for small differences.

Old vinyl is can be fantastic for albums that weren’t mastered digitally, weren’t remastered well, or that simply aren’t available via streaming or digitally at all. Good QC’ed vinyl doesn’t need a 5+ figure setup to sound great; then again, neither does digital. If I had time to digitize all my records, I would have extremely few left in my possession. Hopefully someday.

I’m beginning to see that making it a contest of digital vs. analog is a fool’s errand. 
 They can peacefully COEXIST in one’s listening habits, appreciating each for its own merits. I don’t have to only listen to one over the other as the “main event.”  Just accepting both as part of a satisfying listening experience is where it’s at.  There need be no “winner.” 
Of course I acknowledge the advantages of digital but it needn’t usurp analog.