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Digital vs Analog experiment

Here is an experiment I did. I own the same recording as

  • CD
  • High rez file from HD Tracks
  • High rez stream from Tidal
  • LP
  • Exactly same LP recorded by me into 24/96

LP and 24/96 recording sound identical to me. Both sound better than any of the first three. Now, HD Tracks file sounds better than CD, but not by much. Which gives me feeling that what they sell or stream is a studio master before it was downsampled to 16/44 for CD production.

So basically the LP is simply mastered better. CD is mastered to be played in cars and on consumer equipment. LPs tend to be mastered for more advanced listeners, or at least is as compressed.

The issue is not that analog is inherently better. The recording is actually different.

mikhailark
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,515 posts
 

In my experience with some of those similar file formats is that the source equipment made a big difference. I had some friends listen to CDs, streamed files on two different brands of streamers, switched out DAC and also used an older turntable with basic phono preamp. I got mixed results with many preferring hi-res streamed files. Much depends on quality of equipment IMO.

gregm
3,397 posts
 

The issue is not that analog is inherently better. The recording is actually different.

Agreed - although I would suggest "the source material is better". That said, may people actually like the analogue sound, in and of itself (I do too).

No matter how high resolution your digital rig, if the file being played is squashed down to 6dB dynamic range it's not going to sound good.

 

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
932 posts
 

Did you match levels with a volt meter? "By the ear" is not good enough! The louder sample will always sound better.

mikhailark OP
130 posts
 

I did not match precisely, but it was familiar recording and fairly significant details were missing. Such a bass drum on CD and HD Tracks was close to non existent while clearly there on LP and 24/96 I made myself. 

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