Have EMM cdp and DCC2 - what turntable to buy

After reading many posts on this site, it seems to be the consensus of opinions that a high quality turntable will beat the best digital gear including the Meitner. I respectfully disagree, after listening with my system as follows: VPI Scoutmaster, with a Clearaudio Discovery cartridge which has a Thor Audio Phono stage, Thor Audio TPA 150 watt Monoblocks, Quad 988's, and on the digital side a Cary 306/200 which I use as a transport, with a Thor Audio Dac, I can say that on identical music, the digital cd side wins 8 out of ten times. I know that I am in the minority on this one, but with a quality CD/Sacd
the music has more depth, more dynamics than with my turntable and my phono stage by Thor Audio which is top notch, and so is my Linestage by Thor Audio really super. I just find the CD sound superior. Now in the interest of getting better turntbale sound I was thinking about spending another $3000.00 and upgrading to the Super Scoutmaster, with the new JMW-9 arm, but now I am in for $5500.00 with a nine inch arm. I might be better waiting until I can spend $5000-$6000.00 on another table with a 10-12 inch arm. Supposedly the longer arm yields better performance. Either my didgital performance is super or my turntable performance just doesn't do it for me. Any comments would be appreciated.

Dear Kjl: I know very well your cartridge ( I owned ) and I think that your tonearm is not the best match for it. The Discovery likes a medium-high mass tonearm with solid and very well made bearings, like SME or Ikeda tonearms. I think that you have " to play " a little more with the VTA on the Discovery. This cartridge is a very good music performer.

Of course that a better TT can help.

Now, there is another issue and is that the LP's and the CD's are not produced ( engineering ) the same.

There is no single reason for a better dynamics on the CD " per se ". The LP has a more extended frecuency dynamic extension, more natural music presentation and better tonal balance. Where the CD could be better is on the low bass response. Now, the SACD and DVD Audio is something diferent , better tan the Redbook and very near from LP. In some recordings it can even or beat the LP.

I know that, like you say, your Thor electronics are top notch but the use of SUT's is not the best for the quality music sound reproduction.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Raul:

What are Sut'S?

SUT = step-up transformer

I love my EMM stack, but once again my simple Nottingham Hyperspace, SME V & VdH Condor are simply more enjoyable on more music. I don't know what I have going on but it is incredible. Mind you it isn't a huge difference, but large enough that I almost listen only to Vinyl. The EMM is very good on CD & excellent on SACD. Still SACD although technically better than CD & very close or better than Vinyl can still lose the musicality of vinyl.

My main concern would be the lack of SACDs & more music coming available on Vinyl all the time.

Hope I have helped.