I just spent a morning of audio comparison with an audiophile friend. It was a VERY eclectic system.
Sources:
Denon 300f auto Turntable/preamp in one..($350 List)
Linn Ikemi CD
Panasonic RP-82 DVD
PreAmp
Meridian MC12 set to analog 2-CH
Amplifiers
Krell 3250
Manley Neo Classic 300Bs
Speakers
Sonus Farber Amati
Our day was mostly a direct Vinyl to CD or DVD comparison. We really focused on A vs B, and discussed the differences. To no ones surprise, we found the Vinyl to be more realistic, better overall tonality/musicality. Instruments and voices all were more believable than their digital counterparts.
The real revelation was putting the tube amplifiers into the chain, and what it did for the sound stage. I put on a copy of Billy Joel Piano Man, and dropped the needle. We were instantly transformed into this small club, where Billy Joel was playing a piano, singing a song, and most involving was the harmonica. It was JAW Dropping Stuff. OMG kinda stuff. We had listened to other CD and Vinyl on the Manleys, and were impressed, but not to the WOW factor until we played this track on his Greatest Hits record.
We later put the Krell back in the chain, and played Piano Man again. After a few seconds, we started talking about something - then went back to listening. It was nice, but uninvolved.
Back on track with the original post: Analog REALLY sounds best when coupled with Tube Amplification. A broad brushed view certainly, but I have toyed with a number of different combinations, and without question, this generalization rings true more often than proven wrong.
SO - Give some tube amps a shot in your system!
Jeff
Sources:
Denon 300f auto Turntable/preamp in one..($350 List)
Linn Ikemi CD
Panasonic RP-82 DVD
PreAmp
Meridian MC12 set to analog 2-CH
Amplifiers
Krell 3250
Manley Neo Classic 300Bs
Speakers
Sonus Farber Amati
Our day was mostly a direct Vinyl to CD or DVD comparison. We really focused on A vs B, and discussed the differences. To no ones surprise, we found the Vinyl to be more realistic, better overall tonality/musicality. Instruments and voices all were more believable than their digital counterparts.
The real revelation was putting the tube amplifiers into the chain, and what it did for the sound stage. I put on a copy of Billy Joel Piano Man, and dropped the needle. We were instantly transformed into this small club, where Billy Joel was playing a piano, singing a song, and most involving was the harmonica. It was JAW Dropping Stuff. OMG kinda stuff. We had listened to other CD and Vinyl on the Manleys, and were impressed, but not to the WOW factor until we played this track on his Greatest Hits record.
We later put the Krell back in the chain, and played Piano Man again. After a few seconds, we started talking about something - then went back to listening. It was nice, but uninvolved.
Back on track with the original post: Analog REALLY sounds best when coupled with Tube Amplification. A broad brushed view certainly, but I have toyed with a number of different combinations, and without question, this generalization rings true more often than proven wrong.
SO - Give some tube amps a shot in your system!
Jeff