When does analog compete with digital?


With vinyl becoming all the rage, many believe (perhaps mistakenly) that a budget of $1K will allow them to bring their analog front end up to par with their digital. I would like a reasoned assessment of this issue.

How much time, money, and expertise do you think is necessary before one can seriously claim that their analog front end can compete with their digital? What characteristics, if any, are simply incommensurable between these two mediums? Let's use my system as an example.

Personally, I tried to build an analog front-end that focused on texture/warmth (as opposed to dynamics), but I still feel as though something is missing. Trouble is, I can't quite put my finger on it. I'd be grateful for comments/suggestions (system in sig)
jferreir
To paraphrase the great Mike Myers (as the crazy Scotsman shop owner on Saturday Night Live), "If it's not analog it's CRAP!!!"

There I said, it. Digital better than all but a $35k vinyl rig?

Hahahahahahah, that's good.
"Digital better than all but a $35k vinyl rig?"

I didn't say that Tex. Draw!
BANG, your gone Phaelon!! We're always packin' in South Texas, that was a bad call on your part.

2 out of 3?
Some people can hear, some can not. Some will appreciate the "Soul" of the music, others have no idea what the "Soul" of the music is. Just as only "connoisseur's" of great wines can appreciate vintage grapes, so it is with "high end" audio. As snobbish as this sounds, it is a fact.
I can hear Theron_day's rig. That "groovetracer reference subplatter" definitely puts it over the top. His rig captures the "soul" of the music. If you can hear, "run with the big dogs", if you can not; stay at home.