2. analog
  3. 1279551421

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
phaelon
1,049 posts
 
"Digital better than all but a $35k vinyl rig?"

I didn't say that Tex. Draw!
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
BANG, your gone Phaelon!! We're always packin' in South Texas, that was a bad call on your part.

2 out of 3?
phaelon
1,049 posts
 
LOL... OK, I'm dead(for now); but learn how to read anyway.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
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.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
I was listening to some very electric CD tracks by The Cars yesterday.

Did not hear a trace of soul there but it was most intense and musically gratifying nonetheless.

Had some remastered James Brown playing also the other day. Lots of soul there fer sure! Same true for Mahalia Jackson (Ellington's Black Brown and Beige) as well!
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