after TT upgrade, digital sounds like crap- help


I listen to mostly digital, and a bit of high quality 180g, 200g, etc vinyl. I upgraded my turntable, cartridge, and rack yesterday. I'm having a problem now in that my digital chain is sounding quite pale in comparison to some of my favorite vinyl. It's not sounding bad, just a bit cold, stale, hollow, etc in comparison. I'm not down with this at all.

I'm wondering if anyone may be able to suggest a method (maybe new piece of gear) to help fill out, warm up, etc my digital chain. The vinyl is just sounding wider, warmer, fuller. The stereo width difference on a lot of the stuff I listened to last night was quite dramatic.

My system is comprised of the following:

1. B&W 683's
2. McIntosh MA6300 (used as preamp, power amp, and phono stage)
3. Mac Mini and Sonos Connect running, Audirvana for hires, Spotify and MOG
4. Oppo BDP-105 (used as DAC for Mac Mini via USB and Sonos via coax)
5. Rega RP3 + Elys2
6. Audioquest cabling where it counts
radambe
Chayro,
I'm with you, both formats can sound very good or not so good, depends on what you're using and the setup. Sweeping proclamations that one blows rhe other away hasn't been the case in my experience. Some records and turntables are dogs as are some digital playback.
Regards,
In terms of trying some CD playback..... I do not own a single CD. I could burn one I guess, hehehe.
Burned CD's can vary greatly in quality. I have heard some that sound great and others that were unlistenable. Probably worth the price of a single CD to help determine the problem. I'm thinking the CD will sound much better than the Mac Mini or Sonos.
It's worth testing CD playback. You must know somebody who owns a CD; try using one mastered after 1990.
Buy my EAR 192 DAcute DAC I have for sale and it will fix your digital issues in a heartbeat! You need a better DAC.