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How Good Can Digital Get?

I've read these threads on the EMM, Exemplar, DV-50, etc. with interest. Last year the "best" digital was the AA Cap II or Wadia/GNSC or MF Trivista or SCD-1 Modified Kern, or whatever. Now we've got a whole new crop of contenders.
You don't see debates like this in any other forum -- standard setting speakers or amps or turntables do not pop up every few months.

This suggests to me that (a) digital audio, like computer processors, is a rapidly moving techonology in which it's possible to make significant advancements quickly and successively; and (b) digital audio still leaves a lot to be desired (when compared to analogue).

What I wonder is will digital ever (really) get as good (or even better) than vinyl? My last comparison was my Audio Aero Cap 2 against a VPI Scout and the turntable truly did "trounce" the cd player. It was a difference in kind, not degree. Given that redbook CD is just a sample of the analogue wave form I have trouble understanding how it can ever sound as fluid, natural, and, well, musical as a properly matched and calibrated table, arm and cartridge.

That said, I have not heard the EMM or Exemplar gear. Am I missing something?
bsal
newbee
4,768 posts
 
I always find these digital v analog threads interesting if for no other reason is that I can never figure out what purpose they serve. The catalog for both mediums are hardly duplicative and if you care about music that has been recorded in the last 20+ years you can hardly ignore digital.
To proclaim analog supreme you must ignor all of its many and substantial warts. Yes I know, you can learn how to listen thru tics & pops, groove rush, inner groove distortion, improperly selected VTA etc, but so can a digitalphile learn to listen thru or accomodate their favorite meduims deficits as well.

If you have a great table/arm/cartridge combo and if you pay VERY close attention to set up, and if your LP's were recorded properly, pressed w/o defects, and cared for properly, yes they can sound better than digital and quite often do. But who really cares - you must make the best out of the systems available for the format the music come on. And yes, digital playback is improving, but then again so are the LP systems.

IMHO you do the best you can to make your sofware sound the best on the hardware you have or can afford and if you have a choice choose the format which shines the light on the music best on those occasions when that choice is available to you.

Sorry for the rant....
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Not a rant at all Newbee, and I think we need to change your moniker to "He who speaks wisely". Well saind.
rsbeck
887 posts
 
Newbee -- right on.
robm321
932 posts
 
"what if this is as good as it gets"
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
Newbee, you've got to change your moniker! A most insightful post, indeed!

Yes, vinyl has a magical quality that redbook CD's cannot match. As you pointed out, analog does have many warts. Most nights, I just want to plop down, and listen for 40 to 70 minutes of uninterrupted music. Preparing vinyl "for a spin" can seem like some type of "mating ritual". There are also some concept albums (Pink Floyd and Roger Waters come to mind) that flow better as a complete work, avoiding the lengthy side A to B vinyl flip-over. Furthermore, buying used CD's is a snap...just look at the disc's surface. Used vinyl that looks good may actually be ruined and unlistenable.

I will say that bowed violins and violas never sound quite right on my CD player (Accuphase DP-75V). But then again, I've heard strings sound scratchy on vinyl as well.

Some of the remasters, imports, and DCC CD's are sonic light years ahead of the original 1980's pressings!
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