2. analog
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HD Down Load compared to Analog.


Lately, I've been comparing HD Down loads to "analog". The obvious first advantage is no pops and ticks, but that's just for old records. Another advantage for me personally is that I don't have class "A" analog, I have class "B", which is very good. I still use Stereophile magazine's ratings of equipment as a way of conveying how good a piece of equipment is. While folks here put that method of conveying how good a piece of equipment is, they still concur with it, and they don't even know it.

Class "A" analog is the best, and it's always very expensive. You have to have 100% class "A" in the chain to yield class "A" sound, which is why I have Class "B".

In my comparison evaluation, I used Santana "Abraxas" as the test LP. Since I've worn out 5 copies of this album, to say I'm familiar with it is an understatement. "Singing Winds And Crying Beasts" is the first cut, it has "tinkly" sounding chimes that test definition on all equipment. After listening to a new LP, I gave it an "A" rating. This meant the HD Download would have to be some kind of fantastic to top the LP.

As soon as the music began, it became apparent the HD Download was superior; there was a "jet black" background. This is something I had never heard before. I'm fully aware of the fact that's an "oxymoron". "How can you hear what you don't hear, and you have never heard before". Only an audiophile can understand that, consequently, I won't try to explain it. After only two cuts, I gave the HD Download an "A+" rating.

While I have Class "B" analog, if you have Class "A" analog, it might be better than the Download, I don't know. These are the results from my comparison, I would like to hear yours.
orpheus10
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rauliruegas
13,095 posts
 
Dear Orpheus10: ++++ " If one already has a Class "A" analog rig, there is certainly no reason to get excited about HD Downloads,.... " ++++++

I have not experiences with HD Downloads in my system ( I will try to have it asip. ) but if is similar to the quality performance level of a well recorded DVDA played in a decent today DAC ( 32/192. ) then IMHO I can tell you that even those A system persons could be existed when they understand what they are hearing through digital and what is happening through analog, not before.

Regrads and enjoy the music,
R.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
There is no doubt that High Rez digital can sound very good. And there is no denying the convenience and noise floor are superior to very good analog. I would say that if one is starting out and has a very small music library, than an argument can certainly be made for skipping analog and going with High Rez files for both sonic and price reasons.

However, if one is older and has a large collection of records that are not available on a high rez digital format, then the argument can shift in favor or analog. There is also how the medium tends to be used. I put on a record and listen to it for 20 minutes. I've seen people with an iPad listen to high rez who only play one song while they are searching the screen for the next cut. It can be a very different experience.

I think most will agree that both can sound good.

Regarding Stereophile ratings: The best systems I have heard tend to be ones that have very well matched components and are very well set up in good rooms. They have little to do with Class A ratings and everything to do with the people who put the systems together.
zenblaster
504 posts
 
Raul,
It appears that your mind was made before you even listened.
As soon as the music began, it became apparent the HD Download was superior; there was a "jet black" background. This is something I had never heard before. I'm fully aware of the fact that's an "oxymoron". "How can you hear what you don't hear, and you have never heard before". Only an audiophile can understand that, consequently, I won't try to explain it. After only two cuts, I gave the HD Download an "A+" rating.
I thought you were more pragmatic than to loosely proclaim HD's superiority after a a few minutes of listening. Considering the subjectivety of "superior sound" and the vagaries of what constitutes "class A" and "Class B" it just seems out of character for you.
So, after 2 cuts you give HD download and A plus, have you reached the summit?
IMHO, once music enters the digital domain something is lost, the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. It looses something intangible and I haven't found a way to bring it back (dac are a compromise to equate digits to art, it will never replace the analog (art)
HD downloads come with a completely different set of compromises compared to analog, but they are there. If our reference is live music the jet black background is another form of distortion and that is only the begining.
HD allows us to perform a lot of tricks with music and in my mind takes us further from the summit.
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rauliruegas
13,095 posts
 
Dear Zenblaster: I do not posted what you posted. I understand was a " finger " mistake to took my name.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
zenblaster
504 posts
 
My apology Raul, I couldn't believe what I was reading, it was not your usual method.
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