Which is more accurate: digital or vinyl?

So far direct cut vinyl is probably the best . Redbook CD has a restricted top end compared to the best vinyl and will not reveal the same level of detail but can still sound very good. HiRez has great potential but requires more effort than most of us are comfortable with to get its best. The world is digital at the micro level but analog at the macro so there is no real answer to this question.

I would say vinyl still has the edge. Through the whole process, it also keeps it in the same mechanical vibration format it started out in, and is reproduced by the speakers in that manner, the same as we hear. The gap has closed quite a bit though. I use more digital because of the convenience, and availability.

"Interesting question, Mapman, but I don't think that it has an answer. Since there are a great many ways in which each medium and its reproduction can be inaccurate, how does one weight each of those ways relative to the others, and tally up a net balance?"

I didn't think it would be an easy question to answer, which is part of the fun, at least a slightly different spin on a common debate.

I suppose one would have to create a model of some sort to determine. Best model wins, however that is determined.

I see digital as inherently more precise in that vinyl results can vary much more widely I think.

My gut tells me that decent digital is more accurate as well in that tolerances of digital gear is pretty tight with those relating to timing and jitter being the show stopper for many. Vinyl can be all over the place and requires a lot of owner loving care to even deliver whatever the level of inherent accuracy (of reproducing what was recorded) there is.

Also, I am not convinced that jitter is necessarily a significant show stopper these days if a pretty straightforward proper appraoch is taken for the home system building.

"I would say vinyl still has the edge. Through the whole process, it also keeps it in the same mechanical vibration format it started out in, and is reproduced by the speakers in that manner, the same as we hear."

I used to think that but having heard really good digital of late am not so sure these days.

Keeping things in the same (analogue) signal domain seems good in theory, but assures nothing in of itself. There is lots of good and bad in the non digital real world that we live in. If not being digital were the ticket, we would live in paradise perhaps.

The quality of execution of the overall process (design, tolerances, etc.) is what assures results. Digital has a lot of advantages in practice as well as theory in this regard that helps make the case.

Hmm. How are you guys defining accuracy?