Which is more accurate: digital or vinyl?

What are some examples of music that does not sound like music? Isn't that a paradox?

Live, vinyl, 78 rpm, CD, mp3..... it all sounds like music to me. The thing is even all live music sounds different based on many factors that come into play in any particular case. Same true with recordings. One must be careful about making generalized statements like all ______ sound like this or have a problem with ______. Its all good in the end if used effectively. 78s (gen 1 technology) does have the most obvious limits, but I have a good feel even for what 78s should sound like so I expect nothing more which enables me to appreciate some of teh good things that even such a technically flawed format like that has to offer.

A bit off topic here, but it seems to me that a lot of classical musicians spend a heck of a lot of time working on their "tone".

Electric guitarists do too! Like crazy- very picky as well.

++++ A bit off topic here, but it seems to me that a lot of classical musicians spend a heck of a lot of time working on their "tone".+++++

True, but I assure you that even more energy is spent on good rhythm. But interestingly (and this points to some of audio-related issues being discussed here) while rhythm is something that can certainly be "worked on" or practiced by a musician, the kind of rhythmic flexibility and control that defines an artist as opposed to, simply, a good musician is something that is difficult to learn. Many times (not always) it is something that is innate. Tone can be worked on and developed more easily. The control and flexibility that define an artist, and which allow him/her to be expressive in a way that really touches the listener is what gets distorted very easily by recordings.

People make the rhythm, not the recordings, right?

I'm not sure how one format or another gets an advantage regarding rhythm.

Surely imperfections in record manufacturing including warping can have an effect on things. Not sure I understand how digital would normally have any rhythm issues. Resolution, maybe, but resolution and effects of that is different from rhythm at least with how I understand these things.

RE***What are some examples of music that does not sound like music?***

There aren't any because if its "music" then it sounds like music!

The are many examples of noises that try to fool you into thinking its music though! (but ultimately cant and doesnt)

It's a great cliche and true..."a superlative system will make the gear disappear."

Our systems can be very good approximation's of the real recorded musical event. That's the good news.

Remember the police's album..."the ghost in the machine"?

Open up the top of your amp or cd player. Can you see the music there amongst the capacitors and wires? Where is the music and what is it? What makes it come?