Vinyl vs. Hi Resolution Computer Audio


Has anyone ever witnessed a competition between a really nice vinyl set up and a high resolution Computer Audio set up?

Something like the HDCD Reference Recordings using digital masters, Lynx sound card, and a nice DAC (Berkley Aplha DAC?) vs a classic Linn Sondek or a similar high end turntable set up? Which set up would you rather have if it was going to be delivered to your house tomorrow? Vinyl or computer?
128x128scottlanterman
Phaser,

That is a great answer. I have gotten rid of my CD player as my computer through a nice DAC sounds way better. It is interesting to hear that for folks that have both Vinyl and nice a computer set up that vinyl has the win.

Thanks,
Scott
Check out this thread which links to a round table of industry pro's and Michael Froemer...(of the mega vinyl system fame and Stereophile contributor) at the Philotechnic Society in NYC.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?gmusi&1230301509&openflup&3&4#3

Most Computer files are from red book CD's and you get what you get.

The roundtable reinforced that a lot of what I hear had to do with the contributions of the pro's in the chain of the performance to your ears. Those guys are PRICELESS!

My take home from the roundtable was that SACD was audibly better on a high resolution system (if done properly). Michael was OK with SACD but swore by his vinyl rig.

So a Vinyl to PC comparison has lots of caveats to factor in.

Since this is a hobby... you have lots of solutions to now check out for yourself.... good times!
Check out this thread which links to a round table of industry pro's and Michael Froemer...(of the mega vinyl system fame and Stereophile contributor) at the Philotechnic Society in NYC.

Oh my. I could clearly hear the difference between the Redbook CD and the vinyl LP via my laptop's speakers. I wish I had the money to invest in a good analog rig. I grew up with vinyl, but I never really owned a great analog system.
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If I had my druthers, I'd go for the computer digital setup every time without hesitation. Instant access, change artists on the fly, more time listening to music rather than searching through hundreds or thousands discs, no pr-vinyl-playing ritual of cleaning the disc, no need for a record cleaning machine.....I'm saving my bread to get myself a killer computer based system, like Modwright ultra-modded Transporter....my vinyl will then be relegated to maybe 5%-10% of my 2-channel listening.
Greetings,

Your questions is interesting in that you imply one should choose a digital playback system or an Analog system.

For Maximum pleasure you should have both. I designed the Music Vault Music Servers and if you plug a Music Vault 24-192 or the Music Vault Diamond into a first rate Dac like the the MSB power DAC or better you will be in for a real treat.

Certainly the best vinyl setup and the Music Vault with a high end DAC will sound different but that is just the way it is. The Music Vault and DAC will be more accurate and you may not prefer that sound as much.

I have over 2000 records so I will never get rid of my turntable but it is not better.

Music Servers done correctly can easily outperform CD Players that cost thousands of dollars and are much more user friendly.