Cary 306/200 CD Player vs VPI Scout

As a follow up to my own thread, at price level would I need to be at (include phonostage, arm, cartridge, table, etc.) in analog to match CD quality. I know this a vague question but, hopefully you guys know what I mean.

As someone who's owned both a Rega P25, & a Cary 303-200 for years, I think it's such an "apples to oranges" comparison it's almost impossible to get a definitive answer (like "SS vs. tubes"). It's great if you can own both. I could live w/o vinyl (for awhile) if I had to, but not CD &/or SACD. Also, like you say, by the time you add a cartridge, phono stage (& don't forget a good record cleaning machine like a VPI), it can be complicated & expensive to get into vinyl.

I'm really happy with my P25 with a Benz Glider. It took me a long time to pick up a nice used phono stage (CJ-EF1) at a great price. In the same system, I'd say my Cary CDP beats it out on most recordings. And my Sony DVP 9000-ES is terrific on SACDs & DAD's, probably better than either CD or vinyl.

But then, nothing "sounds like" vinyl. Tho IMO CD's are a lot more consistant, & way easier to deal with.

Steveaudio, that's some good practical advice. Those were my initial biases and, I hoping to either validate or dissprove them in this post. I guess it's like that classic convertible; it's a great third car.

What would you do with all your CDs? You need something to play them. If you are into this for music, this should be a big part of your decision. If you are a gear collector, (and I don't think there is anything wrong with that if you are) or don't have many CD, you might go all analog, but if you enjoy the music on your discs, you shouldn't get out of digital entirely.