Can digital get to vinyl sound and at what price?

[Rexp]

I have transferred all my tapes to DSD128, and with the PS Audio Directstream Mk II, I am quite happy listening to digital and only occasionally listen to the tapes. Since I have most of my beloved analogue recordings now on tape format (vast majority master tapes, a few on 4 track tapes), I have been gradually thinning my vinyl collection. For new recordings, there is no point in getting vinyl if there are high rez digital files available. At risk of being trolled, once you have heard a good tape or even high rez DSD file, vinyl often seems compressed and distorted. This has nothing to do with playback equipment, as the problems have been baked into the LP itself.

How many DSD albums do you buy a month?

 

[adrianywu]

How many DSD albums do you buy a month?

A few per year really. 90% of my files are my own transfers or recordings.

 

[PeterA]

 

[Al M.]

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With the 2023 version being mostly digital .

 

[PeterA]

With the 2023 version being mostly digital .

Yes, yes, I know.

I would say "partially" digital. There is no digital conversion needed in one's system to play a new vinyl record. Some are indeed made from digital recordings and or have a digital process somewhere in the chain as I understand it. The final vinyl record is still an analog thing that has grooves that are read by a cartridge and the process of playing it is all analog. But, I know what you mean, and it is a shame that there is any digital anywhere in the chain of making the record. Some new vinyl is all analog.

The chart still makes a strong point, and I find it pretty funny and somewhat ironic.

 

[Rexp]

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Don't forget the cassette revival, highest sales last year since 2003!

 

[Kingrex]

I received the Puritan Routmaster and plugged it in. Then went and walked the dog. When I came home I turned on Qobuz streaming and put on a favorite album. My first thought was. Holly cow. My streaming sounds Amazing!!!! Some of the best playback I have heard.
I went to dinner with friends and came back for late night listening and put digital HQ player on. I was fully drawn in and engrossed through 2 albums. Then I unplugged the ports and listened again. I think I heard a haze and was not into it. Agitated. I plugged it all back in and immediately noticed more clean, higher detail, much more nuanced and natural. I again was totally drawn in.

So, I am pretty darn confident a $700 routemaster/citymaster is worth it. And,streaming is a very viable totally immersive source for music.

 

[PYP]

The chart still makes a strong point, and I find it pretty funny and somewhat ironic.

and is 75% of that Taylor Swift albums? That might tell us the market for vinyl these days. I've met Millennial audiophiles who love TTs. For these kinds of trends, it is always interesting to get the data behind the trend.

Obviously, that chart does not include downloading and streaming. Those numbers must dwarf the consumption of vinyl and CDs. But, this is a topic for another thread perhaps.

 

[PYP]

I ditched vinyl and moved to purely digital .
Reasons :
1.Infinite amount of songs via steaming
2.Ease of use.
3. Sounds better/cleaner to me on most albums especially high res formats .
I don't feel I'm missing out on a lot honestly .
Anyone here made the same move ?

I'm 100% digital. In fact, risking my audiophile union card by stating it, my music listening is about 98% streaming from Qobuz (via the dreaded Roon). Needless to say (perhaps), the streamer makes a difference in satisfaction (as does care with the upstream).

But you are talking about a format/medium (hardware), essentially. If I had collected my favorite vinyl for music recorded in the 50s and 60s (say, jazz and classical), for example, I wouldn't ditch it. It is unlikely one can get remastered digital versions (from the actual master tape) of a lot of those precious records. I have found some decent remastered 50s jazz on Qobuz, but not many.

 

[Audiohertz2]

So can Digital match Analog and at what cost

 

[Audiohertz2]

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[Audiohertz2]

I ditched vinyl and moved to purely digital .
Reasons :
1.Infinite amount of songs via steaming
2.Ease of use.
3. Sounds better/cleaner to me on most albums especially high res formats .
I don't feel I'm missing out on a lot honestly .
Anyone here made the same move ?

Not here ,

You cant really be serious about Audio /Music reproduction and have a single format. Digital only or analog only is missing the point , too many great recordings on both sides to leave anything on the Table ..

Sonically Analog cleans Digital clock IMO, but no way i would be analog only and pass on great Digital music ..!

Not even up for consideration ..!


Regards

 

[Joe Whip]

Can’t say I agree. If I was a collector, yes. But I already have enough great music on digital that it will last me for a lifetime.

 

[hopkins]

Can’t say I agree. If I was a collector, yes. But I already have enough great music on digital that it will last me for a lifetime.

There is nothing to agree or disagree with here.

If you want to play a numbers game, then I could point out the number of albums available on cassettes (or even 8 track) and argue that there is "enough great music" to last a lifetime.

Moreover, the term "collector" is quite vague. If I purchase an LP from one of my favorite artists because it was never issued on digital, does that make me a "collector"? The DJ Biz Markie, RIP, had close to 100.000 45s and 12" records - so perhaps everyone would agree that he is a "collector". Audiophiles typically don't have huge collections (I don't) but probably more than the average person on the street. So are all Audiophiles "collectors"?

 

[Bbock]

I don’t know . . . I use most of the formats (LP, CD, Stream) because there is music I like that is only available on CD or LP and isn’t available by stream. Most everyone is cognizant of the advantages and disadvantage of each. I’m glad to have a choice.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Not here ,

You cant really be serious about Audio /Music reproduction and have a single format. Digital only or analog only is missing the point , too many great recordings on both sides to leave anything on the Table ..

Sonically Analog cleans Digital clock IMO, but no way i would be analog only and pass on great Digital music ..!

Not even up for consideration ..!


Regards

Agree 100%

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I'm 100% digital. In fact, risking my audiophile union card by stating it, my music listening is about 98% streaming from Qobuz (via the dreaded Roon). Needless to say (perhaps), the streamer makes a difference in satisfaction (as does care with the upstream).

But you are talking about a format/medium (hardware), essentially. If I had collected my favorite vinyl for music recorded in the 50s and 60s (say, jazz and classical), for example, I wouldn't ditch it. It is unlikely one can get remastered digital versions (from the actual master tape) of a lot of those precious records. I have found some decent remastered 50s jazz on Qobuz, but not many.

RIP, that is the sound of your card being torn in half
101010101010 in digital for you too.

 

[Rexp]

Can’t say I agree. If I was a collector, yes. But I already have enough great music on digital that it will last me for a lifetime.

So you wouldn't buy an LP if it sounded much better than the digital alternative., you'd rather not listen to the music you loved or listen to it knowing it doesn't sound good?

 

[wil]

So you wouldn't buy an LP if it sounded much better than the digital alternative., you'd rather not listen to the music you loved or listen to it knowing it doesn't sound good?

I think his message is that he already has more than enough great, and great sounding, music to listen to in his lifetime. Some people might not want to set up another system — I know I don’t.

 

[tima]

You cant really be serious about Audio /Music reproduction and have a single format. Digital only or analog only is missing the point , too many great recordings on both sides to leave anything on the Table ..

What is your system?