WBF Poll: Which Sounds Better, Digital or Analog?

[bonzo75]

Both, depends so much upon the recording/ mastering, I am amazed how good vinyl can sound despite its technical limitations.
Keith.

You actually heard a difference between two things ??

 

[dallasjustice]

In Marty's system the Analog through DSP slams the digital through DSP. And his Analog isn't expensive.

I don't doubt it. I think there's something very pleasant about vinyl and I don't think we've discovered what it is. If you look at what I said though, I said "unadulterated vinyl." Marty's vinyl to DSP setup is probably in a different league than the way vinyl is typically done.

 

[bonzo75]

It is important to differentiate between what you prefer and what might be technically more accurate, one piece of equipment IMHO, rarely 'beats', 'slams' or 'blows into the weeds' another unit , sometimes there are differences.
Keith

keith - When I say better, it means more soundstage, better slam, more dynamics and better texture and tonality, as opposed to I prefer the warm sound to the neutral one. Regarding accurate, one is analog, how it was recorded and played back in, the other is artificially recorded. So not sure what you mean by technically accurate.

I don't doubt it. I think there's something very pleasant about vinyl and I don't think we've discovered what it is. If you look at what I said though, I said "unadulterated vinyl." Marty's vinyl to DSP setup is probably in a different league than the way vinyl is typically done.

Michael - Marty's vinyl system is in quite a humble league. The Goldman studio (not reference) is available used 3 - 4k. He has it on a vibraplane. His source set up by wallet big forum standards is quite humble, both in digital and analog terms

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

The question is not what's better, but which sounds better to you, irrespective of a formats limitations or the expenditure made. Seems a simple question.

 

[Peter Breuninger]

1) reel to reel tape, 2) reel to reel tape, 3) reel to reel tape.

 

[caesar]

What category does high-resolution digitized vinyl fall into?

 

[Al M.]

You guys think and analyse too much. Whether it's the best of the best or my own system, I feel that analog is much more engaging and thereby more enjoyable to these ears than digital.

'Engaging' is quite subjective. I have a CD transport/DAC combo that sounds very lively and dramatic, with great separation of musical strands, and I find digital in my system just as engaging as analog on others. I do find analog more resolving, especially in timbral detail, and I find its tonality more corresponding to that of (unamplified) live music (again, only under the best circumstances, on the very best pressings of great recordings, spun on some of the best turntables).

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

What category does high-resolution digitized vinyl fall into?

Like a margarine that purports to taste like butter.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

'Engaging' is quite subjective. I have a CD transport/DAC combo that sounds very lively and dramatic, with great separation of musical strands, and I find digital in my system just as engaging as analog on others. I do find analog more resolving, especially in timbral detail, and I find its tonality more corresponding to that of (unamplified) live music (again, only under the best circumstances, on the very best pressings of great recordings, spun on some of the best turntables).

Of course it's subjective....the question is subjective. I don't understand the need to pad answers with qualifiers.

 

[ddk]

Like a margarine that purports to taste like butter.

LOL !
david

 

[FrantzM]

In Marty's system the Analog through DSP slams the digital through DSP. And his Analog isn't expensive.

Bonzo

You realize that in Marty's case you go through a Analog to Digital followed by a Digital to anlaog conversion? That you are actually listening to a Digital Source ... I

 

[bonzo75]

Bonzo

You realize that in Marty's case you go through a Analog to Digital followed by a Digital to anlaog conversion? That you are actually listening to a Digital Source ... I

Yes. Which sounds much better than his digital source

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I do a poll of listeners leaving my room.

so far it's 673 to zero.

 

[amirm]

What category does high-resolution digitized vinyl fall into?

Digital. Trying to separate people into camps that say digital can never sound as good as analog.

 

[amirm]

I do a poll of listeners leaving my room.

so far it's 673 to zero.

I need to come back to your house to make that 673 to 1. I think we only played analog when I was there. Or wait. Is that what you did for the other 673???

 

[caesar]

Like a margarine that purports to taste like butter.

I have no doubt my margirine tastes better than your butter.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I need to come back to your house to make that 673 to 1. I think we only played analog when I was there. Or wait. Is that what you did for the other 673???

you have to stay longer than 30 minutes this time. we always start with digital, and play any digital references that a visitor might have brought to give them a reference. once we start the analog it's rare to even go back to digital unless it's brief A/B.

and bring your own digital if you like. my analog will take on all comers. ask Steve, Marty and Russ.

and I listen to plenty of great digital, and love it.

but this thread is about which sounds better.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I have no doubt my margirine tastes better than your butter.

As long as you enjoy it!

 

[caesar]

As long as you enjoy it!

In the end, isn't it what it's all about?

It's silly and sad, but it seems like 80% of the arguments in this hobby are about taste.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

In the end, isn't it what it's all about?

It's silly and sad, but it seems like 80% of the arguments in this hobby are about taste.

I agree. And the other rather sad thing is that many believe you must have SOTA to truly enjoy it. It's not said in those words, but it's often implied.