What did it for me was comparing an identical album simultaneously on vinyl and cd and switching between the two with the preamp remote whilst listening.
I cued up Take Five (Dave Brubeck) on my Naim CD5 (a player with an apparantly pretty natural sound) and my Gyrodec and compared the two. Absolutely no contest!
The vinyl version was just so much more natural. Piano timbre was sweeter, recording acoustic was much more believable and the soundstage was way wider and deeper.
Some people comment that vinyl has a warmer sound than CD. I personally don't think the sound is warmer, I believe that the natural acoustics are more true to life and this gives the impression of a warm sound.
I have done this test blind as well and asked the wife and kids individually to listen to the two sources on various types of music and pick which one they prefer. They always pick vinyl every time and none of them have the slightest interest in hifi!
We do all have an interest in music though and all play the piano with varying degrees of success. Compared to real, live instruments I am convinced that vinyl wins every time.
Andy
Front ends:Vinyl: Michell Gyro SE, Techno Arm, Benz ACE. CD: Naim CD5
Amplification:Naim NAC 112, Naim NAP150, Naim Flatcap 2, Naim Stageline
Speakers:Neat Motive 2's connected with NACA5 cable
Stands:Home built 5 level Fraim