Hi Alan
All Done
In the context of this debate I was thinking this morning about the olden days of television. Much of what was broadcast was on film but some was on VCR and the difference was obvious with VCR not fairing well in the comparison. It was even more obvious when some programmes were part film, part VCR such as in a mix of outside shoots and studio work. Nowadays TV programmes shot digitally are fine and often look quite filmic. In the same way digital music has come along way so that it is a perfectly enjoyable experience but not imho quite there yet in comparison with good old analogue.
Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702
Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days
Posts: 4,779
I'm Shaun.
I have to agree with your comments here. There are definite areas where digital is nothing short of a revelation within communications for example but once again it is quite sad that this has primarily been put to use in war and death and destruction. I think that TV is a huge step beyond where it used to be.
A lot of music played via digital means is just awful to listen to as no dithering was applied in the mastering process when going from say 24 bit to 16 bit - the music was simply truncated.
Similarly in the digital image world dither is useful for mitigating the effects of going from 16 bit to 8 bit.
Done well digital will become analogue in quality.
Noise can be beautiful, distortion is never.
Current: [P20] Roon/Tidal > Custom PC> Chevron Paradox NDF16 > Phast Pre > Neuro. 686 > Tannoy Berkley (RFC tweaks)
Location: Mildenhall, Suffolk
Posts: 380
I'm John.
I posted earlier, the post has not shown, so here goes.
I had the mini Bake Off with Stoyan present. I encouraged him to pick up the Sony CDP, so he could listen to it through my evolving set up.
The schedule we worked with was CDP for a few tracks which Stoyan is familiar with, to assess how my system worked with the CDP, done a platform exchange as well to Phonotherm, I think it impressed as the Phonotherm, left with the CDP.
Then we chose a Phonostage to use in the Bake Off, VAS Valve MM, with Hashimoto HA-3 vs DIGNA.
It is amazing how they are differing, but each is extremely attractive to the ear. For the added weight in the replay the VAS remained in place.
The interconnects were different, Stoyans DIY OCC Pure Silver on the CDP, and my recently purchased silver plated cables from Vas to Slagle AVC, and copper cable from HA-3 to VAS.
The AVC has three inputs, so swapping between sources was a simple matter of a rotary switch selection.
Volume on the Same Title, Vinyl / CD was varying, the best match was Alicia Keys 'Songs in A Minor'.
I was chief switcher, it was apparent immediately that there was a very close match from both mediums, the were slight differences picked up, a more prominent vocal, or instrument, but both were equally impressive.
Stoyan had the Sweet Spot, on the Esl 57's and I trust his judgement in relation to the staging, he felt on few tracks the CD expanded beyond the speakers further than the Vinyl. He also felt the Vinyl had a less coloured lower bass note.
I felt it was a case of if any medium was being replayed for a period with out the switching, a listener would relax in to the replay and be totally happy with what they were listening to.
Not bad if you take a £7000 Vinyl Set Up, vs a £1200 Valve + other Mod's Sony CDP.
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days
Posts: 4,779
I'm Shaun.
Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio
Hunter S Thompson