Quote Originally Posted by Opti-cal View Post
Interesting to hear your experiences Geoff. 100% agree that there is still a gulf between the vinyl and digital realms but I believe some non-oversampling valve DAC's with clean output paths now give vinyl a run for its money. Eliminating some of the harshness associated with digital music and especially those poorly recorded/mastered CD's you are referring to.

The Jolida DAC referred to above does an okay job (its slightly modified too) but I also have a Musical Paradise MP-D1 (also modified) which is as smooth and warm a DAC s I've ever heard. Has some lovely NOS Western Electric tubes in it also which certainly tame any shrillness.

I'm told that SW1X DAC's are even closer to true analoge sound but haven't actually heard one myself.



EAR 834P - Best phono stage I've had or heard. I swapped the V3 position for a 12au7 as opposed to a 12ax7. Noise floor dropped significantly (albeit slightly affecting the RIAA possibly) but it was deep beyond belief. Should never have let it go . . . .

Thanks,

Chris
I now have a streaming system that stands up well to a good vinyl system in terms of SQ. The ability to travel with my entire digital library is a bonus.

I agree that the EAR834P is a good phono preamp although I think its MC input fell somewhat short of the MM input. For that reason I used it with an Audio Technica AT630 step up transformer. I got a good price for it, given that it was in excellent condition.

Geoff