Analog and digital audiophiles

[Alrainbow]

I think while some can do both most are one or the other
it's not what sounds better as I think both can be great in there own way while being close but not the same.
Bad analog is not as bad as bad digital and digital. for many digital gets the short end of the stick while claims of analog only are best.

[MylesBAstor]

I might also add that everyone has their own reasons for choosing one or all mediums. But the important thing is to respect each other and admire those who really try and extract all that each medium is capable of delivering.

[Alrainbow]

Myles if I ever seen disrespectful I appoligise Mke upfront
it's never my intention only to show or learn. This hobby is filled with those who know until someone shows them different a bitter pill i sorts. If one spends 100k its time to get off the train right ? But some still ride as most of us
this means we are never done. For me in my situation I am done and I mean that what I have left is play with what I have. So please understand my honesty but not ever meanaing to be synical
hiw many shows do we go to and hear soooo many 100k rooms that sound sooo not what we call high end.

[MylesBAstor]

Al that wasn't intended at you. Believe me. Just a general statement there are many roads to Rome and everyone chooses their own path and what sounds best to them. I kinda wish we had a few more digital guys like you, Norman (and Mike who plays in all ballparks). I enjoy reading about what you are doing and what's happening in digital. What's new today in digital is old news tomorrow.

I also think sometimes were are too quick to judge the different mediums and need to hear each in a system where the person has optimized the sound for digital, analog or tape.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

For me, my listening is split pretty evenly between analog and digital. These days I put more effort into improving the sound from the digital rig mostly because I am really happy with how my analog rig sounds. Whether I listen to one or the other mostly depends on my mood. When listening to LPs I mostly listen to the whole album, but when listening to the server I tend to skip around a lot, playing one or tracks at a time, or shuffling a genre or some playlist.

We find so many ways to divide audiophiles - analog vs digital, solid-state vs tubes, planer vs boxes, speakers vs headphones, fancy cables vs cheap cables, specs vs sound. There is no benefit to it. Everyone finds their own path to musical enjoyment, and we should all be okay with that.

It all feeds into why we do such a poor job of explaining this hobby to newcomers.

[Alrainbow]

Great reply
thanks

[Bobm]

I also find myself split between the two. The convenience of digital is had to dispute, and the ability to get whatever you want in that medium is perfect. But then I put on an album after not hearing one for a week or two and I understand exactly why I have a vinyl rig.

[Alrainbow]

Vinyl and tape rule no doubt why who knows maybe it's what we grew up hearing. I know some claim analog is real that comment I do t get there is no real just our perception of it. Have anyone play a real instrument in front of you and it's not even close or barely a resemblance of it. Yes our systems give us a grand illusion and the best digital I own and cherish is from analog not lite pure digital go figure

my one point I do wish to make is not many who do both do them both well I feel. Having heard many great setups of both they are I think great in there own universe lol.
As my days in this are running out before it's done I will have a great analog front end even if I have to pay to borough one just for my own process.

Thanks all who reply to my odd ramblings

[MylesBAstor]

You should drop by one day and hear the new tape setup. I think you will be shocked.

[cpp]

I like and enjoy both analog and digital. After all isn't it about the music and not the medium. For me its about how we listen to it and what brings us the most joy during the day. I get that with both analog and digital. .

[Johnny Vinyl]

Although I'm 95% vinyl when listening in my basement setup, I am not anti-digital by any stretch. I listen to FLAC every day while on my laptop or desktop. I'll also pull out an album on CD I don't have on vinyl and bring it downstairs to listen to on the system. And while I do prefer the sound of vinyl playback (warts and all), it isn't just about the sound/audio quality. If LP and CD/FLAC sounded exactly alike I would still choose LP as I'm a very tactile person and consider that part of the pleasure it brings.

[JCOConnell]

I also find myself split between the two. The convenience of digital is had to dispute, and the ability to get whatever you want in that medium is perfect. But then I put on an album after not hearing one for a week or two and I understand exactly why I have a vinyl rig.

I notice the same thing EVERY time I go a few weeks of listening to digital only and then put on a good Lp. The sound is amazing.

[JackD201]

I get intense pleasure from both. It's just more intense from vinyl in my case. There are times however when I'm just so tired that plopping down with digital is all I can muster. Sometimes I get recharged and go do a few sides of vinyl before shutting down. Digital can be great, just like analog a little effort can go a long, long way.

[MylesBAstor]

Again with digital, it often comes down to the source, not just the medium. As I've mentioned before, the sound even of reissues is all over the place.

[JackD201]

Too true Myles, too true.

[RandyRobinson]

I think many but not all of the differences between analog and digital are directly related to the investment made. I like the more consistent quality of the vinyl recordings I buy and the convenience of digital. I buy vinyl and record it to digital.

[Bruce B]

I'm format agnostic... whatever moves me at the moment. I've pretty much got my analog sorted out. The digital can always get better, though I'm using Merging Tech and Playback Designs at the moment. I had a Balanced GG in here for a while but it was too cumbersome to use in a studio setting.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

When I buy an LP, I try to get the CD or hi res download also, so I can listen to the record or from the server. Eventually need to get a A/D recorder so I can rip my collection. Not to replace, but so that I can have both. Hope to try out a Tascam 24/96 and DSD recorder later this year. they are pretty reasonably priced.

[JCOConnell]

When I buy an LP, I try to get the CD or hi res download also, so I can listen to the record or from the server. Eventually need to get a A/D recorder so I can rip my collection. Not to replace, but so that I can have both. Hope to try out a Tascam 24/96 and DSD recorder later this year. they are pretty reasonably priced.

Have you tried recording in hi rez thru your PC line input ADC? I occasionally rip LPs to my PC and get great results at 24/96K. Just use what you already have and some digital recording software.