GDHAL wrote: In my view, CD's are preferred, not necessarily "better".

You are exactly correct, thanks for that bit of straightforward thinking. And let's call CD's "digital", since most access these files rather than play the shiny disk.

I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and I have hesitated to jump in, but I actually do want readers to come away with an accurate read on this dicey topic. Without saying too much (my intention has always been to keep my identity out of the forum as to eliminate any perceived biases), let me just say I have significant experience in analog playback (perhaps one of the top couple dozen people in the industry).

As an additional caveat before I weigh in, let me also say that I use hard drive based, full rez or high-rez, audio for the vast majority of my listening because of all the things everyone has already said about convenience and ease of access. No argument there. And I will also say that digital recording technology and quality has improved light years since introduction.

All that said, cost no object, there is no digital playback system that can match the fidelity of analog. Period. Yes, a $499 disk player (Oppo let's say), or even less with a hard drive based system and a good D to A, will give you 95% of the digital fidelity that's available out there. A $499 turntable with cartridge will, sorry to be blunt, suck. Besides all the convenience and durability issues, the fact that most people's experience with analog is on $199 turntables really nicely sums up one of the reasons for the LP's original demise.

In response to the "analogs failures", as brought up here in various posts:
- Surface noise: Non-existent on a high quality playback system with high quality vinyl
- Dynamic Range: Theoretically as wide as that of a CD
- Compression: Everything is compressed at recording, including classical
- Durability: Be careful, keep them clean, they last forever
- Convenience: No argument there, one for digital
- Length of play: Yep, not as long as a CD
- Cost: Yep, analog is a big loser here too - if spending less than $5K, stick with digital

How expensive is my analog setup? Including phono preamp, about $15K, and one could spend a lot more. But, if you want to hear how incredible your Triton Ones sound, analog is the ticket.

OK, how about 24 bit hi-rez (48kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz) stuff? Much better, very close from what I have heard (primarily because the red book CD requires a brick-wall filter at 19kHz to support the 44.1 sampling rate. There's a reason amplifiers have bandwidth to 100kHz and higher.). If everything was hi-rez, I would probably give up using my analog setup. Maybe.

Thanks to all for the posts in this category - enjoy your systems, no matter what your source!

Moderator,

Thank you very much for the input. When you say $5,000 to get into analog, what would that cost cover? Just the turntable or other gear? What would be a good break down of that $5,000? Turntable, needle, preamp, record cleaner, cables, etc.?

Cheers,

T Cobe

Something like this:

$2000 - Turntable
$1000 - Tonearm with cable
$1000 - Cartridge
$1000 - Phono stage

That said, a $500 cartridge may be the hot ticket, or maybe a $750 phono stage. There always seem to be bargain/high-value audiophile components in these categories. I can't really say that $2500 won't get you close enough (I'm not familiar enough with all that's out there today), or that $10,000 wouldn't be much better. The most recent new item I've heard about was from one of GoldenEar's sales guys, He recently upgraded to a Parasound JC 3 phono preamp (I believe sells for about $3000) for his analog setup. He was real excited about the improvement. This stuff adds up fast, as others have correctly pointed out.

I bet she sounds as impressive as she looks.m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1020...878874&id=1219496650

Anthem,

I bet that TT does sound amazing but well out of my comfort zone. The wife gave me a Pioneer PLX-1000 for my birthday so my journey into vinyl has begun. As always, I try to look for value and getting the most bang for my buck. This seems like a good option. She was able to pick it up through a friend with employee pricing! Unfortunately, I have no time off to get a cartridge installed and get things playing...

A few reviews that caught my eye:

www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-d...#l6ZKjiTX326k5mQx.97

www.cnet.com/news/pioneer-plx-1000-a-dj-...audiophile-can-love/

While this turntable doesn't carry a premium badge, it is a Stereophile Recommended Component (like some other products we are familiar with). I'll probably start a new thread on my experience in testing LPs versus CDs. I can't wait to listen to some classic jazz!

Cheers,

T Cobe

Have fun with your new toy T. Cobe,
And IF you can, stay away from the Kelloggs Rice Krispies, you know, snap, crackle and pop!!!!
Seriously, enjoy,
God Bless,
Wayne