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It is not about the technology but human perception. Human ear seems to be very sensitive to the repeating patterns (in the negative sense). The example of this is the "machine gun" effect where the same sample of, say, snare drum is played many times in a row. It sounds very unnatural so all modern samplers alternate between several samples of the same drum to make it sound more natural.

The digital recording is analogous to a big sample. No matter how many times you play it, it always sounds exactly the same. It may sound exciting at first but subsequent listening leads to a fatigue. (At least it happens to me.) The vinyl never sound the same due to the superimposed random noise. It may not be noticeable but it makes the sound unique every time you play the record.

I never left vinyl so I have built a nice collection of LP's, and equipment.
And to advance my own system is not too painful. But I had to start fresh, with nothing, I think I would find the task pretty daunting. It's a major commitment. The choices are overwhelming, expensive and full of dissapointments. I will not ever give up on my analog system, and continue to upgrade in small increments, but I have a system that gives me pleasure now. Starting with nothing, I would not do it and persue digital because one can build a very good sounding system with a lot less money and headaches than going vinyl

I'm not sure whether that is true or not. It may be. But what I've observed is that every time we improve what are already very, very good payback systems, more detail appears. Specifically, reducing noise in the phono stage: higher transconductance devices in the first stage; better step-up-transformers; quieter resistors; quieter and better regulated power supplies; better and where practical, smaller value, coupling capacitors; DC coupled output stages with greater drive capability, all lead to more of the recording being heard. Detail obscured is revealed. That is not a random noise contribution to the playback material, but an elimination of noise in the gain stages.

The same is true of the turntable itself. The cartridge needs that stable and aligned, tonearm to be able to track the groove. The cartridge itself needs the lowest noise windings, most resonance free housing and so many other good qualities to retrieve the music from the record. But the really important thing here is a quiet and stable turntable. A good table can make even a mediocre cartridge sound good. I was amazed when I finally stepped up from a low-line turntable (even after nearly $1000 of mods to it!) to a good table. My jaw dropped. It was the elimination of background noise that allowed me to see the stars. Yes, my eyes looked just like that 2001 picture!

To make those changes and hear the improvements is why I am in this hobby. It is expensive, difficult at times, frustrating and time consuming. But the rewards are to live for.

Mediocre tables shown below.

Stuart

Basis Debut with Air Tangent

Thanks Charlie!!!

PITA? Yup!

Expensive? Yup!

Worth it? WOW, YUP!!!