Technically, digital audio provides superior more accurate
by Duke Camaro (2018-12-11 21:28:02)

In reply to: Without question.  posted by mocopdx


sound. Digital recording methods provide more technically accurate sound reproduction with greater tonal depth. Digital audio playback, in essence, can perfectly reproduce this without any degradation or loss of fidelity.

The problem with digital, is that it is often highly compressed. To wit, the songs you hear on Spotify or even iTunes downloads are highly compressed from their original recordings to make the files smaller. Even CDs are compressed somewhat (though far less than mp3/aac files). For example, most digital recordings are done at 192 khz and 24 bit depth. CDs max out at 44.1 khz and 16 bits. MP3s/AAC/are far below this, with streaming even further below.

Usually, when people say that analog vinyl produces "richer" or "fuller" sound, what people are hearing is actually analog noise that "thickens" the sound but is further from the original sound source (similar to how pumping the bass can make a song sound "better" but is not necessarily accurate).


This is why I prefer CDs
by doolinbanjos  (2018-12-12 11:25:33)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

They sound much better than Spotify and are immensely more practical than vinyl.


While I've had some hearing loss and don't really
by 84david  (2018-12-12 11:47:55)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

have "the ear" to discern great sound over very good sound, doesn't it still come down to quality of your sound system?

Listening to music on cheap ear buds is probably just as bad as an old rusty turntable.

Just as you can get excellent turntables, I suppose you can get very fine CD or MP3 equipment. I wouldn't know either way.

The practicality of CDs is quite true.


Great explanation *
by thecontrarian (click here to email the poster)  (2018-12-12 09:29:40)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post