it would with an adequate disc source for comparison purposes.

The difference in sound is apparent even in decent modest systems BUT if the difference is better or worse is in the ears of the listener.

To me a modest digital system dollar for dollar, sounds better than a modest vinyl one and both sound a LOT better than MP3.

Other folk disagree

When really serious money is involved, the sound IMHO flips with the best vinyl sounding better than digital...but one has to spend a LOT to get to that realm.

Here are the types of things that matter, that influence what you are asking.

In no particular order:

1) You have to care about any apparent or perceived differences. Many music listeners simply do not, and that's no sin. Each of us has a "jumping off point" with any quest in life. You'll discover your limit---what matters to you.

This is NOT the same as saying "X is always better than Y, even if you can't tell the difference." At some point X won't be better than Y for you, even if it is for me. That doesn't make one of us right or wrong any more than it makes X better (or not) than Y for that person.

2) On the other hand, some people might as well be freaking deaf.

3) Listening experience is helpful, but I would argue not an absolute requirement in every case. Rather, your mind has to be open to it. (This is yes, related to #1.)

4) Of course, I lied about #1. Lossy files make Baby Jesus cry, and higher-resolution sources (good vinyl and hires digital) are better than CD. Doesn't take a lottery winner to discover it, but don't treat it as an afterthought either.

jonahnathan1 wrote:

JIMV, when you say "a lot" of money, how much are you talking about?

I think digital cleans the field up to at least $2K and between $2K-$5K it depends on the gear and over $5K, a vinyl front end is probably better.

In my world, $5K is a very great deal of money.

Almost any halfway decent system will easily allow one to hear how bad most MP3 files sound. In ultimate terms I believe vinyl sounds better than CD. Unless you're spending large amounts of cash for gear especially a TT (more than $3K for TT) CD's can and do sound very good.

Top notch playback of both CD and vinyl is preferable.

One can put together a Class A digital front end for far less than a Class A analogue one. That brings one to the next question...is Class A digital as good as Class A analogue?

I agree with all the commends above
I think it is an individual preference. To me, sometimes i prefer the cracks and noises of the LP record than a pure clear digital version of that song. (The Who- Live at leeds, u are supposed to hear the cracks and noises, if not, it is a sin :))
Sometimes, i just forget about the mp3 Vs Lossless Vs LP record issue and try to enjoy the song.
all depends on the mood. :)

I remember the old version with the pressing defect that made it SO noisy. I got a vinyl replacement and it sounded wrong for a while!

I think part of the cd/vinyl tension has to do with what you listen for and how much different distortions bother you. I have no problem listening past a few clicks and pops, but cymbals that sound like glass bother me a lot.

Trey