Audiophilepure

Regular readers of my reviews will be aware that my listening reference is, first of all, live music, and that my experience is that analog reproduction using a first-class turntable, cartridge and phono stage generally does the best job of recreating the illusion of live music in one’s listening room.  My experience with Redbook CD is that the format from the last fifteen years or so can give satisfaction, particularly with pop music and jazz, but that they lack the air and micro-detail in orchestral and other classical music contexts.  Even with pop and jazz, analog can sound warmer and more natural and relaxed.  The amount of difference we hear between Redbook and analog can be very system dependent and certainly less noticeable on a less resolving system.  The DSD/SACD formats changed the digital game to a fair degree, but I generally still prefer analog.  Looking ahead, I will say that the EMM Labs DA2i has advanced the state of the format noticeably.

Comments are closed.