^^I disagree with you completely, so many digital 'knock off's' are pale imitations of the old analog it's easy to tell the difference no matter what DAC you are running. Although I do agree having a decent DAC does make a difference.
You could spend less than a $1000 on a turntable/cartridge/phono-stage pre-amp that would surpass any but the most expensive DAC's out there, more than one audiophile has commented that after updating their analog gear they enjoy it more the expensive DAC's they invested in.
Listen to Van Halen I on CD, then play the vinyl, no comparison at all, the vinyl has Eddie's 'growl' in all it's glory the digital is lacking that completely and it's one of the easiest tests I do when talking old vinyl vs CD's, the feel of the guitar sound. The vinyl will make the hair stand up on the back of my neck, the CD I listen and think..."How did they manage to lose Eddie's signature sound... " (I have to say that not all the new 180 gram vinyl reissues are taken from the original analog tapes, there are a few labels who source a CD then make the vinyl from that, Music On Vinyl is one of the worst. I know I have a couple new pressings that sound like the CD so they weren't done from the proper source which is unforgivable. )
And I do have a nice DAC for my PC's, and a good amp and quality speakers/subwoofer as well.
The whole thing is why I have an axe to grind with Apple, and their i-pods. Instead of offering top quality they had no interest in that, they just wanted to make as much money as possible and even shafted more than one artist by not paying them the proper fees for distributing their music. If they had offered CD quality and then DVD/Blu Ray as things evolved then I would give them credit. Instead they offer i-tunes+...after being deluged with complaints about the crappy quality of their files.
I hope Neil finds a niche for his Pono, anything to help restore the balance in favour of quality is worth supporting.
You could spend less than a $1000 on a turntable/cartridge/phono-stage pre-amp that would surpass any but the most expensive DAC's out there, more than one audiophile has commented that after updating their analog gear they enjoy it more the expensive DAC's they invested in.
Listen to Van Halen I on CD, then play the vinyl, no comparison at all, the vinyl has Eddie's 'growl' in all it's glory the digital is lacking that completely and it's one of the easiest tests I do when talking old vinyl vs CD's, the feel of the guitar sound. The vinyl will make the hair stand up on the back of my neck, the CD I listen and think..."How did they manage to lose Eddie's signature sound... " (I have to say that not all the new 180 gram vinyl reissues are taken from the original analog tapes, there are a few labels who source a CD then make the vinyl from that, Music On Vinyl is one of the worst. I know I have a couple new pressings that sound like the CD so they weren't done from the proper source which is unforgivable. )
And I do have a nice DAC for my PC's, and a good amp and quality speakers/subwoofer as well.
The whole thing is why I have an axe to grind with Apple, and their i-pods. Instead of offering top quality they had no interest in that, they just wanted to make as much money as possible and even shafted more than one artist by not paying them the proper fees for distributing their music. If they had offered CD quality and then DVD/Blu Ray as things evolved then I would give them credit. Instead they offer i-tunes+...after being deluged with complaints about the crappy quality of their files.
I hope Neil finds a niche for his Pono, anything to help restore the balance in favour of quality is worth supporting.