I've not jumped on the SACD bandwagon. Rolling Stone ranked them No. I would rank each. SACD vs. On the other hand digital has advantages in terms of low noise, low distortion etc so if you value that more,. Or that only some PS3s do SACD?neverbe said: ↑. 1 kHz sampling rate, SACD samples at 2. It seems that while expensive turntables, tone arms and phono stages are easily jusitifed in these type of. I have plenty of other SACDs in my collection that. If you want to try SACD on a budget (relatively), the Sony UBP-X800M2 Blu-Ray player plays SACDs (as well as DVD Audio, which does high-res surround). I listen mainly to vinyl via a Marantz TT15 Benz Wood SH MC combo. I would think that the Vinyl will sound better than the standard CD. I listen mainly to vinyl via a Marantz TT15 Benz Wood SH MC combo. although I get the impression they just don’t put the same effort into the SACD release. Gallery. UPC: 093624979340: Availability:. Never the SACD player as a SACD player vs a dedicated CD player with the same SACD hybrid disc. Boy, what a difference. DSD uses delta-sigma modulation a form of pulse-density modulation encoding, a technique to represent audio signals in digital format, a sequence of single-bit values at a sampling rate of 2. Vinyl. Since this is just for SACD vs SACD I'll start a thread on my preferred mastering for jazz and classical for all digital formats. I do have an unwrapped Cramberries (best of) SHM CD with me. I don't know which is more truthful. Slight increase in frequency range and they also have a lot more features on the Blu-ray disc that are fun to play with. There are records for every genre of music I listen to, whereas almost nothing I listen to is ever released on SACD. This release was originally announced in late 2019 and fans have been waiting patiently ever since. #3. Direct Stream Digital (DSD) is a trademark used by Sony and Philips for their system for digitally encoding audio signals for the Super Audio CD (SACD). Although the MFSL version is very clear and precise, the SACD version is more expansive and full. • The first international release of the recording on Hybrid SACDs, allowing listeners to hear the enhanced resolution of these new transfers and playable on all CD players • The first and only complete Wagner Ring cycle available in Dolby Atmos Channel separation. Stereophile SACD test Hi everybody, I've just joined this forum after reading this thread on the Stereophile test. Quote: Originally posted by kelly jopi The largest problem I have with these subjective opinions is that rarely are both the SACD player and the turntable system of equal quality. SACD VS Vinyl for Jazz and Classical Well, I've been thinking of getting into vinyl for a while now but still haven't done it. I've a Sony XA7ES cd player that has served me well over the years, but even it doesn't get enough play to. With estimated sales of. I sampled a bunch of SACDs and kept finding differences that were attributable to different mastering. If you like those genres then I can support jumping into SACD's in 2022. CD has a tint. I've a Sony XA7ES cd player that has served me well over the years, but even it doesn't get enough play to. I cant tell the difference with the CD's as they dont have as much range and clarity as the other 2. That old mix was reissued on SACD by Audio Fidelity in 2015, and then it was issued again on Blu-Ray by Rhino in 2017. Might as well jump: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab has announced that Van Halen's first six multi-platinum albums originally released on the Warner Bros. Tullman, Jul 31,. Be fun to have that and play mastering engineer. (Believe it or not, this was a major argument in some of the original SACD sales literature. Get either the target Morrison Hotel CD or the Audio Fidelity. . This is the first time the. By Paul Sinclair. CD, SACD vs LP, Vinyl, Album#CD #vinyl #hifiFor those of you who have not seen my complete music room and system tour and LP, CD SACD tour please click on th. Vinyl- whoa. Noone else has a date. If the system is highly resolving there is a considerable and sometimes overwhelming difference. No change in data , no change in sound , simple as that. . The remastering has added the humanity and warmth Mozart requires. It’s a Japanese copy of Dire Straits first lp. gloomrider, Feb 20, 2014 #177. Hybrid Stereo SACD. Actually, probably the biggest difference that I have seen with the SACD format. According to a theorem called. although DVD-Audio does sound great too. First I played my vinyl copy yesterday and found it be exquisite. However, we find a significant variation of the levels of the top of the spectrum (above 15 kHz) due to an equalization or to the burning head (red zone). Once you listen to the unbelievable sound of the grandfather clock chiming you. I may have to compare the SHM-SACD or other CD versions to this SACD to see if it improves at all on those. Two channel SACD just blew away the CD's, while hybrids were not out yet I had albums that I had both the CD and the SACD to compare. I've a Sony XA7ES cd player that has served me well over the years, but even it doesn't get enough play to. 1 remixes which I love. Deeper fuller sound across the board. SACD (1999) uses completely different 1-Bit method of encoding so it is hard to extrapolate, but best guess, SACD is about. This stereo UHQR reissue will be limited to 30,000 copies, with gold foil individually numbered jackets, housed in a premium slipcase with a wooden dowel spine. In other words it needs some work to breath. Well I have the MFSL vinyl of Desire, and reckon it's pretty darn good. If you like SACDs, the 2004 reissue of Relaxin’ by the Miles Davis Quintet sounds equally fantastic, albeit a little different with a brighter high end and more noticeable amounts of tape hiss. I can hear the difference between CD and vinyl, and between CD quality and high-def audio. If it's a choice between vinyl and SACD in headphones, then most people with any sort of budget will almost certainly pick SACD. SACD vs. The band's incendiary…I agree to a point, but "everything matters" and adding an well built, linear power supply to my source made a subtle but very, very noticeable improvement as did cableing, power cables, isolation, etc. " CD or SACD vs Vinyl. Often times, the. SACD vs. better stereo separation, etc. If that makes sense. Like the DVD, SACD was a dual-layer format, but instead of one or two high-density layers, the SACD could have a high-density layer and a CD-compatible layer, so the. What do you think about SACD vs Vinyl in sound terms? I know it has been deiscussed but if you feel like answer me now after some years after its. I chose Mono because these titles interested me the most. The overall mastering job is superior on the Abkco releases and the detail is greater on both the SACD and vinyl reissuses. Both formats have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. Overall, Aja represents a high-water mark in Steely Dan's career, showcasing the band's unique blend of. Animals is a concept album, focusing on the social-political conditions of mid-1970s Britain, and was a change from the style of the band's earlier work. Add to Cart. I've not jumped on the SACD bandwagon. One of the benefits of SACD is the dead quiet background. One is the MFSL version which I loved. I do have an unwrapped Cramberries (best of) SHM CD with me. It sounds great; a very good remastering job. Hello, I have never listened to a SACD system and would like to know how it compares to vinyl. Durability: SACDs are more durable and resistant to scratches compared to vinyl records. I no longer have the capability of playing vinyl. Fourth - 45 rpm vinyl . SACD, to me, just doesn't sound real, life-like, or true. So far I had different results. I've a Sony XA7ES cd player that has served me well over the years, but even it doesn't get enough play to. A Secret Lab. SHM-SACD vs original CD (WB), vs original vinyl (WB) I first cleaned each vinyl LP on my NG 1. Vinyl has more. Vinyl. The dynamic range of vinyl is about 75dB, CD is 96dB, SACD is 120dB, and the human ear picks up 130dB. It's not exactly chopped liver sonically as I recall, but I will likely go for the MFSL SACD as well, if only to get a nice redbook to boot. Redbook back in the day. The SACD versions bring the best of the digital versions with the MOFI SACD followed by the 1999 SACD. See moreSACD obviously has an advantage on portability and probably overall SQ - but that's still subjective as I might enjoy the "colorization" of vinyl more. e. Shawn, Dec 8, 2012. I've noticed a surfeit in the cost and availability of SACD's - prices are really cheap for some top notch music, often recorded in Europe with the cost for many disks below $12- with shipping no less! I'm in the process of digitizing my vinyl along with ripping hundreds of CD's to my Mac, but I also like playing. Whether you are just getting started building a classical music collection, or a seasoned collector, there are many ways in which to enjoy the music. . Better than vinyl, better than reel-to-reel, better than CD and even better than DVD-Audio. The most notable proof of this is the CD4 quadraphonic system which relied on a 45 kHz bandwidth. 112 posts total. The quantization noise floor for 16-bit digital audio (the CD standard) is -96 dB, each bit yielding 6 dB of headroom between the noise floor and the ceiling. I listen mainly to vinyl via a Marantz TT15 Benz Wood SH MC combo. Although the MFSL version is very clear and precise, the SACD version is more expansive and full. Quote: Originally Posted by FenderP To me, it's not about formats. Whether is was done 15-20-30 years ago or today. It’s appalling the crap they’re releasing to kids these days… Cheap recycled vinyl, pushing the acetate to the limit or until it’ ground in some spots. I don't know which is more truthful. Like Dark Side, this is a defining record not only for the artist but for a genre of music. sacd superior to rbcd Login / RegisterAllowing for the quality of the youtube audio , that is pretty much what you would expect to hear from those 3 different masters and Its not really fair to say its a CD vs SACD vs Vinyl thing. Examples: AcousticSounds offers 1,614 titles on SACD and 28,670 on vinyl. Page 1. As a college student, he played in indie bands, created his own LPs, cassettes, and t-shirts, and sold them at shows. I listen mainly to vinyl via a Marantz TT15 Benz Wood SH MC combo. ? I jumped into the SACD thing because I wanted agood digital source for my CDs so I said why not pay some more and get SACD. For Up, SACD is the one to get. I've not jumped on the SACD bandwagon. I've noticed a surfeit in the cost and availability of SACD's - prices are really cheap for some top notch music, often recorded in Europe with the cost for many disks below $12- with shipping no less! I'm in the process of digitizing my vinyl along with ripping hundreds of CD's to my Mac, but I also like playing a. Luke theorizes that the 2003 SACD and the MFSL were sourced from an LP cutting master and that the original master mixes were used on the Biograph and GHII remasters. Moody Blues "Question of bal. . So, Changes CD is DR 12 and Changes SACD is DR 11. I like Analogue Productions' work, so it should be interesting to hear how they sound. for making the SACD version, and instead they CHOSE James Guthrie, who was an engineer producing, e. As noted in my previous post [link], the Forum didn’t want to pay the $. 4 restitution, but in binaural, this version does not follow the fineness and the presence of the stereo vinyl and SACD versions. More sharing options. The overall mastering job is superior on the Abkco releases and the detail is greater on both the SACD and vinyl reissuses. Would someone out there who has the vinyl and has compared it to either the MFSL CD or the newer SACD please. jmtd. I listen mainly to vinyl via a Marantz TT15 Benz Wood SH MC combo. But the dramatic difference occurs in vinyl. CD: SACD’s high resolution and dynamic range typically exceed those of standard CDs, resulting in a potentially more detailed and accurate listening experience. I am intrigued by it but don't know if it would really give me any better quality for some recordings than what I already have. I have two completely different setups for vinyl, and digital, and my vinyl is always a little more bass and drums heavy, past that, no glaring differences. Music, Musicians and Bands; Activity. Dam and Dorian75 like this. The MoFi vinyl is a real eye-opener. culabula, May 3, 2020 #11. Link to comment Share on other sites. SACD offers pristine, high-resolution digital audio with exceptional detail, while vinyl provides a warm, analog character and a tactile, nostalgic experience. I do have two different versions of "Question of Balance". Boy, what a difference. One example is excess Volume Compression in modern music. While vinyl records, in theory, directly encode a smooth audio wave, CDs sample that audio wave at various points and then collate those samples. Midrange is sweet. Quick links. I've a Sony XA7ES cd player that has served me well over the years, but even it doesn't get enough play to. Sponsor NewsMini-meet Shootout: AKG K1000 vs. This release was originally announced in late 2019 and fans have been waiting patiently ever since. I've not jumped on the SACD bandwagon. I grew up in the analogue days (vinyl and tape) so tape hiss is to be expected on recordings. 1:17 - Stereo CD Layer4. Wave 8 Primary equipment used: AKG K1000/ASL AQ-1005 DT/ASL Wave 8/Marantz SA8260 SACD player Stax Classic System II/Music Hall MMF-5 Turntable/Creek OBH-8 (This thread is multiple forum-spanning, I just chose. Kevin Gray's work is superior, no matter the format. True. The latest in this long history is a double-blind test that, the authors conclude, demonstrates that 44. . . onlyconnect, Sep 19, 2020. I listen mainly to vinyl via a Marantz TT15 Benz Wood SH MC combo. But again, I'd love to be proven wrong. I have a few titles on both vinyl, r2r, cd and SACD. The higher resolution of the blu ray might also explain the audible tape hiss not heard on the cd. Well, I've been thinking of getting into vinyl for a while now but still haven't done it. " For classical I prefer SACD due to the format's running time though. Blows them all away with more full body richness. The vinyl was much better. I've not jumped on the SACD bandwagon. On the other hand digital has advantages in terms of low noise, low distortion etc so if you value that more, go for the SACD. Please login or registerlogin or registerThe primary difference noted between the LP and SACD was the increased soundstage and depth of the SACD. The best of both worlds is vinyl ripped on a very high end rig in High res and then converted to DSD. While the standard CD format is tied to a 44. 1kHz/16-bit digital audio is indistinguishable from high-resolution digital. Then I bought the new SACD version. They are very. I do have two different versions of "Question of Balance". . SACD players have a 8 to 10 second delay as they switch layers and the mastering can be different on different layers, even on the same hybrid SACD. But the more I listen the more I enjoy music, tint and all. Vinyl is an analog storage medium, which means there is a physical record of the music imprinted. Vinyl, ASL AQ-1005 DT vs. Kyhl, Aug 10, 2022 #19652. . Often times, the differences can seem quite small upon initial comparison, for example, the Beatles remasters in 24 bit vs. SACD can get really close to how good vinyl can sound but not deteriorate so for me SACD wins. Note the word “indistinguishable. YES Fragile also sounded quite excellent. The album features classics such as "Spanish Castle Magic," "Little Wing," "Castles Made Of Sand,". . One is the MFSL version which I loved. Warner Music [Sony Music outside Europe] today announced the upcoming release of Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals’ on Deluxe Gatefold, CD, LP, Blu-ray and SACD. But don't have YesSongs on disc (have it on original vinyl only). SHM-SACD vs Original LP/Original LP-rip, Original CD and other reissues. I voted 'Who Cares. I found pretty cheap options in my local stores with used items: DVD player - Philips DVD-SACD 763SA (has SACD support) SACD player - SONY SCD-XE670. Los Angeles, CA. Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (D1) (2004 Rocket SACD HR B0001570-36-1) Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (D2) (2004 Rocket SACD HR B0001570-36-2) Elton John Honky Château (2004 Rocket SACD HR B0003609-36) CD, SACD vs LP, Vinyl, Album#CD #vinyl #hifiFor those of you who have not seen my complete music room and system tour and LP, CD SACD tour please click on th. On the other hand, at least to my ears, the bass lines are noticeably subdued on the 2012 SACD compared with the 2002 redbook CD. The SHM concept is nonsense , its no different to those magic markers that you were supposed to color the edges of your CD's with. Steely Dan's gold-selling fifth studio album The Royal Scam, was produced by Gary Katz and was originally released by ABC Records in 1976. Tip about the 1812, the first cannon shot is the toughest of the lot to track, that one is a beastie (the Shure V 15 Type IV mounted on a SME III tonearm came closest in the day, or the Audio-Technica 440 ML). Bluebook The right price. It. Boy, what a difference. Vinyl. I've heard to the contrary, that the QUAD version. I've a Sony XA7ES cd player that has served me well over the years, but even it doesn't get enough play to. Australia. I think it would be wise if all nicely done remasterings today (for CD, vinyl, SACD, whatever) also include a back-up/safety copy of the actual master tape (plus minor EQ changes if necessary) onto 24/192. Sony SACD. Would someone out there who has the vinyl and has compared it to either the MFSL CD or the newer SACD please. disc duplication: The Indie Music Minute. What i meant was,as a whole,sacd recordings are good wheres dvd-audio recordings are a hit-and-miss. I'm generally rather selective about my SACD purchases and only have about 25-30SACD recordings now although I plan to order a lot more as more and more reissues come out. Moody Blues "Question of bal. The SACD is definitely much more forward and vivid across the board, with ringing steel strings and a real bite to the violin. The latest in this long history is a double-blind test that, the authors conclude, demonstrates that 44. It was released on two formats: On vinyl record, as an Ultradisc ‘One-Step’ Limited Edition 33⅓ rpm LP, pressed on Neotech’s Super Vinyl™ contained in a commemorative slip box, (and), on CD, as a single Ultradisc 'UHR' Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) contained in a gatefold card sleeve. Hopefully this will give you some ability to make a fairly knowledgeable leap to make the album purchase one way or another. Submitted by Irwin on Sun, 2015-04-26 01:07 . In-Stock Music Orders Over $99 SHIP FREE Within The Continental U. I wrote I was somewhat pleased with the mastering. Given that they use the same mastering the answer is NO. I've a Sony XA7ES cd player that has served me. Way. I’m interested to hear the opinion of those who regularly play LPs as well as their digital front-ends. Singles 1969-1973 has a re-record or two, a little remixing, and other touches. Hi commsysman. It may still engage me more, even if the SQ overall is not as pristine as an SACD. (Figures IIRC, can't find citation at the moment. Moody Blues "Question of bal. Low Noise Floor: SACDs tend to have a lower noise floor compared to vinyl records, which means less background noise or surface noise during playback. Gooey black bag houses an extremely high quality record sleeve with postcards, posters, 320 kbps MP3 download and sturdy inner sleeve and a very nice vinyl record in a plastic sleeve. Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by fluffskul, Apr 26, 2012. I don't know which is more truthful. In. There are more albums where I compared against a standard CD. The band did NOT like it at all. One is the MFSL version which I loved. Disagree. I don’t care what they claim they did to the CD. S. Actually, probably the biggest difference that I have seen with the SACD format. 49. It has long been believed that the human ear cannot hear frequencies above 22 kHz. The difference between 24/192 and DSD is that the DSD sounds more analog like, but this is not a huge difference in overall sound quality. Similar to what I notice. Although the MFSL version is very clear and precise, the SACD version is more expansive and full. Audiogon The world's largest high-end audio community. Steely Dan-Cant Buy A Thrill-Hybrid Stereo SACD|Acoustic Sounds. Weirdly, the reviewer concluded that Vinyl is superior to SACD/DVD-A. Re: Super audio cd vs dvd audio. You're comparing a fully mature fomat (vinyl) with what, 80 years of development behind it, to one with 4 years or so. Don't want to spend a lot of money, maybe I will not like them. The real advantage of a (multichannel) SACD player is the ability to listen to the surround sound recording. Maybe no better overall than any other version. Actually, probably the biggest difference that I have seen with the SACD format. SACD vs. High Resolution: SACD offers a significantly higher sample rate and bit depth, resulting in more accurate and. I don't know which is more truthful. ) than the original 2002 redbook CD. #30. There's no real difference between the sound characteristics of vinyl, SACD or CD. From the sound’s point of view, there is always a difference between SACD and the regular cd, but that left apart, usually XRCDs are sounding much better than their CD-DA counterparts. It sounds like MoFi master their vinyl and SACD separately. SACD vs VINYL. Then I bought the new SACD version. Thread Status: Not open for further replies. . The differences between them, resolution wise, are huge since XRCD is a pure red book format at 16/44. Thread Status: Not open for further replies. Denon - DCD-A110 SACD/CD Player. SACD sure isn't growing but Analogue Productions, MFSL, Refefence Recordings and Universal/Sony out of Japan/HK continue to release new albums on SACD. You can hear what inspired Hendrix - he obviously didn’t stumble on the stereo mix of 'Watchtower' first. Digital vs. CD - page 2 Filters for SACD and DVD-Audio . " DeTurk is a big advocate. I do have two different versions of "Question of Balance". It may still. It's a euphonic medium to me, at the end of the day. of the Dark Side of the Moon, is NOT good sonically. (Not Eligible for Additional Discount) $35. It came as a total shock to me, since I heard so many people claim that SACD is mostly an overkill for the human ear. Then I bought the new SACD version. But I don't like surface noise or pops or skips. Anyone here made such a comparison ?, if so. . I'm generally rather selective about my SACD purchases and only have about 25-30SACD recordings now although I plan to order a lot more as more and more reissues come out. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables. . 6%. One is the MFSL version which I loved. This is the average EQ of the first track, Tears of. I live near a JVC distributor and have access to many of the titles. Audiogon The world's largest high-end audio community. Acoustic Sounds Audiophile Vinyl Records. I can see how people still prefer vinyl over any other digital format, but this is most likely more subjective (vinyl has a special sound which is nice, no doubt). If you're a big classical/jazz listener, SACD is completely worth it. Both sound great but I only want to keep one. #6. Vinyl depends on a mechanically driven system, and any such system will introduce minute changes in the speed and pitch of playback. I do have two different versions of "Question of Balance". On the vinyl, the violin and the acoustic rhythm guitar lay back a bit, and there's a slightly rounded-off, woody tone to the drumming and the bass, and a very, very subtle tunneled, recessed quality to the vocals. The better sounding recordings any given record company are the one's chosen for SACD release. #2. Share Jun 15, 2007 at 8:50 AM Post #29 of 33 Forest Design 100+ Head-Fier. 1% $750-$1,000 15 vote(s) 8. The critics used a very expensive sacd player against a very expensive turntable. " CD or SACD vs Vinyl. While vinyl records, in theory, directly encode a smooth audio wave, CDs sample that audio wave at various points and then collate those samples. " CD or SACD vs Vinyl. 8224 MHz. These backup copies could be used for future releases whenever a new convenient data medium comes around. For 11 years, I’ve enjoyed a Puccini + U-clock to spin CDs and (especially) SACDs. Then I bought the new SACD version. The category "Outstanding" doesn't mean audiophile sound, but outstanding quality compared to original pressings. All great stuff and this combined with the revitalized vinyl market bodes well for my enjoyment of music at home and is a much brighter picture than I saw when the future of audio seemed only CD and compressed. 15 on its list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time. I did the comparison via my Stax Lambda Pro headphone system (which can be quite revealing). Look how far CD sound has come in the last 20. I always remember the SACD being pretty good, but I now think the vinyl destroys it. Video and Audio Formats on Plastic – Part 3 is an introduction to audio formats on CD, SACD, DVD, DVDA and Blu-Ray. Location: United States. Thread Status: Not open for further replies. . So far my favorites from each format are as follows: SACD: Eric Clapton - Journeyman DVD-A: Fleetwood Mac - Rumors DVD (Dolby Digital/DTS): Eagles. I'm generally rather selective about my SACD purchases and only have about 25-30SACD recordings now although I plan to order a lot more as more and more reissues come out. So, out of sheer desperation, I ordered the standard US CD from Amazon. An XRCD is just a redbook CD that goes through a special mastering process, usually at 20 or 24 bit, as apposed to a standard redbook CD that is mastered at 16 bits (the XRCD's are converted down to 16 bit at the end of the mastering process in order to retain compatibility with redbook standard). Hi all, Im searching for some way to test SACD compared to vinyl. Szeppelin75 Forum Resident. Not that the SACD doesn't sound really good. 1. SACD vs. From the sound’s point of view, there is always a difference between SACD and the regular cd, but that left apart, usually XRCDs are sounding much better than. g. Would someone out there who has the vinyl and has compared it to either the MFSL CD or the newer SACD please. Not making "excuses" for SACD, just making a point. Given the same mastering, vinyl is still better than redbook. But when I find an album that is available in SACD vs Vinyl----SACD 90% of the time, unless the LP is a collectors items and LTD edition. This is the SACD that was recommended by Steve and it is the best I've heard so far. New Jersey, USA. I listened to them a few times each over a period of a year. Actually, probably the biggest difference that I have seen with the SACD format. I've not jumped on the SACD bandwagon. A good vinyl record (that is scratch free, been cleaned on a vacume based record cleaner) sounds better then a CD, with again broader, deeper sound field, smoother over all audio, etc. On September 16th Analogue Productions announced they will reissue the entire ABC/MCA Records Steely Dan catalog on SACD, and 45rpm UHQR LP, beginning November 4th with their debut album Can't Buy A Thrill, now in its 50th anniversary year. SACD. Sep 23, 2022. New posts Search forums. Vinyl has more. More 'holographic', deeper staging. The higher the bitrate, the better the sound quality. Apr 23, 2008. Location: Panama. For vinyl releases, I have this pressing, a MFSL pressing and a late 70's/early 80's US pressing (which is now pretty worn) and I prefer the MFSL version. I am a big vinyl fan, but have a small library of SACD's. Fourth - 45 rpm vinyl . Description. S. Show Printable Version; 12-12-2012, 03:54 AM #31. Both vinyl records and Super Audio CDs have their merits and drawbacks, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal taste and priorities. I listen mainly to vinyl via a Marantz TT15 Benz Wood SH MC combo.