Quote Originally Posted by O'Shag
OUH ARRRR Scrooge.

Own up Feanor. You've probably never even heard a good analogue rig. If you think the record player you have is capable of reproducing analogue in its full glory - think again. I have a setup sufficiently capable of extracting very good performance from both digital media and vinyl. I can tell you categorically that certain aspects of vinyl easily trounce any digital media you care to mention. Homogenization is an area where vinyl so clearly excels over cd. There is greater seperation and air around instruments. The sound blooms as it does in real life. There is much more natural definition without any artificial edginess. Trouble is, you've never heard a good vinyl reproduction system, so I think you should reserve your criticism until such time as you have.
We seem to have gone off topic a bit here, but what the heck!

O'Shag, I believe my analogue system is pretty good (feel free to comment by looking at the spec below, you may disagree), but I have to say that ticks and pops which are inherent in the medium are partly what spoils it for me. After getting used to the virtual background silence of CD which allows me to listen to the music without dirtaction by the offending noise of vinyl, I am finding myself enjoying the cd more. The ticks and pops become rather like someone eating pocorn behind me when I am trying to enjoy a good film at the cinema!

Also, I don't believe it is as clear cut as one medium being better than the other. Having replaced some of my vinyl with CD's, I have found merits and drawbacks with both. I depends purely on the pressings. Some CD's I have bought quite definately sound better in terms of clarity, soundstage and overall presentation than the vinyl pressings and there are examples where the reverse is true. No matter how good your analogue or digital system is, it can only be as good as the recording and pressing you are playing.