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Musing here... As I listen the the HDTT release of Sonny Rollins' Way Out West in the DXD mastering of the tape transfer HERE, I was prompted to think about what different listening experiences there are between media. Listening to vinyl (which I did for decades) is one experience, listening to reel-to-reel tape another. And now, listening to ultra-high resolution digital is yet another. Can anyone say that one is better than the other? No, I'm not willing to say this. They are different. Qualitatively, subjectively, they are different listening experiences for me. I can thoroughly enjoy the best of one. Then the best of another. And I am entirely happy in the moment.

So now, in the digital medium era of my audiophile life, I find myself being entirely happy with my all-digital listening. Of course, I am happier when I can listen to the best that digital has to offer. And when listening to lower resolution digital I know I am "slumming" just to immerse myself into a recording that is not otherwise available in some level of better digital sound that could be. But, I'm still happy.

Today it is the Way Out West album via a DSD256 transfer from an unnamed analog tape source that was then post-processed in DXD to alleviate some gremlins Bob Witrak felt he needed to address. Might it sound better in the original DSD256 flat transfer? Oh, yes, if the tape had been perfect (as some are), it would have sounded even more open, more transparent. But did this sound good? Yes! In fact, it sounds great!

And, it sounds like I'm listening to reel-to-reel tape. Go figure. The crazy nature of DSD256 transfers from analog tape.

So, I'm just in a happy place at the moment realizing how much wonderful music is available today in such excellent sound quality. I hope you are finding music that is pleasing you.

At the same time, being objective, I would have to say that I've come to the conclusion that a Pure DSD256 recording made today, with today's best equipment, is the best quality of sound I have ever heard. This is my subjective assessment based on what I hear.

But, there is also objective substantiation in support of my listening assessment. DSD256, as a medium for recording, storing, and replaying music, is objectively, measurably, lower in distortion, greater in dynamic range, more extended in frequency response, and faster in rise time on the leading edge of transients. As a consequence, it is ultimately more transparent, natural, and true to real life in it's capture of acoustic instruments in a natural acoustic setting. It is simply, measurably, better than any other medium we've had for audio recording.

And, I am, perhaps, finding these recordings to be substantially more "true" to life than I have ever experienced. (Go listen to any of the albums in my Pure DSD256: My Top of the Pile list.)

But, but, but... There is great joy in other media. There is a qualitatively, subjectively, immensely, satisfying experience to placing the stylus in the groove of a slab of pristine vinyl at 45 rpm on a great turntable like the Walker Audio Proscenium turntable that once reigned supreme in my listening room. That experience is a subjective, tactile, experience that can't be bettered. And the technology feels so tangible, so right, to caress with your fingers.

And, as much as I love what my current music reproducing tool does, as much as I admire the immense technical achievements it represents, it just doesn't have that same tactile experience. But, the music it makes is every bit as good, if not better. It's just a different listening experience—qualitatively, subjectively.

Playback Designs MPD-8 DAC

Technologically gorgeous, sonically superb. But you just can't reach out and touch it, handle it. And all the music it plays comes from something virtual—digital files. Certainly can't pull those out out of a jacket, turn them over in your hands, fondle them, set them onto a platter. Ah well, life changes.

And, this new digital medium is all for the better, because now I don't have this rig below taking up 15 square feet of my living space:

Ultrasonic cleaning tank. Does not show the separate VPI vacuum drying kit.

Absolutely a game changer for my listening to vinyl.

Absolutely a time sync of hours that I can never have back.

Today I spend a lot of time updating metadata so the my digital music library is readily searchable—it's easy to find music I want to play or to compare. Plus, Ann can find the music she wants to play... sometimes. She hates it when I've added a bunch of music, talked about it, and then she can't find it because I've not updated the library. But, it's still easier to find music in a searchable database than in three rooms of floor to ceiling shelves where our vinyl was stored in some order that only I understood.

Some of the old record collection on its way out of the house in 2019. Sure couldn't find an LP in this stack. Talk about needles in haystacks! I really was more organized on my shelving.

So, is there a point to this article? Come on, there must be. And, yes, I suppose there is.

It comes back to a reflection on seeking the best in whatever media you choose to play, and realizing that, as Lloyd Walker always said to me, the magic is in the details. So pay attention, then enjoy. If you don't have endless financial resources (who does?), then settle into one medium. Don't attempt multiples. Then take that one medium to the top level of what can be achieved with it. Pay attention to the details and fine tune.

Seek the magic. It's there. You just have to reach to achieve it.

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