Letters to the Editor
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Analog versus Digital Sound
I have owned moderately high end stereo equipment for decades, and yes analog sound is superior, some of the time. The best analog sound can't be matched by digital; however, many, many records don't sound good at all. Quality control with records has always been an issue.
Quality control issues also exist with CDs, especially early CDs. They typically sound harsh and the opposite of musical. These days, CDs are sounding much better, and the quality doesn't vary from CD to CD like it did with records.
Also, high end CD players have improved dramatically. And if you want to invest in a SACD or Audio DVD player, you're coming close to closing the gap with all but the very best of analog.
The sad fact, however, is that the exquisitely lovely sound available from the very best of the reproductive science is lost, and likely will never be heard again. This deterioration didn't start with with introduction of the CD. It started with the introduction of transitorized tape recorders in the late 60's. Listen to Miles Davis' Kinda Blue (recorded in the early 60s) for an example of what stereo sound can be. This sound is gone forever.