Pragmatism vs idealism w/ the CAMBRIDGE AUDIO Alva TT2

[@DarkoAudio]

CORRECTION: the cartridge isn't MM but a high-output MC.

[@evidentside]

My inner idealist shouts over my inner pragmatist. However my outer wife almost always sends them both scarpering. Your videos allow me to appease them vicariously!

[@analogueman5364]

Brilliant 👏 😂

[@davidtomsett]

My pretend wife would be more audiophile than me and encourage me to buy what we wanted

[@spuddyl9938]

My inner idealist: "I need this, this and this" My inner wallet: "nope"

[@jorgebravo7980]

Hey John, After watching the video, I just made a survey in a local HiFi enthusiast chat. I asked “Would you use a DSP with your turntable if it inarguably produced a better sound in your room?”. And the responde was overwhelming, almost everyone votes “No” (including me). That really made me think. We audiophiles are like an irrational cult or religion that can’t accept something indisputably better only because of dogmas.

[@hairulnizammohdhussin8263]

The answer should be - "why not?", yeah, why not trying something new, or outside the normal boundary of conservative thinking.

[@i1chy]

Now this my kind of video! Deep, insightful, not afraid of the 10 min long algorithm restriction. Lisbon is doing you good! Keep them going ;)

[@sammys_erLeben]

"if my inner idealist is in the driving seat and he demands" made my day,it describes so beautifully my inner strength relationships in photography and hifi // thanks Sammy

[@bjwal6]

Creating this split audiophile personality is a stroke of genius - it encapsulates the opposite end of our special spectrum, and thus allows everyone to relate and maybe even see things from another perspective

[@derekfaughn4982]

your best review ever...there is no one solution...only the one(s) you like and what sounds best to your in your room(s). Well done John!

[@traceonline]

Fabulous video, maybe the best Hi-Fi analysis of Future-Fi I've ever heard. And it was all done within the confines of reviewing 5-6 amazing products at the same time. Wow, TY TY!

[@alanmorrison-wq9tj]

So, My first comment ever. Been watching a while, and this may be your best video, IMO at least. I wouldn’t worry about the length. I watch on tv almost exclusively and it could be longer from where I’m sitting. Your content is some of the best in quality of filming, and sound for that matter, that I’ve seen. I’ve learnt so much from the content. Thank you

[@christopherviers8302]

I'm an old guy, so 32 minutes doesn't stress out my attention span...!!! Great video - enjoyed it a lot...!!!

[@timfederwitz]

LOVED this video! The dichotomy of these two personas and the vacilation that happens in your (our) brain(s)! 😂 I thought I was alone in my madness!! LOL

[@florestankoenigs8274]

Only from a visual standpoint, independent of the sound quality, I have to admit the Cambridge gear is simply beautiful. And I also have the Cambridge EVO 150 in good memories from the time when I heard it.

[@dylangowland]

I was graciously given one of these turntables for sourcing and repairing the cartridge/arm for a boss of mine about a year ago. We had a few hours of sitting down while I shared some of my headphone, DAP and dac/amp combinations ( years of me saving up summed up to him buying $8k of gear all in one night...). I am in love with this turntable.

[@davidparkes1508]

LOVE this approach to discussing HiFi, as it gives us a clear understanding of two common perspectives and allows viewers to decide for themselves where on this spectrum they align. No good guy / bad guy silliness, just really helpful approaches to provide clarity to an otherwise dizzying array of options. One of my favorite audiophile videos from any reviewer.

[@thomasguerneve3002]

I'm not surprised that a vinyl system can sound that good, even with a record being made from a digital recording. One potential reason I see for the difference in audio quality between vinyl + full analog system Vs digital input + DAC is that the conversion happening when pressing the vinyl is made with very high-end / professional-grade converters that none of us can afford to have at home. From there on, as long as the analog chain at home is of good quality, it could be hard to beat that with the (usually) more modest converters we have at home. Nice video either way, it's great to confront these two worlds and question our thinking through experiments like this one. 👍

[@craigm2]

Found myself nodding along with you, that version of me that got into hifi in the 90s who was all about “straight line” purity in amps and crossovers has become a WiiM and DAC owner (even if a planar 3 is still plugged in to an ADC). And you captured the tension between those two people and how it’s is as confusing as it is enjoyable. But that unpredictability of what combo will needle you with emotion, what ever ingredient makes it work - analogue, digital, bass or purity, my mood, (hell, even weather!) - still fun, isn’t it!

[@Stereotyp01815]

In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful turntables ever. Nothing unnecessary, super processed and easy to use. Absolutely well thought out and minimalistic.

[@bryandove5901]

Thank you for elucidating so clearly the trade offs that you seem to navigate so well. It’s one of the main draws that keep me coming back to this channel. The minimalist system is a very appealing concept in my own inner monologue. At the end of the day ease-of use, visual aesthetics and simplicity really can make the best setup for enjoying music.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Your room sounds- if not bloody fantastic, hugely improved. It blows the untethered room out of the water- night & day, etc!

[@dougg1075]

I like the fact that digital and vinyl sounds great. Period.

[@mladenbasic1]

Love the ambient music that you play during the turntable shots!

[@nat.bootlegger]

Really enjoy these videos. Well made and well thought out. Plus I get to pick up some new music from you too. Things I wouldn't have otherwise. Great work. Keep it going. 💯

[@decaf77]

@darkoaudio thank you for clearly verbalizing what’s been in my head so succinctly. I’m not crazy after all!

[@sadheartofmine]

Just got this table in a few weeks ago to upgrade my ATLP7, and I absolutely love it. It’s so great all around, and goes perfectly with my matching Cambridge gear. I couldn’t be happier.

[@warrenbass66]

Such a great review as always, the Alva TT is a beautiful looking turntable and a perfect match to the Evo 150, visually they both look stunning together.

[@Big-J-8579]

I loved this video. Just like you, I blend both worlds to suite what I need most. Convenience or best sound. Both can exist together in our music enjoyment.

[@tommccarthy3385]

The inner idealist is the one with the ears. 😉

[@virtualmike13]

Loved this video John! You have verbalized the two internal voices that I also have been under the influence ever since I added a CD and streaming audio components to my amplifier and turntable system. I have made peace with the fact that some albums and recoring sound better win the analog domain while some sound better in the digital domain. I enjoy both very much and would not eliminate a listening modality do to a philosophical bias. And sometimes conveniance determines that i'll sit in a comfortable chair at night with beverage of my choice while remotely controlling which CD's or audio streams I'd like. Great job, your insights help all of us understand and appreciate audio more.

[@davidprice-oh2ji]

Excellent video John. Am sure many will identify with the Idealist / Pragmatist internal conflict. Perhaps it comes down to trusting our ears and enjoying the music! Oh and no issue with the length of the video. Thanks.

[@canangagasan]

As always great informative and entertaining video. Keep up the good work!

[@Staybrown11]

I have been using a Parks Audio Puffin (DSP) phono stage for some years now. I mainly use it for bad sounding records that are plagued with pop and clicks. It has Spidf/ coax out (24/96) and it runs through Denafrips Ares 2 or to my NAD M10. The DAC onboard the puffin is very digital sounding. But running it through a separate DAC it’s pure magic. I use an Audio Research PH8 for my good records and higher end carts.

[@michaelwright1602]

I was looking at the Puffin, what a cool device, and then I said screw it and sold my TT. With the gear today, and streaming, it just was no longer something I was interested in. The funny thing, I try to get all of my source material to sound like, wait for it... Vinyl. ;-)

[@abludwig]

That’s a neat system. I have a friend with the puffin and wonder what a great dac would do to improve the sound. I’m very curious about the ares.

[@tobiaswinter1358]

Finally some regular videos :)

[@Z-u-m-a]

Fair play John - a lot wrapped up in that including self-challenging. Fully get the essence of everything you said too. To me it's all about connection to the music in picking components - what sounds and feels more real - even if it might go against any logic or theory (let alone sodding measurements!)

[@MrGiannibuttarazzi]

Amazing review even if was a bit longer … love the way you approach Hifi !! Doesn’t exist good or bad is very personal .. just open your own horizon .. amazing I’m in Lisbon right now I will visit the two shops you recommend …

[@itsPenguinBoy]

My feeling is that the movement of the rock on the plastic disk is a "real" sound which performs anew a facsimile of the sound recorded on the disk. It is this new real sound that reaches the speakers with such richness... It's may be scientifically less accurate to the specific minutiae of the recording, but almost can't help being more accurate to what "sound" sounds like! That's my hypothesis! I liken it to mechanical drum stick playing out a midi track on a snare drum... It will sound more like a drum, than a highly sophisticated digital performance of the midi file recorded to a high quality digital audio file, played through the digital route. I see each vinyl playback as a fresh little mechanical performance.

[@draganantonijevic2441]

For the audiophile there is no debate between the ideal and the pragmatic: he is always in search and on the side of the ideal. In real life it is usually different.

[@predragKrasulja]

I really like attitude that one doesn't have to decide for "the best". John also points out convenience, which is really important. Segments ewith EVO and M10 on top of it are also great. I'm thinking about "one box solution" and these two are my only choices. Thanks for this John

[@claudeostiguy8659]

Thank you John for sharing your thoughts and appreciation with us. I follow you very well, the idealist and the practicalist! In the analogue world, straight line and gain, with old analogue records, direct to disc, etc. The user friendliness of digital makes its a breeze to listen to all sorts of music, in the analogue world, you have to get up and change records from your Personnal library. Kind Regards Claude Ostiguy

[@paulkent6846]

I have a few rooms with hifi systems, but relatively budget systems. For me, it's as much about the tactile experience of playing vinyl as opposed to the purity and sound quality. I love the ritual of picking a record, cleaning it, lining it up, turning it over etc. Maybe if I had a better system, the sound quality and purity aspect would impact me, but I love the tactile aspect anyhow. One room has analogue amp and turntable, the other is digitally converted from the turntable. I love both, happy days.

[@simonburrows1467]

Nice, many thanks, I play vinyl and I stream. I stream when I study and listen. I vinyl when I relax and drink wine.

[@randomfaktor]

Same for me!

[@stevenbarall9227]

Fantastic video. This seems like an entirely new way of making videos for you. Your videos area always easily watchable but this one has a positivity and joy about it, like you are discovering the wonder of hifi for the first time. Congrats.

[@filofilo8127]

In the 80's I sold off my vinyl collection for cd.s. Started selling my cd's a few years ago with a plan to go digital steaming only. In the end I went back to vinyl and cd's and spent up on equipment to get the best from the physical source. For me I like to see what I have collected. I do have a wiim mini which is all I need. Best of both worlds but cd and vinyl is my go to.

[@twntwrs]

Nothing quite like CD's loudness war compression and vinyl's scratch, crackle, hiss, pop, wow and flutter not to mention inner groove distortion!

[@invsibl_monstrs]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for taking us on a trip with the voices in your head and talking about your gear.

[@TheOrthodoxMachine]

Love your timed Ad breaks, fantastic, i really wish others would do this too, keep up the excellent work

[@AlarusOne]

Wow, what an incredible thinkpiece. I truly enjoyed the way this is going. Nice to hear such intelligent ruminations like this. Great job!

[@MrWkendwarrior]

Ok….probably the most intriguing and refreshingly new…audio components video I have seen in a long time! U r spot on….I think all of us idealists struggle w our pragmatic selves in regards to ADC, DAC, BLUETOOTH, WiFi , passive vs active speakers, room treatment vs room correction, built in phono stages vs external phono stages, etc….Both amps reviewed are impressive, compact, visual, intuitive, etc…. No wonder that TT sounded so good with a built in phono stage, it had an MC cart is superbly paired with! Imh(idealist)o…lol…u don’t muck with a TT…U don’t build in a phono stage, or Bluetooth….u don’t do any ADC at the amp….u give the TT its own system: outboard phono stage to pair w the cart, maybe a pream/amp combo or integrated amp to wired speakers….u can use SS or tube amps, wired speakers….done. Pragmatist in me…would…consider either of those amps, love the wireless speakers that dig deep and lifelike sound….for a streamer, CD, DVD, BLU-Ray, DAP, etc….yes that would be incredible esp the amp w room correction, which by itself….room correction if done right has the highest value of all w DSP in this system.

[@AntoineViau-00]

Oh! That ‘inner’ thing… I can relate! …And that Zu, Alva, Evo trio just looks just perfect! Very nice video. You’re so good at describing things! Just a treat like always! Good work!

[@Spud_E_Buddy]

Love what you did in this video of sharing your internal dialogue 🙏 I’m in a similar boat when it comes to 2-channel versus multi-channel.

[@johnpischedda6951]

I’m a big advocate of 2 systems depending on the type of music and mood it’s great to alternate. If you have the room and the budget it’s adds a whole new dimension to your listening experience!

[@markalfson6513]

I very much enjoy the dichotomy of the pragmatist and idealist. I think it very readily could be applied to my personal thinking on audio equipment, etc.

[@johnthompson7809]

I’m not interested in this TT but I watched from start to finish because you’re so damn entertaining and informative. Thank you, John.

[@bitterandjaded_]

I’m going to end up getting a turntable someday, aren’t I? I was perfectly happy with solid state and speakers and CDs for decades. Then I started streaming. Then I started buying DACs. Then I started buying tube gear. Then I started rolling tubes. Then I started buying headphones and headphone amplifiers. This is starting to really cut into my whisky budget.

[@robintaylor1296]

Snap, exactly the same direction you are taking. Except I've already bought the turntable. 🤣🤣

[@LordWaterBottle]

Who needs a whiskey budget?

[@TorToroPorco]

Sometimes convenience is more important than ultimate audiophile fidelity. This is especially true for the times when I’m sampling new music or throwing together a quick playlist of songs. Other times there will be really great songs or well engineered recordings that you want wring every last bit of detail and nuance out of so you can really get lost in the music. It’s nice to be able to have the best of both worlds.

[@icebergzero]

I have a similar kind of dichotomy that happens for me I really love listening to an all analogue chain that starts with a turntable but I really only listen to jazz that way. For me the whole aesthetic experience of listening to jazz is elevated by that type of technology; I run it from a modified Planar P2 to an iFi phono stage and out through a Yamaha A-S801 powering home built open baffle speakers. I also listen to a lot of other music and that is all streamed digitally and I love that too. Roon drives a Zen Mini Mk 3 into a RME-ADI 2 DAC and out through the same amp and speakers. For me these two ways to listen to music make a lovely combination of analogue and digital methodologies that really makes me happy.

[@jonliapis538]

Great video. Well presented. My compliments to the chef

[@RUfromthe40s]

taste in music :100%

[@jamesoloughlin]

Haha rewatching this because of love the way you put it; “…diverted to a big black disk…read by having a rock dragged across its surface” beautifully simply put 😂

[@nobass_stub1394]

Yeah that was OG analog analogy at its best :P

[@hallaiged]

Hi John, hope you are all well. Great presentation as always, but I love how you have embraced another trail on the journey. My journey has been more than 55 years long, and I have loved every minute. If you have a smaller room somewhere, as a special treat for yourself, I would try any vinyl deck with an Exposure amplifier and some Neat speakers. Classic simple Brit hi fi heaven; I have never been happier. Thanks again, looking forward to more further on down the road :0) All the very best from the UK.

[@LOUDERthanU]

The new set up is looking sharp. That rug really ties the room together

[@jacquesvilleneuve754]

Very informative for a more traditionalist type of listener like me. I am also two-faced when having to choose between the convenience of digital vs the simplicity and tradition of sound reproduction. Wish I had the luxury to have both as you do. Your explanations are well presented, in a relaxed-quality english-nonbullshit manner. I enjoy viewing and listening to your channel and your music choices make me go on different paths!

[@Skip_Esquire]

I have always had a strong idealistic desire to own a traditional system (Big JBL monitors, Mcintosh seperates, Garrard 401 or Technics SP10) but I have to be pragmatic about my financial/spacial inability to achieve it. I'm really a music first Audiophile and as you mentioned the journey for me is a huge part of the fun. On the rare occasions I do make a change to my system I really enjoy the difference, I rarely even bother trying to analyze 'better or worse' and just embrace the extra motivation to listen more often and more engaged. There's just too many individual factors involved, in my opinion, to warrant most of the polarized opinions within the audiophile community. This video sums it up quite well that it's all just compromise, even with yourself.

[@erikiskandermeon9999]

Love your Zus in the background!

[@garrick262]

I love the rambling through the audio world. Keep up the longer form vids

[@outrider1968]

Excellent video! You have been quite successful in describing a very particular personal experience, with very specific conditions, but without any superficiality and evidencing the limitations that your impression may have in relation to other people and environments. Your conclusion was perfect, between the two sets there is no better alternative, but rather two different alternatives. Greetings from Rio de Janeiro!

[@alaincayer8999]

My Inner-Pragmatist tells me : "Hey, cool down...we only have one budget Mr Inner-Idealist."

[@pedrolamas1491]

😂😂😂

[@alm5693]

You sure that's not your internal-denialist that doesn't want you to have any fun?

[@MichaelLopresto]

I don't listen to vinyl, but I loved this video. Very informative and entertaining.

[@sayhellotovin]

Nice take on the inner balance we must all face if we're going to just relax and enjoy music on decent gear without getting carried away in the details. I felt that pang when I let the inner-pendant lose the argument and I added to my "purist" Rega analogue front end (P6/Ania Pro/Aria/Aethos) a Pro-ject NRS box (digital noise reduction and pop-correction for vinyl), it's glorious... in moderation. :)

[@pedrolamas1491]

Amazing video, John. And even here in Brasil, with all the usual taxes, this turntable is not that expensive. Really interesting!

[@tomgarrett2846]

I love your inner debate and descriptions! You may have also, unintentionally, added new descriptors for this crazy hobby.

[@DrGIzmoBRad]

Hi John, Stereo L & R audio reside separately on opposing walls of a 'V' shaped groove. The 'V' groove cut into the vinyl surface is at a 90° angle so vibrations from one orthogal wall doesn't couple into the other. This method produces independant Left and Right channels by amplitude modulating each wall with specific Left an Right channel information.

[@kana4114]

My first time watching your channel. As someone coming back to vinyl, and enjoying more of an analog approach, it really opened my eyes and educated me on digital theory. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@alisonleighton9739]

I’m with you on this. I have the KEF LS50 Wireless II in my lounge hooked up to my tv. I also stream music through my iphone using bluetooth or, for better sound, wired directly to AUX. In my library upstairs I have an integrated amp, a Pro-Ject turntable, an external phono stage and B&W 805’s. Great for all analogue vinyl. But if I wish, I can also listen to CD’s or stream through my iphone using a Dragonfly carbon. Best of all worlds depending upon my mood. I can say, however, that vinyl is the best sound. Why, because that is what I choose to believe. You have the right to disagree and you are also correct.

[@alex_g_wood]

John, I too have these "Inner voices" that you recognise, as do I and this journey you took us on is a great level of honesty, that may feel like a relief for you, that you can finally share openly those opinions. Two systems makes complete sense to me, despite my current system utilising a a room correction pre amp (Buchardt), coupled with a power (Cayin valve) through speaker (Buchardt S400 SE mk1) from my turntable source (Goldnote Meditteraneo) sounding perfect to me, I hanker after the Buchardt A700/Platin from my Roon Nucleus for streaming simplicity. Great video, that helped tell myself, hey im not crazy, just seeking inner sanctity through idealism and its rational.

[@midmodaudio6576]

Great video, lots to think about. I agree, "less" is not always more. I have been recording records to open reel tape for years and I often find that I prefer the sound of the taped version over the original record as played on a turntable.

[@franknelissen8041]

This was an excellent video Mister Darko! Most informative and enlightening. Good to see also that I’m not the only one thinking about the “two opposites” in hifi land, true analog vs streaming, and the benefits both can present and how to incorporate them. Really great!! Thank you.

[@shunpillay]

A landmark video! Nice work. Remaining cognisant of the duality between our inner idealist and pragmatist, really helps drive the Hi-Fi discussion forward. This is now my favourite Hi-Fi video. Bravo.

[@bpalpha]

Really love a lot of the music that you enjoy as well. You drove me to pull out some of my old techno recently, totally enjoyed some classic 808 State. Cambridge Audio turntable looks fab.

[@kodeboswachter7668]

Hi John, thanks for the nice video, I am now for one year the owner of this turntable. Due to the situation in my Livingroom it is not possible to have the turntable near my amplifier/dac. I made a HD Bluetooth connection with a Advance WTX-1000 reciever and a digital cable to the dac in my Hegel H360. I must say the sound is really analog. Greetings from Holland.

[@fernandomgomes181]

Now, that you’ve moved to Portugal, your inner idealist should visit a store in Lisbon called Áudio Team. I love to go there. Welcome to Portugal, by the way.

[@jasonporthouse5042]

Love the essence of this. Totally agree - my purist/idealist vs pragmatic realist. The latter would sell off my album collection and stream the lot - the former would fight to the death to keep them, and have a flea powered SET amp with corner horns to listen to them on. I currently occupy a space somewhere in the middle with an SL1500C and a Yamaha streaming amp... dunno if it's a happy medium or unhappy truce ;-)

[@cherokee59]

10:21 in and my head is spinning! … and the room looks great.

[@EARLandPEARL-c3i]

digital is great for programming tracks and listening like an ad free radio with the shuffle button on...records is a full coarse meal.....you sit down and enjoy every sound entree served

[@zizendorf]

Nice analogy! Yup, I don't need to "measure". There's something about the "all-in" time committed to at least one full side of an LP. Personally, I think doing so takes us away - gives us an escape from the more global/general digital-information age that results in increased stress (at minimum). "...give me the beat boys and free my soul, I want to get lost in your rock and roll, and drift away"!

[@hemantishwaran5741]

I’ve been listening to vinyl through my Genelec powered speakers for quite some time and I am thoroughly happy. If you are interested in vinyl played through ADC then I highly recommend looking at the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R which is a phenomenal DAC and also ADC device. Plus you can do even better than XLR by using AES. I have a ton of Jazz from Acoustic Sounds and Music Masters and let me say it sounds amazing.

[@whamni]

I have my S.M.E arm of 45 years plus cueing exactly like that ! Thanks for a great video

[@nl_2652]

Is it just me or are the colors on this video absolutely spot on and gorgeous?? Very well shot John.

[@jonsimons7934]

Always enjoy your videos, John but really loved this one with your pragmatist vs idealist approach - I think we all feel a bit like that

[@jongottesman1263]

Really rethinking my system and future components thanks to this video. Much appreciated John!

[@richardherbert3519]

Terrific video. Well done

[@pauljwhelan]

What a great video, really enjoyed it. And full of that strange nuance thing that seems to be so rare these days 😉

[@andrewcrossley2448]

Very interesting. For me my new AT540ML though the excellent phono stage of my pure analogue Marantz 8006 does the job as most of my vinyl is from the 60 to very early 80s. As soon as vinyl became ADD or DDD I moved to CDs and on to DACs for ease of use. I’m glad to say that now Apple has rebuilt its catalogue with many HiRes lossless and digital master versions, a simple but good quality iFi Zen Signature DAC v2 is superb. My philosophy is keep it as simple as possible and keep the components separate for future proofing. When I took a 1962 pressing of Liszt piano concerto into a dealer recently and stuck on an LP12 and my Marantz both the dealer and I were amazed at the sound depth and quality. On the old v new pressings. I compared my early 70s pressing of DSoTM to a new ‘audiophile’ pressing costing a lot, the original disc was so much better. So buyers beware…..CDs can be better than repressed vinyl.

[@MitchSage]

The majority of vinyl records sourced from a modern digital recordings still utilise a separate master with higher dynamic range for cutting the lacquer, while the CD/Stream and quite often even Hi-Res downloads are sourced from a heavily compressed version of the master. The latter makes absolutely no sense of course, given the niche target audience, but then I guess that companies are gonna company.. Also, vinyl adds a very natural crosstalk, a slightly higher but very smooth/uniform noise floor (on a good pressing) and euphonic/enharmonic distortion which are all more natural. We obsess over perfectly discrete channels and low noise floors but in the real world these are not representative of how we experience things, we're not getting two perfectly discretely sums of frequencies delivered to each ear with pitch black backgrounds. Digital is technically and objectively superior; and great in many parts of the chain, but in terms of presentation, a good vinyl pressing is like the perfect organic three stage filter: Crossfeed to make the soundstage more natural, uniform noise floor gain to anchor everything together and a touch of the right type of distortion to sweeten everything. Now layer all that on top of a master with more dynamic range, prepared by a likely more skilled engineer for a likely more discerning audience and that's why it often wins.

[@TheMirolab]

The imaging and soundstage of my inner idealist voice is better than that of my inner pragmatist.

[@MikeLindup42]

Watchable as always, John. Love and recognise the inner dialogue. I have a very analogue Linn LP12 that has a felt, a fiddly speed change method and requires good arm control to lower the cartridge, BUT it sounds great, or rather the vinyl that it plays does. I nearly succumbed to an ADC solution straight into the DAC, but couldn't bring myself (which myself?) to go there, so now Vinyl goes analogue route, and FLACS, Streaming and CDs go digital, and I enjoy the differences. I got Zu Omen DW 2's a year and a half ago, replacing Shahinian Obelisks, (what a difference), and added a sub last autumn (a big enhancement), so will be interested to watch your review/report after you add subs to your system.

[@joelcarson4602]

All the analog magic happens at the microphone and the mixing desk. Current studio ADCs/DACs are the equivalent of copper wiring as far as audio purity is concerned. Then it continues in the analog output stage of the DAC into the preamp stage and out of the final amplifier stages into the electromotive mechanical diaphrams of the speakers.

[@PaulMGleeson]

Great video, I enjoyed it. One advantage of arguing with your inner selves, at least it is an intelligent conversation!

[@9thstreetbrandt]

I feel the struggle, I’m constantly going back-and-forth from my analog bypass to my enhance stereo with dirac correction. I get special sparkle and tonality with analog bypass, but a fuller more concrete image with enhance stereo dirac. Running NAD T778 pre out to mkintosh mc2105. JMR and monitor speakers. I keep switching back and forth. 😂

[@mndoci]

This is every day. Half my setup is all wireless and super pragmatic. The other is the opposite (Magnepan's, dedicated headphone amp, Focal headphones, etc etc). One day I'll figure it out :).

[@paulv22]

Disclosure: I only have vintage hifi equipment and I've been watching your channel because I want to add a streaming setup to the vintage system. It is nice to see Cambridge has joined Technics in going with direct drive. However, there's no performance downside to having simple semi auto operation. I have two vintage turntables (Kenwood KP-9010 and Pioneer PL-50L II) both of which have end of record lift and shut off which uses an optical sensor and a solenoid for cuing. There's nothing encumbering the arm. It's like these vintage decks have technology that's been lost to time. Anyway, as I said, I'm looking to add a streaming setup to my vintage system. I'll use it like you said, walking around the house and checking out new music. However, if I want to listen to a record, I want to sit down in that room and listen to it all the way through. I also don't want any digitization in between. To each their own, of course.

[@fairmania]

Cracking feature, really enjoyable look at how you have viewed your listening to two different system, and especially why. The majority of my listening is done on front of my computer, through a pair of Creative speakers on small stands, a nice clear and weighty sound. I might also listen through a Pro-Ject/Marantz/Kef main system, slightly lighter yet fleeter of foot with the music. Different yet both enjoyable, as you have so wonderfully pointed out here. Yes there are absolutes that we might wish to adhere to, but if the choices are available to us, then why not exercise them when we can. Earbuds when I'm walking, the cheapo speakers in the bathroom, good for what they are, but accepted for their limitations. Again, a great review, many thanks!