Just a few years ago (long after I had sold my Thorens TD-125 Mk II
with Magnepan unipivot arm and Stax cartridge), I had the opportunity
to witness a 'listening session', in which some old-timers were
listening to a high-end phono system. Classical music, end-of-side
crescendo. It was (to me) horrid. They loved it. The inner-groove
distortion was enough to melt my dental fillings. They loved it. I
cannot believe they thought it sounded 'more accurate'.

My Thorens TD-125 Mk II with Magnepan unipivot arm and Stax cartridge
blew this so-called high end system system out of the water, by the
way, and I still prefer CDs.


wrote:
wrote:

In fact, both CD and vinyl are approximations of the original sound.


No. they are both approximations of the *signal* that is fed from the
mastering engineer or, in the case of direct to discs, the recording
engineer.



There is no question about which is the closer approximation,


Clearly there is a question given the *fact* that it is not agreed upon
by recording and mastering engineers. Many of the very best recording
and mastering engineers disagree with your position so your position is
hardly an unquestionable one.




though it
is certainly true that some listeners prefer the less accurate medium.


It is also true that some listeners prefer it because it seems to be
more accurate to them.



Scott Wheeler