@Cereal Killer &
@paulfromcamden
OK, so I have a 24-bit file & I have to say that it is better than the vinyl. I tried three different turntables, just in case one of them was off, but there's no doubt, that in this case, the digital is better. My normal experience when playing analogue against digital, be it cd or stream, is that vinyl is better every time, normally better depth, the instruments are more tangible & more expressive, and the notes more expansive, but not in this case. I can only assume that this record has been mastered better for the digital issue. Comparing Lenco 88, Garrard 401 & LP12 against the Auralic, there's was no doubt which was better. The digital was more expressive, the notes more expansive, with greater resolution. This was particularly noticeable, where you had the real instruments like the cello or piano, with the electronic effects in the background. If they are not resolved correctly, those bits of electronica just come across as noise.
So, a disappointing record. It doesn't help that the pressing is very poor & I'm wondering if this is half the problem. Still, it does at least prove that the little Auralic Aries mini + Linear psu is capable of very good sound quality!
Regarding the music, it is apparent that because the vinyl sounds a bit flat, it doesn't come across as being particular impressive, so when I have more time, I'll give it another go; this time through the streamer!
