Analog
A turntable turns a physical groove into a small electrical signal. The appeal is tactile and intentional.
Signal preparationA compatible phono stage, built in or separate
SOURCES & DIGITAL AUDIO
Where the music begins
A source retrieves the music. It may be a turntable tracing a record, a streamer receiving music from a service, a CD player or stored files.
TurntableAnalog source
Phono stagePrepares the signal
Music signalOn to your amplifier
Digital sourceStreamer, CD or files
DACDigital-to-analog converter
Music signalOn to your amplifier
On this page
CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT
Analog, digital or both?
Digital
A streamer, CD player or music server retrieves digital information. A DAC converts it into an analog signal.
Signal conversionA DAC, often already built in
Both
Many systems combine a turntable with streaming or CDs. The amplifier simply needs the right inputs.
Best forListeners who value ritual and convenience
FOLLOW THE DIGITAL SIGNAL
What the DAC does
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) turns digital music data into the electrical signal an amplifier can use. A CD player includes this conversion; a CD transport sends digital data to a DAC elsewhere in the system.
MusicStream, disc or file→Digital sourceRetrieves the data→DACConverts it to analog→AmplifierDrives the speakers
Built in or separate?
Many streamers and amplifiers already contain a capable DAC. A separate one is useful when you need different connections or a meaningful upgrade.
Streaming or stored files?
Streaming offers discovery and convenience. Purchased downloads and files copied from your CDs give you a local library. Offline downloads inside a subscription app are different: access still depends on that service. Neither approach is automatically more musical.
What matters most
Recording quality, implementation and usability matter more than format labels alone.
CHOOSING WITH INTENTION
Questions worth answering first
- 01
Which ways of playing music do you use most often?
- 02
Would you enjoy the hands-on ritual of records, the ease of digital music, or both?
- 03
What inputs does your amplifier already have?
- 04
Are there CDs or music files you want to keep using?