I've worked in studios where 2" analog is a format option. It is very, very expensive compared to digital formats. However, there is a warmth on the analog side that really isn't explainable using specs. After an eight hour session with analog, I didn't have a headache. After a few hours with digital, my head was pounding. This isn't scientific at all, but just feeling. Feeling that something was missing in the digital that was there on the analog version.

I still have an issue with the idea of converting a record to digital. True, it would be great for archiving purposes, good for noise restoration on the proper system, and certainly more convenient. The problem arrises in the idea of a DAC inside of an inexpensive phono preamp. There's a reason why major and minor studios use mega-buck outboard converters. (Interesting side note: It's really amazing to read about how many digital users like to put their mix through analog at least once during the recording stage.) Just as there is good and bad analog, there is just as good digital compared to bad digital. IMHO, for an average home listener to get the best experience from their vinyl collection, keeping it in the analog domain is their best option.