Altec, you are to be commended! This is one of the first rational/technical discussions of the whole analog/digital divide I have seen. Though there is a similar discussion going on at "Secrets" now too, with very similar results to Altec's in the latest round.

My question is, how do you know where the harmonic distortion components are actually added? It seems they could already have been put down on the vinyl itself in the recording or master-cutting process as easily as being added during the turntable playback. Or perhaps some of both?