I find it interesting after I have listened to analog music long enough that I begin to "forget" what digital music sounds like, the brain acclimates to the analog spectrum, and I don't at all miss the extended range, to me the sound is full and natural and not lacking anything. The sound is totally satisfying. It's only after I listen to the digital music again and my hearing reacclimatizes to that broader harsher spectrum that I notice the difference. To my ears it is a supernatural sound, but not as pleasing as my analog.
The situation seems to indicate the brain doesn't really need the extended range of digital to fully enjoy the music. More like it adjusts itself to the extended digital range.
What "digital" are we talking about? A CD played in an average to good CD player?
Or Hi Res digital played though a high end media player and converted though a high end DAC?
There is nothing even close to "harsh" in my digital setup......It sounds very "correct, pleasing, natural...."
My "brain" most certainly appreciates the extended dynamic range and frequency response along with the quiet background......I find it hard to go back to playing LP's after listening to my current digital setup...
Even redbook (44.1/16) sounds immeasurably better when you use a decent converter, and media player......
I feel there's a culture that exists that has a preconceived notion about digital based on just listening to CD's or playing rebook in J River, iTunes, and other media players, and using the onboard sound cards on computers and iPods, iPads etc rather than getting the best out a digital setup....
Like I said in my earlier post, I was hardcore analogue until I got myself sorted with a more high end digital solution....
You are only going to get so far with a CD player and using an 1/8th inch Jack to RCA cable out of your computer......
Its just like turntables, you can only get so far with average gear, and I see time and time again, people comparing apples to oranges.....
I can't see myself buying any more vinyl to be honest, sometimes I buy something if its a new release or a special edition, but its more from a collectors position rather than a sound quality perspective...