Also form Newton: "Where I find digital to fall down is the long term listening fatigue......"
Provided that the digital playback system in its totality ( speakers, amplification, etc.) is of high quality, and the production process commensurate, there should be no such perceived symptoms. The removal of preconception and dialled-in expectations will also help. I experienced no digital fatigue at all emanating from the T+A PDP 300HV and from other manufacturers, in my long quest to finalise my digital playback dilemma ( my extended comments are on the Aqua Formula thread ). Furthermore, since I NEVER play badly produced music ( the car and the portable suffice for this), I have no need to manipulate the original sources, digital or analogue. I do not "equalise" something which I perceive as not being "unequal"
However, if the edginess, aggression and agitation are intended and integral elements inherent in the music itself, they MUST be reproduced, regardless of being digital or analogue and regardless of causing fatigue or not! An apt example is Edgar Varese's "Arcana, Integrales, Ionisation" with Zubin Mehta (Decca), played at appropriate SPLs ( accurately C-weighted peaks of around 105 dB at listening chair) on a linear, distortion-free system. This is all, of course, on vinyl.
By the way DaveC, tour D4 cables have finally found their ideal partner - the T+A PDP 3000 HV, which I am receiving in a few days.
Cheers to all, Kostas.