i agree that digital is getting better.
i also agree that it will never sound completely like analog tape.
how can it? it's a very different technology, even if you can tweak it and infinitely re-arranges 0s and 1s.
do solid state amps sound like tube guitar amps? they can sound similar and get close, but they're different technologies.
i think there is ongoing and justified resentment as to how these digital audio companies market their gear/technology. there is a lot of bad and quasi-dishonest marketing going on. i heard some pretty crappy tape recorders back in the day, and there sure is a lot of pretty bad digital gear.
people should focus less on the technology being rocked and more on pressuring whatever company it is to do what they do better. better op amps, simpler circuits, better clocks, and better tape machines if they are going to make a comeback.
steven walcott
www.engine-studios.com