2. digital
  3. 173977-9627

A different world

For decades I have struggled to get digital even close to comparable to analog. Then finally a couple years ago after lots of upgrading and experimentation I succeeded. Streaming is equally satisfying with analog, very, very comparable. The full soundstage, instruments suspended in space, tonal balance, dead silent background, and details of brass cymbals … etc. Red Book CDs through my CD player are bested by my streamer with Qobuz or Tidal with hi-Rez versions.

 

A new world. It takes a while to get it. No longer confined to music you “own” to play over and over. Replay is supplanted by exploration. You love an new (or old album) and hit, “add to library”. It is yours.

So, HiFi+ magazine has an article on building a European 21st Century Jazz Library. I just start with the first album in the list and listen (add to library), the 2nd album (add to library), the third… the forth, fifth… a whole new category of incredible music to sit along side Miles Davis and Hank Moberly. Just a couple days in the life of a audiophile streamer. I could have never predicted this as a possibility ten years ago.

 

You love music? The goal of having an infinite audiophile library is now possible. It is possible at any high end level… just requires knowledge that it can be done… and I guess give up the idea that there is something special about your CD collection, or players.

 

I have a 2,000 vinyl albums, play them, usually one a day. They are fun, occasionally sound ever slightly better… but not significantly, I like them for nostalgic reasons.

ghdprentice

Showing 5 responses by pokey77

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

I don't want to speak for @ghdprentice, but when you add a song or album in Tidal, there is no cost. But you must maintain the membership cost to keep the list. I'm a total cost of ownership kinda guy, but I got over that very quickly and would skimp somewhere else in order to keep up my Tidal subscription. I'm enjoying music so much more now, it is a life changer for me. I would not wait another minute to get started with the fun. BTW, I'm 58 YO and came from a CD player. Never use it anymore, streaming is just too good, both based on SQ and the shear amount of music available. Jump in, the water is extra specially nice!

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

Not to steal lalitk's thunder, but just go look at his system by clicking on his user name. I've looked at his system many times; it must be pretty amazing sound with his attention to detail in how he puts systems together.

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

Weird on your EtherREGEN experience. I found that it works quite well; then added a Paul Hynes LPS - nearly as good as the ER; then have been through four different Network cables and found more there as well. Also moved to fiber in the last 18 mos, which was another nice bump up in SQ.

 

BTW, thanks for starting the thread. Really enjoying it.

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

"I think my concern is that someone not familiar with the technology would come away thinking getting good streaming requires an advanced degree in networking". I'd totally agree with you, that is certainly not the truth. People just need to know they can refine their systems by working on the network side all the way to their DAC or server. I've been very pleasantly surprised at just how much better it got adding the ER/LPS and better Network cables. Just read some forums and jumped in. Others can do it just as easily. 

 

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

Great thread.

I started streaming in my main rig a little over three years ago (almost all components and speakers new at that time). I've found that in a good system, everything makes a difference; streamer, DAC, network cables, power cables, network switch, linear power supplies, etc. I make small changes as I feel and have gotten to a point that it is so, so good! Can it get better, I think it can, but right now I love listening and never wonder what it'd be like with a vinyl rig, I can listen at my local dealer anytime. Next change is power conditioning, just picked up today.

BTW, streaming just opens one up to such a wonderful universe of music. Been selling or giving away CDs and need to get rid of them all, or most. Maybe someday I'll get to ripping the CDs that are out of print that I want to listen to in the future.

Yes, this is a different world. And one I so love sitting down in front of.

More to discover