The sound from my streamer of red book CDs sound exactly the same as streamed versions. Streaming can sound better, Qobuz frequently has higher resolution files available. Also, my analog end… no slouch… also sounds overall the same as well. See my User ID for systems. We are talking about a vast soundstage ten or more feet deep, with natural fully fleshed out instruments suspended in 3D space, microdynamics, brass sounding like brass, voices with full midrange bloom… from Qobuz.
Digital and streaming has been getting better and better over the last couple of decades. First the cost difference (between good analog and good digital) was large to get as good as analog… and the minimum investment was $100K… that dropped… then over the last ten years.. streaming has improved radically…. A lot of people resist the idea that a streamer can matter and stick to PCs. Sorry, your streamer has to be built like any piece of good audio equipment… massive design effort, massive quiet power supply, isolation and weigh over 30 pounds. At this time really carefully chosen streamer (of red book) can equal CD players at most levels of high fi investment. However, like all other aspects, you just can’t buy something, plunk it down and expect to draw any conclusions. You need compatible and synergistic components.
For most aspiring audiophiles today, they should set their sites on streaming as their objective. If they like disks, analog is an relatively easy; a bit less expensive way to get high end sound)… but very restrictive in what you can listen to because of the cost of disks.
A CD player is a physical transport, streamer, and DAC. Buying one that is better than a streamer and a DAC that are not complementary is simple. While buying a good streamer and DAC will set you up for the rest of your life. Buying a great CD player is very nostalgic… hey, I’m 69 years old… that is my excuse… if you are not retired… figure out streaming, Don’t waste your time on antiquated technology.