Hi-res streaming on Qobuz

interesting experiment.  I streamed Idagio through my IPhone instead of IPad.
Results were awful.  Horrible sound.

Yes, the quest is over.

Well, I got the Node 2i and put it through its paces. I compared hi-res streaming on Qobuz to normal streaming of identical selections on Idagio.  The differences in quality were tiny if any at all.  Certainly not a game changer.
But the biggest difference was in the comparison to the Arcam.
While the sound of the Node is certainly good, it does not have the transparency or dynamic range of the Arcam.  It’s definitely a step down in fidelity.
It could be the Node needs to break in more.   (I don’t know how much break in a streamer needs.). I did leave it on for hours.
My impressions jibe with the review in What Hifi.
Based on these preliminary tests, there certainly is no reason to hold on to the Node.

melvinjames,

I use the IOS platform on an Ipad.
I read the article with interest, even if I didn’t understand everything. 
It may indeed explain the problem I’m having.
It doesn’t seem to affect the sound on normal resolution, though, which is exemplary.

I can’t get a definitive answer, but I don’t think the Gumby supports hi-res streaming, even though the manual says it goes as high as 192mHz.
However it sounds so damn good I guess it doesn’t matter.

I guess the streamer and DAT are incompatible.

Maybe that’s why Arcam discontinued selling the RPlay.

yes, I got it.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Actually, I’m quite happy with the quality of the RPlay sound. The reason I got it was that a.review in What-Hifi compared the sound favorably to the very popular here Blue-sound Node 2.  Arcam regularly transmits upgrades to the streamer. I would just like to hear a difference between hi-res and CD quality files.

Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier, Modified Conrad-Johnson PV11 preamp.
I do hear high resolution from my Oppo 105 Blu-ray player..

Always.

Interestingly, the Oppo player doesn’t go through the DAC.  So the problem may in the Gumby.

riley,
The quest for the new speakers had nothing to do with the streaming issue.
Just wanted to try something different.


mlsstl,
I know exactly what your talking about. Some recordings do sound much better than others.  And I’ve got a few more years on you. 
But, when I play hi-res discs on my Oppo player I can generally hear a difference.

Yes, I tracked down in the Arcam documentation on how to access hi-res files.
When i tuned in the hi-res setting it said unsupported format, indicating the problem is in the Gumby.  I’ll investigate that now.

Hi Bob,

I’ve  thought about getting the the Node.  I witnessed the hi-res capability at your house.  The problem is, the sound from the Arcam at normal resolution is truly great. They regularly send software upgrades as well. I mentioned previously that, in a review, the Arcam compared favorably to the Bluesound.  That’s why I chose it.  Even if I don’t have hi-res, the majority of my listening is not hi-res on Idagio, and since it’s so good I don’t want to give up on it.
Cant wait for my demo speaker cables to arrive!

mel melm,

The problem is, the DAC doesn’t tell me anything!  No read outs.

melvinjames,

I’ve  checked the app several times.
The exact wording when I try to access hi-res is “unsupported device.”

Interesting!

I hear no such sound, which probably proves nothing is happening.

I guess I’ll give the Node 2i a shot.  I can always return it after I’ve compared it to the Arcam.  If it’s equal or better in SQ i’ll keep it because of the hi-res capability.
If not, ill send it back.

thanks for the tip, but I already ordered the new one.  it’s currently $100 off normal price anyway.  Arriving tomorrow.

Streaming is sounding so good, I’m beginning to listen less and less to my very large collection of CDs and records.
Its very seductive.

I’m using the rPlay through the Gungnir Multibit DAC.
I’m returning the Node.