I Sold my CD Player!!! Streaming sounds so incredible!!!


Several years ago, was the very first time I had the opportunity to hear a very high end, high quality, streaming audio system.  Once I heard it, I was smitten, and I knew right then and there that this was me all the way!!!  I was absolutely blown away by the handy convenience of the little iPad (or cell phone) used as remotes to control the otherworldly access to a virtual ocean of music via Tidal, Qobuz or downloads.  I immediately recognized this new technology as the future of my own audio system, especially with all the new hi rez stuff out there that was now made available. I gave up vinyl when CD came on the scene (yes, I'm an old guy), and, now, perhaps, it would be finally time to retire my beloved CD player.  Long story short:  What put my streaming audio system over the top, as far as sound quality is concerned, was the assemblage of these core streaming devices-----( #1) A superb DAC, by Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty streaming DAC  (#2)  An outstanding music server, by Roon Nucleus Plus  (#3) An outstanding Audio Switch, by Pakedge Devices   (#4) Excellent Ethernet Cables, by Shunyata Sigma.  I also utilize numerous other tweaks and filters that further purify the streaming audio signal within my room and audio system.  At this juncture in life, I am just mesmerized by the combination of sound quality and convenience that I get through my streaming audio system.  I'm also happy and pleased to report that, I don't miss my old beloved CD player one bit.  Happy listening.              

kennymacc

Showing 6 responses by kennymacc

@baylinor On the contraire. I invested just as much or more in my CD and vinyl rigs as I did with my streaming rig. However, I’m extremely pleased with the way my rig streams music. I was most pleased to get rid of my vinyl rig over 20 years ago.  And now, I’m most pleased to have replaced my CD’s with streaming. Happy listening.

@mahler123 After over 40 years in high end audio, it really doesn’t matter to me anymore which audio format sounds best, because they all sound great to me. I was only expressing my sheer delight in my own dedicated streaming audio system, which prompted me to sell off my old CD player. I always say-----high end audio are "Big Boy Toys" and you get to pick your favorite toys to play with, whether it be CD, streaming, vinyl, reel to reel, etc. Whatever pleasures "YOU"  is all that matters. Happy listening.

Hello all.  Thanks for all your insightful responses to my post.  I just want to emphasize the fact that, I didn't sell my CD player because I didn't think it sounded excellent, I sold it because I found something else I liked better.  Happy listening.

  

@classicrockfan High end audio is all about musical listening pleasure, so there’s no such thing as a "bad investment." This is fun stuff and should not to be taken so seriously. If whatever audio item you purchase, cables, amps, speakers, etc., regardless of cost, brings you that much closer to audio nirvana, then the purchase was worth every penny, and more. Happy listening

@jimmyblues1959 "Vinyl and CD are more popular than ever????" Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, just the opposite of what you stated is true. Yes, vinyl and CD may still be popular with old farts like us, for all the reasons you so explicitly stated. However, amongst the young, say, ages 18-40, vinyl and CD are virtually nonexistent. In today’s world, the vast majority of those who represent the future of high end audio, or, music listening in general, stream their music exclusively. Yes, I’m afraid that todays world of high end audio has become more like an exclusive club for more well-heeled senior citizens like us who grew up with and are still clinging onto the old technologies that we still hold so dear to our hearts. And that, in a nutshell is what today’s high end audio represents. High end audio seems to be becoming a dying breeds, perhaps because of it’s inability to embrace and promote the new digital technologies, instead of allowing itself to become dominated by the old and antiquated. Go take a visit to your local high end audio shop, or go out and attend one of the big audio shows, you’d think you were at an old folks convention for the middle age and beyond, Lol. Sad, considering how beautiful and vibrant the world of high end audio was in years past. If there is to be a long term future for high end audio, it must embrace the new digital world, or else it will eventually fade away along with all us old farts. Happy listening.