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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
audiofilo123
82 posts
 

In my experience, streamers can be good but don’t engage me as the CD.
Not only for the sound, but for the physical aspect (reading the booklet, collecting and organizing them…), for the simplicity within the system (just plug it to the power, use a pair of interconnects, and that’s it) and last, for the thrill of the hunt (in music stores, discogs, amazon…).

The one streamer that I found pleasing to listen to (for an hour or so) was very complex and expensive system with several boxes. Side by side, a good CD player (much more affordable) was equal in sound quality - it was the Marantz SA-KI Ruby.

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,242 posts
 

@wolf_garcia, please explain the Linda Rondstadt comment.  While she no longer controls or profits from her musical catalog, she has a reported net worth of over $100 million.

viber6
2,452 posts
 

mahler123,

Your last post is the most relevant on this thread for me.  You may remember me as a violinist, classical music lover.  Take your experience with Richter and Bach Well Tempered Clavier.  Go further, try to find a particular recording of Richter of an obscure piano concerto with various conductors and orchestras, on various labels.  Suppose you want to compare his phrasing at a particular point such as 9 min 48 seconds on one vs 9 min 30 seconds on another.  Nothing but your physical media will let you do this.  Youtube is good for doing this, although many recordings aren't available on YT, and of course sound quality is poor.  But for old master violinists like Kreisler of 100 years ago, although sound quality is poor, for musical satisfaction Kreisler is better than any violinist of today.

I have only CD and LP in my collection.  I have never gotten into streaming, and many here may say that I am incorrect.  Outside of music listening, I don't like internet instructions.  It is all geared to people who think that human customer service is obsolete.  I do business mainly with companies where there is live customer service, and not in chat boxes whose AI is primitive.

So, thanks for your post, which will keep me away from getting involved in streaming.

wolf_garcia
6,714 posts
 

I thought old Linda had run out of money...I could be mistaken. Oops. I should have asked her myself but I lost her number.

bluorion
479 posts
 

I still have 100% of my vinyl and about 95% of my CD collection. I sold off a few CDs years ago knowing I would never listen to them again (mostly CD singles). I stream about 95% of the time as well.

I still have a ton of DJ only/promo CDs that I will not part with and still listen to them on my vintage system. These promo CDs will not end up on any streaming services---they're too rare. They're still fun to listen to and they have a lot of good memories to me. And even if they did end up on Spotify, I'd still keep them. Glad you're enjoying your streamer.

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