2. digital
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Is there a difference in sound quality when streaming TIDAL Vs CD player

I hard wired my modem located in my family room using Cad6 cable to my Apple TV and direct wired my Apple TV to my ARCAM AVR550.  I have an OPPO 203 connected by both an RCA cable and by HDMI to my ARCAM.  

The dealer I purchased my ARCAM from told me to play my CD’s through my RCA connection and to watch DVD’s through HDMI.  If I listen to CD’s through the RCA, aren’t I using the DAC on the OPPO player rather than the DAC on my ARCAM and wouldn’t the DAC on my ARCAM be a better DAC.  My friend told me I should use a digital cable rather than an RCA to improve sound quality to utilize the DAC on my ARCAM?  If this is the case, wouldn’t the HDMI be the same as by using a specific digital cable?  I listened to my CD’s through the RCA Vs the RCA cable and I thought it sounded better through my HDMI cable.

i will be looking forward to your responses.

Thank you,
128x128larry5729

Showing 3 responses by fleschler

fleschler
1,922 posts
 
None of the streaming options have many of my extensive CD collection recordings.  No Marston, Romophone, limited issue ethnic recordings, possibly 30% of my CD collection.  Plus, the source of many of my finer jazz and classical CDs can be lesser remasterings with my owning several of each with one clear superior mastering.  So, I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket.  I have about 7,000 CDs and listen to LPs and 78s.  Again, about 40% of my 25,000 LP collection and about 50% of the 7,000 78 collection are not available on streaming or downloads and probably never will be.
fleschler
1,922 posts
 
Well, I’ve taken the road in between. I purchase ICs, A/C and speaker cables that sell for $300 to $900 from the manufacturer GroverHuffman.com (as a beta tester, I auditioned 100s of cables from his and other companies).

I would rather $5,000 on speakers too. However. for about $500, one can purchase excellent high end speaker cables and pay $4,500 for the speakers. Also, one can purchase really high end speakers used for $5,000. For only $2,500 or less, a pair of Legacy Focus or even less for Legacy Signature IIIs, easily driven by low watt, high current receivers and get high quality sound.

I hate the term blind listening test for audio.  Some other nomenclature should be available for an audio test of equipment, cables and tweaks.
fleschler
1,922 posts
 
I've sold at least a dozen mid-fi pieces of equipment in mint condition including McIntosh MX110, Fisher 1000 preamp, Acoustat Xs, 2&2s, Martin Logan Quest and Monolith IIIs.  The reason, I purchased something I liked better.  I did purchase my current Legacy Focus speakers defective in that the prior owner rewired it but left out the mid-range insulation so that the speaker was very bright and forward for brass, upper voice and upper strings.  Yuk.  It took a few years until I found the problem (I used other techniques to alleviate some of the brightness) and stuffed the cavities with ample damping materials.  Now it sounds smoooth in the upper mids.
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