2. digital
  3. 195454-206052

My SACD Transport feeds so much better signal to my DAC compared with streaming end...

I mostly use Roon to stream my 2000+ album digital collection with Bluesound Node + Ideon 3R Master Time reclocker + Ideon Ayazi MKII DAC. Recently I got a used PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Transport to rediscover my CD collection from years ago that my parents brought back to me from their home, which I have not touched for a very long time. I thought the 3R reclocker would clean up much of the signal from the Bluesound to the extent that streaming will not sound much worse than CD -- Indeed, I have been satisfied with its performance. I was wrong. The CD playback experience totally blew me away. Much darker background, much better soundstage and depth, lots of details, and better dynamics with great authority... I guess you really need a good streamer to catch disc playback! At any rate, I plan to upgrade my front end to one that works with the SACD Transport's I2S output so that I can enjoy my SACDs as well...

joyceulysses

Showing 1 response by kerrybh

kerrybh
376 posts
 

This is another of those questions where the only wrong answer is an absolute statement of what is best-or not. I don't find much difference in my streaming set up and CDs-I think its more dependent on the mastering of the track or album. So, the convenience and variety of streaming works very well for me.

 

On the other hand, I have friends who say their CDs sound significantly better than any streaming set up they have heard. Who is wrong? Nobody-its a subjective thing and the only way you will know is listen for yourself. I can safely make a definitive statement about what I like-but not what you might like. 

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