SACD v Streaming

a nice cd player will outperform a streamer easily until you start getting into the $20K and up streamers and even then they can still be better

You can do both streaming and use a disc player as well.  A couple years ago, I had one of the top Esoteric SACD players and of course, it was awesome sounding.  Prior to that, I had one of the modded out Denon universal players and it was absolutely awesome as well playing SACD and DVD Audio discs, etc.  Over the years, I’ve owned several pretty incredible disc players and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them.  However, once I discovered just how incredible streaming at a high level was capable of sounding, I eventually sold the disc players and put together a much more simplified, high quality, streaming only audio system.  Now, I stream my music exclusively via Qobuz and enjoy it immensely as well.  I just love the new amazing sounding technologies in high-end audio!!!  Happy listening         

mattsca

Nice place to start with SACD! As above, a nice CD/SACD player will out-perform a streamer. I concur, $20K and up, server/streamer(s) improve.

Happy Listening!

The equation for equal or better sound quality from streaming has been changing rapidly over the last few years. If you carefully choose components then Streamer ~ = DAC… which should = preamp or amp. I’m not sure of your system… but I would guess a $5K DAC and a $5K streamer. They a used Aurrender N20 or N200 streamer. I’m not that familiar with DAC’s in that price range… it must be of the flavor you like. Esoteric is pretty analytical sounding if I remember correctly. Can it be a DAC only? If so, then only a good streamer is required.

SACD can sound amazing.  I have never had a streaming experience that can begin to rival the best of SACD.  Not all SACDs are that quality, however.  It depends on many factors and as always the quality of the original recording is the biggest determinant 

The mastering of the material and the DAC that's performing the conversion to analog matter more than what the source media is. 

If I play a SACD on my Oppo player, it's not going to sound anywhere near as good as even a 44/16 file of the same song will through my streamer and DAC.  The DAC in the Oppo can't come close to my DAC.

However, if I send the 96kHz data from the SACD, using the Oppo as a transport to my DAC, it will sound wonderful, provided it's well mastered.  In general, SACDs are well mastered and intended for the "audiophile" crowd.

Ok big_greg explain how you send 96kHz from your Oppo (used as a transport) to your DAC? What is your DAC? Are you using HDMI cable?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114574939841

I have a Rockna Wavedream Signature DAC.  HDMI out of the Oppo to the i2s input on the Rockna.

Just thinking this through, my disc-based front end is maybe ~$9,500 ($5,500 MCT 500 and call it no more than $4,000 for the DA2 portion of the C53).  But a few of you suggest that matching this SQ might take $20K for a streamer/DAC combination?  I suppose from a consumer value standpoint, the convenience and flexibility of streaming versus discs accounts for the additional expense.  200 SACDs might cost $7,000, whereas Qobuz is $160/yr....

Nevertheless, it also seems there is a wide middle ground between my current streaming front end and a $20K setup.  I guess Christmas is coming, lol!

Ripped SACDs will sound just as good as a SACD player.

If you are going to change your setup I would suggest getting a good streamer that can also store CDs, SACDs, DVD-A etc.

Whatever streamer you buy it will need some type of isolation device, I use Ediscreation.

Then you will need an audiophile router and maybe an audiophile switch too, plus some decent network cables.

I've dialed back on the streaming and mainly listen to my music collection which has been ripped. There isn't enough time in my life to hear it all.

If you are sticking with your player and ripped music I would strongly suggest buying SACDs, SHM-CD, Blu-spec CD, HQCD, MQA CD and others from CD Japan and/or Discogs.

If your SACD player costs ~$10K then you should be able to get similar sonic performance (by carefully choosing) for around $10K - $12K.

I have never heard a streamer in the 10 K range but I am highly sceptical that spending into the stratosphere on a streamer will best SACD.  The key here from my standpoint is the DSD.  Perhaps if the streamer is used for DSD downloads it will rival SACD but otherwise I think it’s just chasing the asymptote.  I personally haven’t been able to tell much difference between a good $3K and a $10K streamer into the same DAC with FLAC

To equal the Marantz SA 10 SACd player on streaming , probably you have to spend a lot more. I listen to my friend house who is pure streaming, using good audio mirror dac and good streamer , it’s sounds good but I prefer my SA 10 , on good SACD recording it’s hard to beat.

SACd players are less complicated as well.

I'm not ready to spend $20K, but I already have a Denafrips Pontus II 15th and I just ordered a Lumin U2 Mini, which would be about a $4,500 streaming front end before interconnects.  I'll be able to compare DSD streams and I expect I'll have a nice improvement over the current streaming setup.

But I think there will still be a gap to the SACD setup that can be closed further with a separate LPS, fiber optic, better interconnects, and perhaps even better clocking that I will get from the Mini.  At some point I would expect my Denafrips DAC to show up better than the DA2.

Slightly different approach than most above - but if you use a PC to stream music, then HQ Player can make a huge difference. It's not that difficult, plus you can upsample everything to DSD. I do Spotify through HQ Player and it sounds fantastic. DSD as such sounds fantastic through HQP, but taking it to 256 is even better. @mattsca before spending $$$ try HQP - it is free.

@milpai 

HQ Player costs 299,00 €. Wish it were free

Oh also if you upsample everything to DSD on the fly, or use some of the more complex HQP filters, you’ll need a PC with serious horsepower.

@devinplombier ,

My bad. Forgot to add that it it "free to try". It's worth a shot if you have already spent $$$ on a DAC.

@devinplombier

Oh also if you upsample everything to DSD on the fly, or use some of the more complex HQP filters, you’ll need a PC with serious horsepower.

If you want to upsample to DSD 128 or 256, you can use a regular desktop or laptop. Not need for any powerful PC. In fact I use a fanless PC. BTW, what are you using for streaming? What does the rest of your system comprise?

I too have the MARANTZ SA-10. I look forward to hearing something better. The LAMB.l.d.o.BROADWAY Is retailing at £270. I am importing discs from Japan. The costs are just ridiculous. They cost the same to manufacture as a CD, and usually come in the same self destructing jewel cases.

Never happy,

IAN.

Based on my listening experience, I've always thought that SACD media is superior to streaming hi-rez tracks (eg. Qobuz) from a SQ perspectice. However, I often wonder if the difference in SQ is due to playing SACDs on a different device than the device I use for streaming.

Is it a fair comparison unless you're using the same device to stream and play SACDs?

I have used my Oppo 105 as a streamer, at least for playing CDs that I have burned to my NAS.  My Oppo plays SACD as a transport, sending DSD over HDMI into my Bryston DAC3.  I have burned the CD layer of SACD to my NAS (Melco N100) and they sound very good but the SACD is a clear improvement 

Based on my listening experience, I've always thought that SACD media is superior to streaming hi-rez tracks (eg. Qobuz) from a SQ perspectice. However, I often wonder if the difference in SQ is due to playing SACDs on a different device than the device I use for streaming.

Is it a fair comparison unless you're using the same device to stream and play SACDs?

No, it isn't.  The DAC is where most of the magic happens.  If you send the DSD signal from a SACD transport to the same DAC that is converting the digital signal from your streaming server, then it's a much more fair comparison.