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SACD v Streaming

I just recently hooked up my new (to me) McIntosh MCT500 via MCT (din) to my C53 (DA2).  I have an MC312 driving a pair of B&W 702 S3.  I then played a couple of SACDs - Van Halen (I) and then Carole King Tapestry - both high quality MoFi discs from original master tapes.

Holy heck, I was blown away.  This was the closest to analog I have ever heard from digital.  The detail in the timbre of guitar, bass, and piano was stunning to my ears.  And the voices of both David Lee Roth and Carole King were so real.  The soundstage was deep.

This was the first time I have heard true SACD.  I'm normally streaming through an Eversolo DMP-A6 or straight from my Roon Nucleus One (via USB to the DA2).  My internet connection is really good, though there is wifi and ethernet (versus fiber optic) in the chain.  I also have several dozen CDs and some DSD recordings on an SSD as well.  The sound from streaming is really terrific....but the SACD experience with really good recordings is clearly superior.

Am I just imagining this?  What do I need to do to match or exceed this SQ with my streaming?  Better streamer? DAC? Streaming connection? Power?  Curious as to your thoughts and your experiences.

mattsca

Showing 3 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,720 posts
 

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.

big_greg
6,720 posts
 

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.

big_greg
6,720 posts
 

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.

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