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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
big_greg
6,716 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.

abenavraham's avatar
abenavraham
6 posts
 

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?

big_greg
6,716 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.

mattsca's avatar
mattsca OP
29 posts
 

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!

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
1,024 posts
 

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.

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