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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
devinplombier
639 posts
 

@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.

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,472 posts
 

@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.

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,472 posts
 

@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?

irjones
26 posts
 

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.

cycles2
210 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?

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