2. digital
  3. 148779-108136

Sound quality issues streaming from Tidal vs CD

I am hoping someone familiar with streaming from Tidal might be able to help.

I have recently installed the Pro-Ject Streambox S2 Ultra, which is a small Raspberry Pi based network bridge. I connect this to my router via ethernet cable and to my Vitus DAC (which is part of the CD player) via USB. My CD player obviously outputs through the same DAC.

The sound quality from CD is so much better than the sound quality from Tidal (I am a Tidal Hifi subscriber).

So my questions are:

1. Is this just a feature of streaming via the internet, it simply is not as good as a good quality CD transport?
2. Or is it an issue with the Pro-Ject - would something like the Autralic Aries G2 (also a network bridge with no DAC) which costs 6 times the price of the Pro-Ject, improve the Tidal stream?
3. Or is it the fact that the USB cable I am using is an entry-level £10 cable?
4. Or is it Tidal? - would Qobuz sound better?

Any advice or knowledge would be welcome.
128x128duckworp

Showing 1 response by tom8999

tom8999
151 posts
 
Please simplify your life - get a LUMIN ASAP. I bought the LUMIN D1 four years ago - connect it to your Router via an Ethernet cable. My house is hard wired with Ethernet in all major rooms. Hard wire from the LUMIN into your Stereo input on your Preamp. LUMIN has two outputs - balanced and unbalanced. I feed both of my systems from one LUMIN - the TIDAL feed (especially MQA ) is amazingly good!! I do not use my turntable or CD player any more. The LUMIN interface via my I Pad Mini works great - the sound is the best I have ever heard out of my system!!

your usb feed is your weak link

Please simplify and just go buy the best Streamer/DAC on the market, and get back to enjoying the music!
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