Sound Quality of red book CDs vs.streaming

@jmarshak & @arafiq 

Thank you both for your kind words. I am requesting you to ignore posts from riaa 😊

@jafant,

“Streaming...etc., still has a long way to go”

Would you mind sharing your streaming setup? 

@rvpiano,

My Aurender conductor app gives me complete details on original album release date, remastered year and the file bits. Aurender streams via Tidal.

For example, Dextor Gordon - Doin’ Allright album released in 1961, remastered in 2015, streaming at 192kHz. And the album sounds pretty darn amazing. 

@rvpiano,

In order to use Aurender Conductor App, you must own and install one of the Aurender music server. The Conductor app only works with Aurender server. 

@rvpiano,

You need to sign up for a free 30 days trial before you can stream music. 

https://tidal.com/us/try-now

wolfie....you crack me up with your cave man mentality 😉

+1, kalali. 

Not sure why but some folks are just eager to express their uninformed opinions instead of speaking from actual experiences. 

Streaming has come a long way in last 3-4 years. Just invest in a good ‘audio’ streamer / DAC combo along with Tidal subscription and prepare to be amazed. 

“streaming is fine for casual listening” 

@foxyrjd,

Do you mind sharing your steaming and  vinyl setup? 

@nycjlee,

Well said, it all starts with a good source!

Are you able to stream Qobuz in 24bit/192kHz resolution? I tried the free trial that limits you to hear files in 24bit/96kHz resolution, which is quite good. And yes, from what I heard Qobuz streaming is a step forward than Tidal.

I can’t wait to try Qobuz in it’s full glory.

I continue to see negative posts about how streaming quality is not on par with CD resolution. Please don’t expect to be wowed by plug n play devices (like Chromecast) and streaming providers that don’t offer CD resolution, case in point Pandora and Spotify. As one of the member pointed out, this kind of setup is good enough for parties not for serious listening experience.

Invest in a good streaming device / DAC, subscribe to Tidal and ensure following steps,

1. Never use WIFI for streaming music content to your network player,
2. Limit network traffic when playing an online stream,
3. Use software optimized for sound quality,
4. Use high-end network adapter & switch,
5. Upgrade your router,
6. Replace generic ethernet patch cords with audio grade LAN cables.

I can say unequivocally streaming in my system has surpassed all of my expectations and I enjoy streaming just as much as spinning my CD/SACD’s collection.

👍

@lowrider57,

Streaming files are no different than CD or Vinyl pressings. We have great sounding albums on CD’s or Vinyl’s and bad one’s too. I am not saying there is no truth here, there are plenty of rock albums that don’t sound good on Streaming but they also suck on other formats too. Some of us are fortunate enough to own good copies that sourced from original master tapes. IME, there are plenty of great sounding files on Qobuz / Tidal that sound as good as CD or better.

Some people loves to make unnecessary ‘noise’ about compression...funny thing is they don’t even have a streaming setup. They are just too stubborn to get out of their comfort zone and adapt to present or future.

“Streamers are great for experimentation but not for sound quality”

@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook,

Comment like above tells me you have no experience with streamers or you’re too cheap / lazy to invest in a SOTA streamer setup. It appears you have yet to hear a good streaming setup.

My streamer / DAC setup smokes any $20K Esoteric CD/SACD player. I know so cause I have done the A/B comparison in my home.

“So I guess auditioning gear anywhere is a futile and worthless endeavor.”

Never said that...it does provide some reference but I am mature enough to not make silly statements like the one below 😂

“Streamers are great for experimentation but not for sound quality”.

You know what my system is....are you going to step up and show your $300k system or continue to be a troll?

I actually own a streaming system with EMM DA2 DAC 😊

You on the other hand admitted to ~ ”Ive ONLY heard streamers when going over to listen to other peoples systems for your info”.

So no personal experience, zero coin in Streaming and who knows what you’ve heard to make statements like,

“Streamers are great for experimentation but not for sound quality”.

If you had the chops to buy Taiko Extreme + MSB Select DAC, you will singing a different tune here.

@audio2design,

I know, sadly some of these folks are just stuck in their ways. They shamelessly continue to peddle their archaic experiences. One of them here listens to Spotify and then make ‘noise’ about compression 😂

“put up the Spotify links showing they have the best DR versions also "with the catalogue number" so we can check it on the DR website.?”

And then those who makes ridiculously outlandish claims like “if streaming could come close to a 70K-80K spinner clock combo”.

They have obviously never heard a system consist of Aurender W20SE, Taiko Extreme or Pinkfaun 2.16 Ultra with MSB, Vivaldi or EMM Labs DAC’s.