Results depend on the CD transport and the cables used. Chromecast Audio will sound better if you insert a reclocker inline with the DAC.
Absolutely. MP3 or ALAC streamed files will always lose a little depth and width over the .wav file (CD quality), but if you minimize the jitter from the Chromecast, the streamed files may be even better than the CD transport. If you use a Synchro-Mesh to reclock with one of my excellent BNC-BNC cables, it will probably beat the transport. I stream occasionally using Amazon Prime music and it sounds wonderful. Not as good as my Ethernet renderer, but really nice. I don't use any transport by itself because the jitter is too high. I only use my Oppo for movies now and reclock it with an iFi SPDIF iPurifier, which reduces jitter for Dolby Digital tracks. Steve N. Empirical Audio |
So, lemme see if I got this right.... you are streaming a service from some device (iPhone, iPad, laptop??) to the Chromecast via Bluetooth (strike 1), then the Chromecast is connected to your Gumby via USB (strike 2). Now onto Redbook CDs - you are playing them thru some CD transport, outputting SPDIF (hopefully coax) to the Gumby.
If I got the above right, there is no doubt in my mind that Redbook would be superior to your streaming services (any of them).
I finally got amazing "streaming" music quality once I took USB out of the direct loop using a DDC (in my case a Matrix SPDIF2, converting USB from my MacBook Pro laptop to AES/EBU for my DAC; even SPDIF coax sounded superior, but I like AES/EBU a little better).
I don't think any streaming service will outperform Redbook in your setup, assuming I understand your setup correctly. |
I always choose the CD quality option.
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@rvpiano - Sorry, I was not clear. I was referring to the standard service low-res/low-bitrate from Tidal or Spotify, vs. the hi-fi, CD quality offering. So, the $10/mo. vs. $20/month offering. I was not referring to hi bit-rate resolution such as 24/96 or greater. |
@georgehifi "Why is the Linn CD12 sounding better than their downloads?" Perhaps because you're playing your CDs on a $20K CD player with practically legendary stature? |
I can't hear a meaningful difference between CD/SACD discs on my Esoteric K-01X and files or Tidal into the USB interface of the K-01X. However, the Ethernet-to-USB conversion needs to be of high quality. In this instance, Roon DSP engine on QNAP i5 NAS into SOtM endpoints, with all components synchronized to a 10mHz master clock and powered by a Hynes SR7 LPS. I'm sure YMMV depending on execution. |
This sounds like you are running into a limitation of your DAC or Chromecast.
Streaming of Redbook should be the same as CD if the devices you use are working optimally and settings are for bit perfect reproduction, after all it is the same file. |
Kalali,
Could you you explain what a reclocker is, and how to install it?
Thank you. |
Reubent,
As I said above, I’m not talking about hi res files.
it doesn’t matter what platform I use — Tidal,, Qubuz, Spotify, the result’s the same.
Actual Red book CDs were compared |
I'm a Red Book man all the way! mg |
Results depend on the CD transport and the cables used. Chromecast Audio will sound better if you insert a reclocker inline with the DAC. |
@rvpiano - What is the source of the files you are streaming? Ripped CD's store on a hard drive? Spotify? Tidal? If it is from a streaming service, is it their low-res or hi-res offering? |
Who knows the provenance (where they came from) of those streaming bits? What generation of the master tape (if at all) was used? That's why I'll stick with physical media (LPs,CDs,RTRs), thank you! |
+1 same for me on my system Linn CD12, I’ve yet to get a better 16/44 or 24/96 from recorded downloads when owners bring them around.
Even the owners start making excuses, that don’t ad up, why the Linn is sounding better than their downloads .
Cheers George |
