Full disclosure, I tweaked my system as well... I have an ISO ReGen, and a fancy Ethernet cable. I was buying an expensive piece of equipment, not the streamer) and my dealer threw them in. Some of my equipment was breaking in and I did not do any critical listening to see if I could hear the difference. But simply the purchase of either of my Aurender streamers had elevated streaming of Red Book CD and the Red Book CD equal. |
Agreed!! Some tweaks worked, some made no difference, some couldn't hurt. All researched here, through reviews and a couple dealers I like. Ultimately, however, all components and tweaks were purchased for my room and preferences. I didn't even know I could experience such good music/sound with a system I could afford before I found this forum. In my case, relying on local highend dealers would would have robbed of the pleasure of researching and experimenting with this stuff. |
I think most people agree that CDs shouldn’t sound better than streaming. There are clearly a number if variables to get there. I am sure @Trmp350 s approach did the trick. But it need not sound that complicated. Replacing Ethernet switches and using an ISO Regen is not a requirement. At the highest level it is just get a high quality streamer... after that it is like all of high end audio... little tweaks help further improvements.
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I did not need to fiddle with my network other than to put in a plug in wifi repeater in an outlet next to my audio system and plug the streamer into that. But that was just because my router was on the other side of the house upstairs and I didn’t want to install an Ethernet cable in the walls. |
@antigrunge - "My experience meanwhile is 180 degrees opposed to the OP. Anyone claiming that ripped CD sounds better than a Qobus HD stream most likely hasn‘t spent sufficient effort in tweaking their streaming setup. There are numerous threads here on improving streaming quality and inserting filters in the ethernet connection, using short high quality cables between filter and streamer, tweaking the router and obviously ascertaining you got enough bandwidth will result in streaming beating ripping by a coutry mile"
Agreed. Upgrading to an Innuous Zenith MK3, a separate gigabit ethernet switch with an Ifi low noise power supply, supra cat 8 ethernet cable, and an AudioQuest USB, improved my streaming immensely, way better than CD alone. Of course my dac and the rest of the system has a lot to do with that -- but I love it. Currently auditioning the ISO REGEN by Upton Audio. So far so good, the Bill Evans Trio is all but with me now. |
Innuos Zen for upgradeability |
My streamer sounds the same as a red book CD, but much of the time my streamer sounds better because it is being fed higher Resolution files from Qubuz... Tidal is good also, just not as many high Rez titles.
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In this day and age, if your CDs sound better than your streamer... time to look for a better streamer . You don’t have to go as far as I have to get there. Then you have nearly infinite music and suddenly all those discs are just collecting dust. Totally worth the time, effort, and cost. For the price of one CD per month you get nearly infinite music... the streamer starts paying for it. I have tried a few... I recommend looking to Aurender. |
Love streaming to find new music and simplicity but LPS sound excellent |
Mahler123,
i, too, find streaming very enjoyable for investigating new music.
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My experience meanwhile is 180 degrees opposed to the OP. Anyone claiming that ripped CD sounds better than a Qobus HD stream most likely hasn‘t spent sufficient effort in tweaking their streaming setup. There are numerous threads here on improving streaming quality and inserting filters in the ethernet connection, using short high quality cables between filter and streamer, tweaking the router and obviously ascertaining you got enough bandwidth will result in streaming beating ripping by a coutry mile |
I have the opposite experience from the OP. Most of my “streamed” music is my CD collection burned to Melco, and the difference in SQ is negligible. When I listen to Qobuz, I find myself fretting over the slight decrement in SQ, when it is a familiar piece of music. I enjoy the service most when I am investigating unfamiliar music and not in comparison mode |
cd or lp may sound a tiny bit better, but streamed music on my system sounds truly excellent
to me all sources are well well above the bar for being able to portray the music beautifully and vividly, i am be totally immersed in enjoying it
the miniscule sound quality differential is immaterial |
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Situation dependent.
If I want to listen to something specific I tend to favor LPs.
If I am just listening - streaming has more options and I can quickly change gears. |
For me, I only stream when I'm lazy. I get into the music more when the SQ is excellent. |
I believe your problem is "expectations". You are listening to the equipment and do not relax into the music. You like the music more with the streamer because you allow yourself to relax. But you do not allow yourself to relax with the vinyl and CDP. Its as if you have made your system into a hierarchy where you have high expectations of the TT and CDP. But you have automatic low expectations for the streamer because you KNOW it is the inferior source. This is my thoughts from reading your post and having a decent understanding of the human psyche.
IME the higher the expectation, the more opportunity for a let down. Low expectation often result in better experience. Its all in what your "standard" is. We are human and as a result, we're all kind of a strange mix . Take your CDP and TT out of the competition and just relax. IMO it is illogical to enjoy music of a lower quality better than of higher quality, if it is the same music. Relax. Forget about anything or how good or bad your system. Determine to love the music. try it and see what happens. BTW I doubt you are the only one to experience this. |
Try to learn two different listening modes. One is critical evaluation mode and the other is enjoy the music mode. You can learn to shut off the critical mode and just get into the music. |
