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Streaming vs CD transport direct comparison


Yesterday we had a day at a friends comparing the title to this thread.
System consisted of:
  • Speakers — Wilson Alexia series 2
  • Amplifier — Gryphon Audio Antileon EVO
  • Preamplifier — Supratek Cortese or Lightspeed Attenuator LDR passive or source direct (we used the Supratek for instant a/b ability)
  • Sources — Digital: 432Evo Music Server Roon Core (owner has found Roon to be the best)
  • Yamaha CD-S2100 as transport,
  • Totaldac d1-core DAC.

We A/B both (levels matched) CD to 432Evo (streamed, saved and/or to H/D) with a number of albums same versions, classical, jazz, soft rock, hard rock.
The overwhelming consensus of all 5 listeners (some that "were" originally very pro streaming) was that the CD was firstly clearly more dynamic, had better separation and was blacker background between notes and it was also clearer through the vocals that were hard to hear what was being said, than what came out of the 432Evo.
This is the third time I’ve sat in on this kind of A/B on different systems all were similar on how the differences came out.
I can say the streamer would be a slightly better late night low volume level system to play, as it’s dynamics wouldn’t wake other people in the same building. Where the CD you’d be running for the volume every time there was a big dynamic passage.

Cheers George
georgehifi

Showing 2 responses by cleeds

cleeds
6,099 posts
 
georgehifi
... both were the "year and label". So we knew if it was, 1st release, later remaster, re-release, or reissue...
That the tracks show they were released in the same year on the same label is no assurance that they were made from the same master tape. Not even close! That’s why some audiophiles tend to prefer Japanese pressings, or British pressings or yet another country of origin - they can all sound different, even on new releases.
And with the amount of a/b’ing all seemed correct, as all had the same outcome.
That’s actually what makes your test results suspect - that there was "overwhelming consensus of all 5 listeners." It’s unusual to get such singular results from a listening test designed to detect preference.

I’ve conducted some similar tests. Sometimes the CD sounds better. Sometimes a hi-res stream sounds better. Sometimes an LP sounds best. As others here have noted, there are so many variables that such a result is hardly a surprise.
cleeds
6,099 posts
 
georgehifi
We A/B both (levels matched) CD to 432Evo (streamed, saved and/or to H/D) with a number of albums same versions, classical, jazz, soft rock, hard rock.
How do you know that the streamed version and the CD version were the same version - that is, from the identically same master?

You don’t mention the streaming source. That’s important, because I’d expect different results from Spotify than I would from Qobuz, for example.
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