If Ethernet connection was used, then whatever the online streaming source was, it was severely compromised by the connection. I was fascinated and elated to find that employing the systemOptique optical cable converter (Ethernet to optic) when the SONORE Signature Rendu SE was upgraded with that feature improved the streaming significantly. The noise floor dropped, and the dynamics improved. I believe that use of the optical connection was a boost to the quality of the streaming source, Tidal's upper tier through ROON.
Also, I find that defeating all of ROON's settings, returning to a less manipulated stream, is preferable, at least in terms of the ROON's digital engine.
There are many results possible, so it is not as significant as might be expected to declare CD always superior. I have also been able to get CD to sound better than streaming. However, change a power cord, a cable, a player, DAC, etc. and the result shifts in potentially negative ways. I would not subscribe to the notion that CD is universally superior. For instance, simply using a different DAC in each setup can make either one superior sounding. Perhaps if 4 or 5 DACs were used in the comparison, then a more general conclusion could be reached. The comparison would need to be made in many iterations. Who is going to sit through that, and compile the notes, experiences? Very few people. I might, if I found it worthy topic of consideration.
CD was my playback source, and streaming had to reach a comparable level, or at least close enough that the difference was akin to a couple of power cord changes. Once that level was reached, I chose to dump the disc in favor of streaming and file playback. That was a few years ago now, and the digital playback has kept improving, quite suitable for reviewing.
So, can I make a CD source sound better; sure, that's not difficult. But the question is whether it is universally superior. Without many systems, i.e. 5 to 10, to assess, I consider a statement of its universal superiority a limited conclusion.
Also, I find that defeating all of ROON's settings, returning to a less manipulated stream, is preferable, at least in terms of the ROON's digital engine.
There are many results possible, so it is not as significant as might be expected to declare CD always superior. I have also been able to get CD to sound better than streaming. However, change a power cord, a cable, a player, DAC, etc. and the result shifts in potentially negative ways. I would not subscribe to the notion that CD is universally superior. For instance, simply using a different DAC in each setup can make either one superior sounding. Perhaps if 4 or 5 DACs were used in the comparison, then a more general conclusion could be reached. The comparison would need to be made in many iterations. Who is going to sit through that, and compile the notes, experiences? Very few people. I might, if I found it worthy topic of consideration.
CD was my playback source, and streaming had to reach a comparable level, or at least close enough that the difference was akin to a couple of power cord changes. Once that level was reached, I chose to dump the disc in favor of streaming and file playback. That was a few years ago now, and the digital playback has kept improving, quite suitable for reviewing.
So, can I make a CD source sound better; sure, that's not difficult. But the question is whether it is universally superior. Without many systems, i.e. 5 to 10, to assess, I consider a statement of its universal superiority a limited conclusion.