To Stream or not to Stream

Yep, streaming can be complex undertaking, so many routes available, constant change and innovation. Unique solutions are far more rule than exception. The only advice I can give is every link in chain matters in optimizing streaming sound quality. I started streaming many years ago, this has been fun and interesting journey.

I first started ripping because I liked iTunes and the convenience of moving my music to an iPod or iPhone. I ended up ripping my collection 3 times (ending with ALAC) and then my next move was to buy a NAS to hold all of my music. I moved into a house with Sonos installed everywhere. Then when Qobuz became available, I got that after I’d started using Roon.

I rarely ever listen to spinning CDs. For me the convenience of listening from one integrated database across midfi (Sonos, Apple TV,  Chromecast), or my hifi system, is worth it. Like others, I have CDs that aren’t on Qobuz. FWIW I am currently using a PS Audio DAC with a streaming board connected to my home’s Ethernet for my hifi system . Looking at options is dizzying, but I’d recommend trying to listen to 2-3 options then letting that go and just enjoy the music.

Easy. Bluesound Node (2021) from Crutchfield on 60 day home trial plus Tidal. Use digital out with first MQA unfold done to your DAC (unless it is MQA compliant - I don’t keep up with Macintosh). It will show you the quality and more importantly VARIETY of streamed content. You may just stop there and save yourself a lot of angst (and $). If not, or if you want to try something else, no foul. Send it back to Crutchfield.

I’m enjoying mine right now feeding my Meridian DSP speakers directly, controlling from my IPad while feeding it Apple Lossless HIRez alternately with Tidal MQA. New recordings sound infinitely better than older stuff on CDs thru a very excellent Meridian CD transport.

Just look at this compression comparison of the same Bruce Springsteen "Born to Run" from the first 1982 CD and the re-released 2014 Qobuz streamed/download one.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/cd-quality-versus-streaming-quality/post?postid=2214946#22149...

Cheers George

+1 georgehifi! I agree with you! The original flat transfers tend to be the best! Streaming users are trading off fidelity for convenience!

Well, in that one particular example, I would have to agree. Have not compared the two personally so will have to take the data at face value. All the more reason to trial streaming with relatively inexpensively equipment first (and with home trial).

I guarantee the convenience is worth it alone. But there are some excellent fidelity streaming recordings as well. And the greatest advantage in my opinion is the VAST amount of music one would never be exposed to otHerwise. 

+1 georgehifi! I agree with you!

Yep, with the later issue compressed ****, there’s no space of quite stuff between the loud parts, it all hectic, no chance for the ears/brain to breath, and do you think the muso’s want it that way when they originally played/recorded it
NO Way!!!!!

Well, in that one particular example, I would have to agree.

All you have to do is look for whatever you want on the DRDB site https://dr.loudness-war.info/ and get whatever issue is most green, and it will be 9 x out of 10 the first vinyl or cd issue

Cheers George

@snbeall,

Sorry to say but you’re barking up the wrong tree…. Just read on last few posts and you’ll know exactly who you dealing with! 
https://forum.audiogon.com/users/georgehifi/posts

snbeall
I guarantee the convenience is worth it alone.
All the more reason to trial streaming with relatively inexpensively equipment first (and with home trial).

I give you that part, it is convenient, but there’s no booklet which is a shame.

But here something you could do, to see if you don’t mind listening compressed vs uncompressed music, go with the trial streaming company that can give you the "vintage and Cat No, "of the recording issue they stream and you listen to. (If not I wouldn’t even go that way)

Then you can compare it on the Dynamic Range Data Base site to see if your getting the "later/est compressed one" compared to the "earlier/est non-compressed ones"

(Like this Springsteen Born to Run album)

Red (bad) means highly compressed
Green (good) means uncompressed and original usually from the master.

The first 1982 release CD
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/98918

And here is the 2014 compressed (squashed) Qobuz one
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/58448

Cheers George

Fail to understand those who loath streaming in favor of cds and records.  I have 500 or so albums and just as many cds and i am not interested in only playing them.  Love variety and convenience.


 High end systems used for streaming sound as good as lps and cds.  Cd quality is often a problem and scratched lps dont heal.
Also have lots of casettes, very nice.

Before you drop some serious coin on the ability to stream, as a less expensive solution, how about this bluetooth streaming device from McIntosh...  This MB20 looks cool.  
https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/media-streamers/MB20
Looks like the perfect thing instead for what probably is not a real serious streaming, but it looks like its got potential.  I plan on getting something like this as a first step.  

Fail to understand

It’s the vintage of re-issues they stream, later ones are usually much more compressed than earlier non compressed releases of the same thing, and chances are you get the later ones, and they don’t tell you the Catalog number so you can check here https://dr.loudness-war.info/

Cheers George

The blue sound 2I has a better dac then the old one the old one has a usb out this new one should have had also the stupid idiots 
released it when 2 days work or just copy the old one ,I wrote to them a future firmware upgrade very soon ? Whatever that means . I just don’t get it  my Mrs was going to use
with a $800 dac for upstairs . All newerMelco  n100
maybe even older ones big firmware upgrade I think last month 
now has Roon very well made . Sure you could add a linear powersupply if you wan5 at a later point still night and day 
better then any regular computer much much more quiet and sonicly better. I highly recommend to totally remove noise from your Ethernet signal the Uptone Audio Ether Regen for $640
a easy recommendation , I also bought the mini Ultra still points 
they truly clear up inner detail and overall performance 
if running a streamer no wifi a decent Ethernet cable from modem 
to router, I hav3 over 30 ft I use pro grade certified Beldon cat6
500 MHz , at the end where the regen Ethernet switch is a pretty goo Wireworld Ethernet cable which is the most important cable 
only $210 retail to match the modem $1570 retail just in refinements , the Bricasti M3 with streamer card is excellent 
now I just need to fbi your a excellent dedicated music server,
Thinking maybe , Melco N10.