“streaming audio is very much inferior to 16 bit audio”
@brianlucey
The claim that streaming audio is inferior to 16-bit audio is an oversimplification. Whether streaming sounds inferior depends on several factors,
1. A well-optimized streaming setup can rival or surpass CD playback. This includes:
• High-quality DACs.
• Proper network infrastructure (e.g., fiber or galvanic isolation).
• Effective noise reduction in the streaming chain.
2. Source Material - Streaming platforms may sometimes use different masters than physical media, which can affect perceived quality. A poorly mastered track will sound bad regardless of the format.
3. Many people compare streaming to CDs without considering the effort required to optimize streaming systems. Without attention to detail, streaming can indeed sound inferior due to noise, jitter, or poor network configurations.
Given your industry experience and perspective, it appears you have yet to experience a good streaming setup or have no desire to explore potential of streaming. Streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal offer lossless and high-resolution formats, often exceeding the 16-bit/44.1kHz standard of CD’s. And Streaming services like Pandora and Spotify offers mediocre quality, far less than CD’s resolution.
