Why does my old CD player sound so much better than my new streamer?


Earlier this year I upgraded my system. Briefly, new Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP integrated, new Lumin D2 streamer/DAC, kept my Tekton speakers, bought a 10 year old Muse Erato CD player, new Nordost Red Dawn cables all around.  After plenty of break in, the Lumin D2 streaming Tidal, even 24/96, does not sound close to as good as the Muse Erato.  I understand the Muse was about $10k new years ago, I paid $650 for it on Audiogon, is that the difference? It replaced my Naim I had for 20+ years and I bought it on the chance I want to listen to something not on Tidal, but now I'm going to CDs when I want to sit and listen instead of streaming. I considered upgrading to the Lumin T2, but will that be more of the same Lumin sound, which is accurate but thin and a little cold compared to the Muse.  I like the Lumin when just letting Tidal shuffle music as I move around the house, but from the opening note in an A/B test the Muse just sounds so much warmer, live and simply more enjoyable. Any thoughts or suggestions?
fsgattuso

Showing 6 responses by hehaw77

lol  Bluetooth is better than ethernet... that's laughable...  nothing is better than direct connections period........ also cables make a HUGE difference don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise...... ever.... 

See post above PROBLEM SOLVED 
all this banter.... here’s a simple answer ready for it? Ready , ready , ready here it comes ready, ready , ready , ready................................................IT"S CALLED NOISE..... that’s why your cd player sounds better. I’m not 100% sure or your setup but to get it to sound better.
A. Eliminate noise where possible and if your budget can afford it. A Sotm switch will do that for you (has a built in clock)
B. If you use ethernet in your system Sotm Cat7 cables filters will also assist.
C. Word clock if you can afford it
I’ve heard these on streamers and the difference is night and day no exaggeration. The biggest leap when the switch was added...

Problem solved.......
@ggc   all my music sounds better than CD , but its an elaborate system ...  as you noticed changing a power cord made a big difference, interconnects will also make a huge difference, usb cables (high quality) and of course a dedicated music player like an Antipodes or Innuos also make a difference a mac mini while good ; won't compete with those dedicated players... why you may ask... because they are noise treated at the board level and components etc.. special power supplies to eliminate noise... 
you know I quiver agreeing with a salesperson my hands are trembling... but there are some incredible cd players that bring out DSD :)-
no... not so... especially with upscaling... eg..  Chord MK2 Blu transport upscaler.........