I found the main reason for what your experiencing boils down to mastering quality. Many, if not all, recent "remasters" are inferior to the older versions. It's quite apparent if you dig in to the various versions on tidal that many times the newer "remastered " version doesn't sound as good as the older version and in some cases the new one is just bad sounding i.e. flat, no dynamics etc. Even some of the master quality tracks sound worse than the originals. Its just the mastering now is not mastered for our systems but for headphones. Seems compression, lifeless sound sells.
Why Streaming Service Sounds ‘Flat’ vs Tune In /Local FM /Radio Paradise
I use a Bluesound Node, first or second gen I believe.
I use the S/PDIF output feeding my Esoteric K-07X CD/DAC using it as a DAC.
I find that CD’s, most things using Tune In, and local FM listening sound better than streaming either Tidal or Qobuz.
For the life of me, I can’t figure why that might be, since all are using the K-07X internal DAC. I can understand the CD, as it’s internal, with no S/PDIF cable to possibly muck things up. FWIW, I’m using the Illuminati/Kimber D-60 as my digital cable.
Any thoughts appreciated.