The problem with streaming

@barts 

Well that is hysterical. I think I have eventually gotten something like that on all formates I gave collected. 

I have both cd's and streams recorded from lp's, all are  from obscure artists from 60's and 70's.

I get it that one would want to keep vinyl setup to play releases not available in any other format or rare pressing. I have both in my now over 3k collection of vinyl.

On the other hand, vast majority of streams not available on newly released vinyl or any vinyl for that matter.

If one judges streaming solely on these commercial, popular artists recordings your  missing what streaming is all about. I'm into new discoveries, all genres, the obscure, I'm constantly finding incredible recordings and artists previously unknown to me. I'd never find, or be able to purchase much of this music without the streaming.

And the streaming not merely for the discovery aspect, fully satisfying for this extremely hard to please audiophile. Just last night streamed  Ultra Lounge 'Space Capades' (from the larger set of Ultra Lounge releases), this would be considered bachelor pad music from early 60's, perhaps exotica as well. All releases in this set are well recorded as this music partially existed as demonstration music for bachelors with high end stereo systems in their bachelor pads. So, segueing this 20th century space trip into a rather new contemporary discovery, Brazilian  Girls, 'New York City,' 21st century space trip.

Both these recordings top flight, wide open, transparent, highly resolving, far better than most vinyl recordings. I could add more recordings from last night's listening session, and every listening session, with same high level of sq. Any talk about streaming being inherently inferior sq comes from ignorance. Playback is the greatest variable in streaming, setting up high end streaming is both complex and subject to constant innovations. I've been experimenting with different setups for past six or seven years, constant and consistent  evolution over those years to get to present totally satisfying setup.

Financial resources also play a role in deciding which sources we choose to use. At the moment, vinyl is the primary source in my system. Resources are directed to improving components in the chain to attain the sonics I desire.

Along the way, I’ve bought or been given albums.

Since resurrecting my system three years ago, every component has been replaced. I’ve also started my vinyl collection over again from zero during that time. I don’t envision acquiring thousands of albums. Several hundred is a round number that I think I’ll be content with.

The second source I use is an FM tuner. The dial stays on the NPR classical channel.

Technically, I do stream a little. I have a line that plugs into my laptop earphone jack and connects to the preamp. Occasionally, I’ve listened to music from YouTube.

@reubent had it spot on. It allows me to check out music - if I like it I buy the vinyl.  Not just that but some music I can’t source - ie Carnatic South Indian music. The problem with it is buffering. I don’t have it expecting great sound but I use it as an public library - I have a quick borrow and if like it I buy it

IMHO streaming is for lazy people who don't want to spend money building a collection of top notch recordings. Sometimes you buy something that you wind up not liking. I ditch those recordings. The end result is a collection of great works and many of them are not SOTA recordings but the music is so important you are willing to tolerate less than premium sound.