Sound Quality of red book CDs vs.streaming

I don’t listen to a whole selection as much while streaming as I do with a CD or record.

rvpiano
finally going to complete my system. I enjoyed an audition with Pass Labs X-150.8 power amp earlier this week.  Considering cabling and pre-amp options now.  I will keep you posted.  Happy Listening!

I'd rather listen to my red book ripped flacs than to Pandora or some such IMO.

I continue to see negative posts about how streaming quality is not on par with CD resolution. Please don’t expect to be wowed by plug n play devices (like Chromecast) and streaming providers that don’t offer CD resolution, case in point Pandora and Spotify. As one of the member pointed out, this kind of setup is good enough for parties not for serious listening experience.

Invest in a good streaming device / DAC, subscribe to Tidal and ensure following steps,

1. Never use WIFI for streaming music content to your network player,
2. Limit network traffic when playing an online stream,
3. Use software optimized for sound quality,
4. Use high-end network adapter & switch,
5. Upgrade your router,
6. Replace generic ethernet patch cords with audio grade LAN cables.

I can say unequivocally streaming in my system has surpassed all of my expectations and I enjoy streaming just as much as spinning my CD/SACD’s collection.

Those of you guys using Tidal as a reference to compare streaming to CDs, there is hope.  Spent last night comparing Qobuz to Tidal and Qobuz gets you so much closer to CD sound than Tidal ever did.  In my system, I use to think it was the streamer or cables that wasn’t up to par but it’s looks like it was always the music data source. At else in my system Qobuz via an Aurender N100h sounds better than CDs playing through my CDP transport.  I will be switching over to Qobuz.