CD transport vs.streaming

Hello,

I think the reason the streaming and the CDT sound the same is they are going through the same DAC. I have heard that you can run a $27 DVD player through a good DAC and it sounds really good if not great. So many of us have a BlueSound Node variety and the DAC is pretty good I have to admit. I have done tests in the past and it was keeping up with $500-$600 DACs. When I ran it through the Oppo or even better a $14k DAC I was blown away. Borrow a really nice DAC. Like $2k or more. The Denifrips Pontus 2 might be close but is a great test. You will get why a lot of people drop crazy money on DACs. I still say the Preamp is still the most important. Especially since I have heard the $30k Ayre KX-R in my home. That being said the DAC is the second most important to me. Third would be speakers. I might be alone on this but times have changed. Still have my BS2i. Too good to let go plus I love the app. I think they should take a cue from Schiit and make a killer linear balanced version or maybe just start with a killer streamer transport to run into a nice DAC. I’m not alone in this thinking. Honda and Toyota stared out as inexpensive cars but now have Acura and Lexus which can cost into the six figures. I would still like to get a Node and do the LPS upgrade to run into a killer DAC some day. 

I always imagine others following a discussion, and what relates to the subject that might be relevant to someone, that's why I shared my recent quest here, and this and that elsewhere.

If its the same source material and resolution and things are done right it doesn’t matter. Streaming has all the +’s though on overall utility so work on that if needed. The right DAC is a must. Most any good quality streamer will do. THat’s to do it right. What sounds good is largely subjective, so you may have to tweak anywhere to get the sound to your liking once the digital is good, especially if you are a 20th century tube/phono kind of guy historically. I recommend a good quality Class D amp in lieu of tubes these days.

I agree with Charles1dad.  We don't need another fight over which is better--there are great examples of both CD players/transports and servers.  I have all of my CDs burned to a NAS, because of the extremely convenient access this affords to the nearly 5,000 CDs I have (I still keep the CDs).  My server sounds as good as the terrific CD player I use to own (Naim 555).  

What is surprising to me is that the sound can be quite different between two servers feeding the same DAC.  I heard a shootout between a Sonos server and a slightly more expensive Italian model (I cannot remember the name) and I peferred the sound of the Italian model with both Qobuz and Spotify.  

@larryi Your experience between the two servers not surprising. Hearing a single or multiple streaming setups doesn't give one much insight into how another streaming setup may sound.

Streaming setups are at least as unique as vinyl setups, probably more. There are so many options available, optimizing any particular setup requires much effort.