Is there a difference in sound quality when streaming TIDAL Vs CD player

@fleschler,

Thank you for your recommendation on GroverHuffman cables. They are reasonably priced and appears to be a well thought out design. With 60 days return policy I will try them in very near future.

Thanks for confirming my thought on speaker wire and interconnects.  I purchased a pair of Tara Labs for $240 and find them to be sufficient.  However, I have not heard the difference by comparing these to more expensive speaker wire.

Didn't realize a DAC can make such a difference.  I wonder what DAC's you would recommend and at what cost.  Again, would someone gain a lot more by investing in a more expensive pair of speakers?  I still we never forget how incredible the SALK Encore3 Song speakers sounded at the RMAF priced at $6,000.  Just wish I had been able to listen to them before I purchased mine.  They would have been well worth the wait.  I don't know if anyone knows Jim Salk, but he is the real deal.  However, the longer I am involved in this hobby, I cannot believe how many speaker manufacturers there are out there.  It still would be nice if dealers carried a full line of speakers so I could listen to all price ranges to hear the difference and then determine if the more expensive ones are worth the investment.  I also still think if speaker manufacturers chose a select number of dealers to carry their line, they would be able to sell their more expensive speakers if they consigned them.  Perhaps offer a 6 month consignment time line.  This in turn would motivate the dealers to sell them before the time runs out.

My approach is that overall system synergy between all of the parts from the breaker box to the wires to the collection of equipment to the room construction to the seating position is more critical than the particular parts.  I have heard systems >>$100K that left me cold and systems that cost 1/10 that much that had me in seventh heaven.  Its a matter of how all the parts work together in your room with your ears.

Starting with the speakers is a common place because that is where the sound comes out, and speakers may editorialize the sound more and interact more with your room than other pieces.  Next to the speakers, the source, turntable or DAC, add the most “flavor”.  But having a great speaker with a noisy or weak amp, or a stridant DAC will only paint you a terrific picture of upstream weaknesses. Balance, balance, balance.

I provided a couple DAC brands and a budget target for you to consider, above.  More than that would require some thought.

Qobuz is as good as a CD if content is CD or better HR. The problem was they dont have many songs. If they did, my CD player would be on Audiogon. =)  

Here are some DACs between $1500-$3,500 I think would surpass the DACs in your Arcam.  If you are all in on digital music, it would be worth it to check these out.  Which is for you depends on your budget, personal tastes and synergy with your other gear and your room.

-Auraluc Vega
-Bryston BDA-3
-Chord Qutest
-HoloAudio Spring Kitsune Tuned Edition Level 3
-iFi Pro iDSD DAC
-Mytek Hifi Brooklyn DAC+
-Naim DAC-V1
-Schiit Audio Yggdrasil