Streaming an aid to enjoyment

@antigrunge

• "My experience meanwhile is 180 degrees opposed to the OP. Anyone claiming that ripped CD sounds better than a Qobus HD stream most likely hasn‘t spent sufficient effort in tweaking their streaming setup. There are numerous threads here on improving streaming quality and inserting filters in the ethernet connection, using short high quality cables between filter and streamer, tweaking the router and obviously ascertaining you got enough bandwidth will result in streaming beating ripping by a coutry mile"

Agreed. Upgrading to an Innuous Zenith MK3, a separate gigabit ethernet switch with an Ifi low noise power supply, supra cat 8 ethernet cable, and an AudioQuest USB, improved my streaming immensely, way better than CD alone. Of course my dac and the rest of the system has a lot to do with that -- but I love it. Currently auditioning the ISO REGEN by Upton Audio. So far so good, the Bill Evans Trio is all but with me now.

I think most people agree that CDs shouldn’t sound better than streaming. There are clearly a number if variables to get there. I am sure  @Trmp350 s approach did the trick. But it need not sound that complicated. Replacing Ethernet switches and using an ISO Regen is not a requirement. At the highest level it is just get a high quality streamer... after that it is like all of high end audio... little tweaks help further improvements. 
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I did not need to fiddle with my network other than to put in a plug in wifi repeater in an outlet next to my audio system and plug the streamer into that. But that was just because my router was on the other side of the house upstairs and I didn’t want to install an Ethernet cable in the walls.

Agreed!! Some tweaks worked, some made no difference, some couldn't hurt. All researched here, through reviews and a couple dealers I like. Ultimately, however, all components and tweaks were purchased  for my room and preferences. I didn't even know I could experience such good music/sound with a system I could afford before I found this forum. In my case, relying on local highend dealers would would have robbed of the pleasure of researching and experimenting  with this stuff.

Full disclosure, I tweaked my system as well... I have an ISO ReGen, and a fancy Ethernet cable. I was buying an expensive piece of equipment, not the streamer) and my dealer threw them in. Some of my equipment was breaking in and I did not do any critical listening to see if I could hear the difference. But simply the purchase of either of my Aurender streamers had elevated streaming of Red Book CD and the Red Book CD equal.