Unintended Consequences? Digital Streaming

If you happen to be using Roon, or something like Roon, you may want to check the DSD settings. Otherwise check your software settings.  I'd guess that what you are hearing has more to do with the quality of the recordings.  

I don't use Qobuz, but do stream TIDAL.  I notice a general trend towards better sound in the 192, 352 and 384 versions.  There is a lot of good pop at 44, and 96, but not at the same level as 192/352/384.  This is a generalization and there are exceptions to the rule, probably caused by mastering and distribution techniques.  The other thing I notice is a lot of older Jazz that was recorded decades ago, and lots of it comes thru at 96 and its quite good compared to the pop.

Doing some poking around on the Auralic site it appears the G products do indeed include an upscaler and many prefer the upscaling quality over Roon.  Hence how I'm ending up with 32 bit titles instead of 24.

The main problem with streaming services is that they will only have the latest version of the album released by the record label.  This means the most recent remaster.  Remastering almost always ends up with a more compressed, less dynamic, master (cf the Loudness Wars).  This master is also often used for the equivalent new vinyl cuts too.

So if you are comparing a streamed master with an old cut of vinyl (or an old CD release from a previous master) then it is almost certainly going to be more compressed.   Nothing can undo this so the file size, the resolution, the bit rate, they are all irrelevant if a master is overly compressed.

In the future this is really the one reason why it is worth holding onto your old CDs or at least ripping them, as streaming services will always provide the latest master which will often sound poorer on high-end hifi equipment.