2. digital
  3. 174982-143982

Vote Your Ranking -If you have an opinion on this digital subject

There have been many statements made about this question here and on other forums stating differing opinions as which SQ is better :

 

1.-Red book CD

2.-Streamed High resolution files- i.e. Tidal/Qobuz

3.-Downloaded files purchased in Super Hi Res-Acoustic Sounds

4.-Red Book CDs ripped and stored for playback as files

 

Everyone may have an opinion on their preference

but is there any actual evidence of this? I suppose the only

way to produce evidence would be via blind testing and

survey results.

 

So please list in your preferred order the numbers

1,2,3,4  with the 1st being the best/ 4 the worst SQ 

 

Audiophiles may have an idea of their preference

but is there any actual evidence? I suppose the only

way to produce evidence would be via blind testing and

survey results. 

 

Does anyone have some hard facts as it relates to this query? 

 

Thank You.

 

chorus
jackshew's avatar
jackshew
18 posts
 

2 with the proper streamer- Lumin u1

proper DAC - Denafrips 

a decent cable between the two- audioquest diamond usb 

 

travelinjack's avatar
travelinjack
180 posts
 

Assuming the same master/mix

1, 3, and, 4 should sound identical and the best.

2 potentially the worst but it could also sound the same.

They should all sound better than vinyl.

 

ticat's avatar
ticat
357 posts
 

1, 4, 3 and 2

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 

I do not understand why people find it such a hassle to walk on over to a high quality cd transport or player and insert a good old fashion cd. To me, all this hi res this and that is not needed and just complicates things. At some point, it does not matter the resolution, as a human is not going to hear the difference. Maybe if you have Bat-Like hearing you will detect any significant difference.. Most here are older and surely have some hearing loss as it Is part of the aging process. Also, what disturbs me about the whole streaming thing is the Fact that you do not really own anything. Owning something, in my opinion, requires not only the ability to listen, but also the ability to touch and see what you own. So, for me, streaming this or that will remain as a tool to find or discover new music both current and old. Lastly, I do not like having to pay a premium every month just to listen to something. Over many years, you could have saved all that money to actually purchase a hard copy of what you like. To me, being surrounded by actual physical copies (lp’s, cd’s, cassette tapes, etc..) is part of the lifestyle and decor of being an audiophile...maybe I’m old, who knows...I cannot envision a listening environment without my physical media at my finger tips, as I find it comforting to gaze at what I’ve ammased over my many many years of collecting. The last time I checked, a digital file or download has not increased in value and is deemed pretty worthless. However, some of my physical copies of music have done nothing but go up in value. Take a look at what some lp's are going for on ebay and discogs.....

chorus OP
976 posts
 

Wow, not much of a consensus eh?

Two votes for #1

Two votes for #3

One vote for #2

One vote for #4

 

The only takeaway is that most people,

18 of 23 here, have no decided preference.

 

Thanks to the  respondents who felt able

to respond to this hypothetical comparison. 

 

The concept of blind testing seems get a lot people upset.

Read that on several forums.

More to discover