My experience after lost of 20k$

Like any other source components, good sound starts with the best versions of the title.  As the quality of different CD or vinyl releases varies, remastering may be better or worse, etc., you have to seek out the best versions to have the best sound. PC audio is not a cure-all, it is just an extremely convenient way to get to CD+ sound.

Hi Res *can* sound better than redbook. As above, it’s about the best source material, and often if something is hi resolution, then someone has taken more care with the mastering. But not always, and there’s plenty of not-better hi res out there.

Also, it takes knowledge. I have even been surprised at how many otherwise gear-smart folks don’t understand PC audio, operating systems, or the audio path through their systems. You have to understand it to optimize it - it’s not about cables and audiophile network gear. PC Audio can sound stellar.

Call me old fashioned, but after 35 years in audio, a collection of more than 300 LPs (many DD Masters) nearly as many CDs  and a collection of decent gear - I have 0 desire to change gears, dump a bunch of bucks and jump on to the digital stream band wagon. If I make any upgrades in the future, it probably will be to the next larger Maggie and an upgrade to my CDP.

One of the nice thing about being retired is that I have a good amount of time to just kick back and enjoy some real great music and spend little time worrying about expensive ways to make it the tinniest bit better.
You kids enjoy your downloads and streaming, but think I'll stick to spinning my discs and LPs....Jim.

I started my HiFi hobby in the late sixties building Heathkits and plywood speaker cabinets.  I have about 500 CDs and about and about 300 LPs (I have a habit of selling off records and CDs in order to make room for new ones).  I still buy new and used records, and that collection is growing a bit (I am somewhat enamored with all things analog).  I also will buy an occasional CD or download.  But mostly, I just stream from TIDAL.  90% of my CDs and records are available on TIDAL (mostly Jazz and Classical).  TIDAL has expanded my collection to around 50 million tracks.  I sometimes go months without cranking up my CD player.

I don't download and stream to chase infinitesimally small improvements in sound quality.  I do it because it is convenient and dirt cheap.

Kahlenz

i tried the free Tidal trial a year or so ago and found it very difficult to use for Classical.  Very poorly organized, worse than themes that iTunes or similar programs make organizing Classical.  I don’t know if it’s been improved since them.  Any comments?
 

amir52bs

As with all things hi-fidelity the approach and basics make all the difference.  I have never used a MacBook Pro as a computer source for any resolution digital audio files.  
My experience is anything but disappointing.  I constructed a silent hi-def audio window 7  pc built on a compact SilverStone Grandia HTPC ATX Aluminum Enclosure. The heart of the system is a M-AUDIO Audiophile 2496 PCI card.  No drivers exist beyond W7 so that has not been a problem.  
I still spin vinyl as I have over 700 pressings and use my silent audio pc for music files and streaming of a vast variety.

My silent audio pc is by far the least expensive audio component in my chain but maintains supreme fidelity.  If interested I can provide a source for acquiring this awesome audiophile PCI card.