2. digital
  3. 140561-89202

Sound Quality of red book CDs vs.streaming

I’ve found that the SQ of my red book CDs exceeds that of streaming using the identical recordings for comparison. (I’m not including hi res technology here.)
I would like to stop buying CDs, save money, and just stream, but I really find I enjoy the CDs more because of the better overall sonic performance.
 I stream with Chromecast Audio using  the same DAC (Schiit Gumby) as I play CDs through.
I’m wondering if others have had the same experience
128x128rvpiano
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Technology and improvements in materials, that's how we got here.  The average person is getting a better experience and the Audiophile can get a better than live performance experience now.  A far cry from your Pioneer receiver days.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
Using a DAC to measure jitter using J-test is insufficient and the wrong way to characterize digital sources. It’s okay for characterizing the jitter added by a DAC, but not for digital sources. Digital sources are accurately characterized only by DIRECT measurement, not with a AP system. It must include both the period distribution and the spectrum plots.

The better than -275dBFS is a direct measurement. However, the jitter out of a Topping D50 with the CCA as it’s source was what I was talking about as being better than -130dBFS. So while that latter test doesn’t detail the jitter exclusively from the CCA, it gives the total jitter of the system, which is better than human hearing in a residential room.
fleschler
2,029 posts
 
The music that I like that is missing from streaming is historic recordings (78s) and ethnic music.  If they are under copyright protection, one cannot hear back earlier that 1928 recordings without copyright infringement.  As to 78s in general, when Marston and Romophone recordings appear on streaming, that would be nice (highly unlikely).  The problem with streaming these labels would include the loss of the comprehensive booklets that give recording and historical details concerning the CDs.  Streaming is best for new music.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
The better than -275dBFS is a direct measurement.


Wrong, It's not.


Steve N.

mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@audioengr  
 
I’d genuinely like to know why. ASR measured the jitter reduction inherent with his AP by doing a J-test with a Toslink loop, then measured the Toslink output of the CCA (using the same cable I would assume), so if the jitter reduction was any worse, it would should up, and the differences were near non-existent.
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