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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
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
The SQ with IDAGIO is CD quality and as good as any other service but hi res not available.
jond's avatar
jond
5,749 posts
 
@whart + 1 million the original mastering quality trumps everything, It is order of magnitude larger differentiator than anything else in the playback chain.
kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
268 posts
 
The sound quality of IDAGIO is exactly what I would expect:  excellent.

I am so fortunate that I am not cursed with ears good enough to reliably discern between 16/44.1 and any higher resolution.  Or perhaps my el-cheapo $10k system just doesn't have the resolving power.  Either way, I am perfectly satisfied with 16/44.1 material.

The good thing about "greater than 16/44.1audio files" is that many of these recordings have been re-mastered.  In most cases, that same master is used for 16/44.1 playback, so I have the benefit of enjoying the new mastering without having to listen to it at higher resolutions.  I have the gear to do so;  it's just not worth the trouble.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
Lalitk,

I downloaded the app.  How do I play it?
Do I have to have Tidal?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

audioengrI enjoy reading your posts for the most part. I do not see your gear listed nor pics in Virtual Systems? Happy Listening!

Done,

Steve N.

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