Sound Quality of red book CDs vs.streaming

Coming late to the discussion.

I understand all the benefits of streaming but it sort of reminds me of vinyl in that if it doesn't sound that good to you then the answer is that you need more and better gear to get all that it offers. And, as witnessed by this discussion it can get complex and really expensive.

I buy great recordings on used CDs for $4-6. Pop them in CDP and get awesome SQ. Easy. Cheap. 

Yes, I've got them ripped. No, the SQ is not identical.....but I haven't put much effort and virtually no money into it.

For me at this point the appeals of streaming are outweighed by the cost and complexity required to get to or above CD SQ.

I spend far over 200 euros on new music each single month. I have to admit I am addicted to music since I was 6 years old. I buy it from all over the world. Including DSD recordings. And many in hi-res.

We are a Lumin dealer and Lumin specialist. We modify Lumin players and also the Lumin L1(drive). We do a lot of research in audio all the time. We work in this world for over 20 years of time.

Our modified Lumin players outperform the most expensive CD-players if they where toys for little children. Most people do not understand sound. This is needed to understand and guide audio.

Most people use separate dacs and often USB. They have no idea how much they all limit themselves. Diversity (layering) in sound is the most important part of all aspects/properties in sound. Due to the fact that this can create the most influence to the human emotion during listening to music.

In this aspect and also regarding to the other aspects/properties of sound we outperform them all. Each human being will always choose that sound what creates the highest level in emotion during listening. And this is what we create.

I read Qobuz is also now available in the US. I was one of the first members when it all started. I have a French membership. What gives me the lowest prices available when I buy music from them. I bought over 1000 albums alone on Qobuz. And many more on other websites all around the world.

I am a born perfectionist who is only interested in the highest level possible. Everything what is less has no meaning. I was the first person in Europe who got the Lumin X1. Months before the first one in the US who got it. I use a modified powersupply of the X1. And 2 modified SBoosters for the modified Lumin L1 and 1 for my switch.

When we compare streaming (and we use the same songs at the same bitrate) by Tidal and Qobuz with our modified Lumin L1 drive (with the modified SBooster). The modified Lumin L1 drive (with modified SBooster) outperforms streaming as it is audio for little children. People don’t know that much about sound in general

Most people think and believe (based on assumptions) that digital audio is all about 0/1. And it is all the same. But.....audio is all about facts and what you can hear and percieve.

The Modified Lumin L1 (with modified SBooster) to a Lumin X1 (with modified powersupply) creates a level to die for. This goes so much further than the best cd players I’ve ever auditioned. The same counts for the most expensive dacs and drives. This is emotion at a level people never experienced before.

The people who create dacs and drives for manufacturers are all not happy with USB. They say; it is not made for audio, but for computers. The people who make the decisions for the protocols in audio make these decisions on personal benefit.....MONEY!!!!!!

But money will never garantee you anything in audio. The facts proof that most digital sources cannot create a high level in diversity (layering) in sound. It doesn’t matter which dac, cables, upsampler or clocklink you will use.

When a digital source owns a limited level in diversity (caused by the lack of different aspects/properties of sound) it will always own that limitation. Music is all about emotion. That is why you need an audio system what can reveal all the different aspects/properties of sound. But the biggest problem in audio is that most products are not able to reveal all the different aspects/properties of sound.

So what is the reason why so many people are not that satisfied with their system? And why they are not moved by their system..........

Because their systems cannot reveal all the different aspects/properties of sound. You need them all to experience your beloved music at the highest level possible. All the different aspects/properties of sound can influence the human emotion during listening to music.

This is why each single human being will always prefer and choose an audio system what can reveal all the different aspects/properties of sound. No one will ever choose for any incomplete trial and error created audio system. Due to the fact that trial and error systems create a much lower level in emotion.

We also compared ripped music with different programms and also with better drives. And yes the quality differs a lot. When we started to compare music you can buy even here the quality differs a lot. Even when we are talking about the same album at the same bitrate and quality.

Music I buy from Qobuz is better in sound quality than from other websites. I also found out that when I compare the best results in ripping vs the same music you can buy from Qobuz. The music I bought from Qobuz was better than the ripped music from cd’s.

That is why I bought many albums I love again from Qobuz. The thing I want to mention is that I love Pro Studio Maters a lot. Because they have often albums in Hi-Res which no other website has.

When you only want the best possible, use only music you can buy and use a modified drive with a modified powersupply. It outperforms the best streaming quality available at this  moment by planets in distance.

It is a totally different league on it’s own. And mannn it is so addictive. The level in realism and emotion is just one big blessing. I never could dream that this level in music playback would even be possible.

I listen to new music for about 3-4 hours each single week. I have to admit that the quality is still often limited and poor. It takes a lot of time to find the best music and also in a good quality. That is why I spend so much time in listening to new music. This is what I love most in life.

When you can play music at the level I own now with a modified Lumin L1 drive (with a modified SBooster) to a Lumin X1 with a modified powersupply.It makes music even more addictive than it ever was before.

I have done thousands of tests in audio in over 20 years of time now. This is for me just as addictive as music is for me. We also did a lot of reasearch in ethernet cables.

We put the same music from the same computer with different ethernet cables. And we were suprised about the outcome. Most people believe and think it will never make a difference. Based on assumptions.

But.......audio is not about what you think or even what people say. Audio will always be all about facts and what you can hear and perceive. The sound and what you hear will always  tell the truth.

I had the best results with the Audioquest Diamond USB connected to the Lumin L1. It was impressive how much more details and layers you could hear compared to other cables and cheaper Audioquest USB cables.

I sold many many Lumin’s in over 3 years of time. I sold the most Lumin L1 drives compared to any other shop who also sells Lumin.

Audio is all about shootout. And each single person wants that sound what is superior to any other quality.

I have many clients who first used different nas drives. But.....when we did compare the modified Lumin L1 with their nas. And even the most expensive ones. It was no match.

This is why I sold so many Lumin L1’s. You would be a born MF. fool to use any nas. The same counts for streaming by Tidal and Qobuz. When we compare the same music streamed by Tidal and Qobuz to the modified Lumin L1 and modified SBooster. The streamed music is just one big F. joke!

In my world and those of my clients streaming is just for little children. Clients who streamed a lot, now stream a lot less after they modified their Lumin L1. The difference in level in so huge, that streaming is not that impressive anymore. When you hear music played by the modified Lumin L1 (and modified SBooster) what it does to your emotion is so addictive. The joy and smiles it creates on your face is priceless.

We create sound and are always looking for the best quality possible. 2nd best and less is only made for the born losers in this world. We take care of all our clients. And want each single person to get the best quality for their money!