2. digital
  3. 151521-101338

Unintended Consequences? Digital Streaming

My system has become more revealing through gear upgrades over the past year.  This is a good thing right?  Well perhaps yes and no.  I've begun noticing that even while streaming 24 or 32 bit/44khz files over Qobuz that many albums now sound compressed to me and that I don't lose that "compressed" sound until I move up into the 32 bit/96 kHz files and above.  This certainly adds to the magic I realize while playing through my vinyl front end which sounds humongous, open, and vibrant but much of my streaming digital experience has become less than satisfying. 

Am I imagining this compression while streaming supposedly lossless files?  Can anyone else relate or have similar experiences?
128x128three_easy_payments
jond's avatar
jond
5,841 posts
 
@three you may want to try posting this on the Auralic forum you may find some specific answers related to your Vega G1.

https://community.auralic.com/

I will say, I use an Aries Mini, that I've not noticed any compression to speak of, at least not that I've noticed, streaming primarily jazz on Qobuz. I only stream 16/44 and it sounds excellent. I will say that what matters more than the sampling rate is the provenance of the master so obviously some recording may sound better, or worse, than the CD you own.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments OP
2,097 posts
 
@jond 

I thought about posting on the Auralic forum regarding this as I do post there from time to time.  I too listen mainly to jazz and I will say the compressed sounding titles tend to be non-jazz such as rock and 90s power pop which likely are lower quality original recordings and masters compared to the jazz titles.  But when I stream Talking Heads "Speaking in Tongues" at 24/96 or Son Volt "Trace" also at 24/96 they sound brilliant.  I know for a fact those happen to be two really well recorded albums to begin with.  I think I have my answer.  
rego
378 posts
 
Could be a difference in Dynamic Range ... 
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
I think I have my answer.

Which is?  Thanks.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
May be of interest (re. 32-bit)...

https://www.sounddevices.com/32-bit-float-files-explained/

and application:

http://www.msbtechnology.com/faq/bit-perfect-test-files/

More to discover