One of the servers by Fidata using hi res downloads and ripped cd’s would be a good choice imo. You could add a good, reasonably priced streamer at some point like a Lumin U1 Mini for example.
CD Player vs. music streaming
Dear audiophiles:
I am in the cross road for the media choice. My CD player suffered from abnormal tray movement and consider to replace a new one (maybe the 2nd hand one). But on last Sunday, I paid a visit to the audio show and find out there are showing many streaming player of the famous brands with the price range of US$ 5000~20,000. I feel the sound is not bad with short listening.
I am thinking about my situation once more, if I buy a HI-Fi CD player, the price might equal to the audio streamer. Then, if I choose the CD player, I would keep on buying CD. But if I give up CD player and replace it with a audio streamer, my expense might be the monthly subscription expense which cost a CD or so. Besides,
my kids have no interest in classical music appreciation. There is no meaning for me to keep on buying CD. When I am passed away, the CD are useless...without not penny.
Under such kind of consideration, should I stay in CD player or should I switch to music streamer.
Any good opinion?
I am in the cross road for the media choice. My CD player suffered from abnormal tray movement and consider to replace a new one (maybe the 2nd hand one). But on last Sunday, I paid a visit to the audio show and find out there are showing many streaming player of the famous brands with the price range of US$ 5000~20,000. I feel the sound is not bad with short listening.
I am thinking about my situation once more, if I buy a HI-Fi CD player, the price might equal to the audio streamer. Then, if I choose the CD player, I would keep on buying CD. But if I give up CD player and replace it with a audio streamer, my expense might be the monthly subscription expense which cost a CD or so. Besides,
my kids have no interest in classical music appreciation. There is no meaning for me to keep on buying CD. When I am passed away, the CD are useless...without not penny.
Under such kind of consideration, should I stay in CD player or should I switch to music streamer.
Any good opinion?
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- 98 posts total
Dear Audiophiles: Thank you very much for your kind response to the subject. I visit one dealer to hear the rip hi-resolution file which streamer is a mid to high end model of the Aurrender. The Pre is Burmeister and the power is Classe mono+ mono and the speaker is Spendor 100. Just a short listening, the music (piano) sound reproduction is bold and solid, but I feel it short of the expression of the player and the music and the overtone. That means it is a bit hard tone. The Boss of the shop who is a veteran audiophile tells me that the best sound is LP, then, CD. The streaming is still lag behind. |
I love my cds, cassettes, and albums. Growing up use to listen to king biscuit, superstars in concert, etc, and record live shows. Those days are over. You can't find those shows on streaming services. A good portion of these shows are quite better than the original albums recorded in a studio. I subscribe to a streaming service, but I wouldnt give up the medium listed for the world. Music today, in my eyes is horrible. Different generation. Not My Generation. 500 dancers in unison, vs prerecorded music on stage. I dont care for it. Get your self a Rotel cd player, sit back and rocknroll. |
I think you are spot on with your assessment and inherent limitations of the CD situation. Another HUGE benefit of subscribing to a streaming service (I use Qobuz at $15/month that includes their hi-res recordings and am thrilled — best 15 bucks I spend every month) is that you’ll have unlimited access to that huge music library and you’ll discover new worlds of awesome music you might’ve never heard otherwise. My recommendation would be to buy an Innuos Zen Mklll for $2699 as it’s very high quality and does everything from streamer to DAC to CD drive for easy ripping and storage to good software interface. All you need to do is connect it to your internet and switch the interconnects from your CD player to the Zen and you’re in business (of course you need to subscribe to a streaming service, and most offer a free trial period so you can compare). Read Darko’s reviews as he describes the sound and also explains a lot about streaming that you may find interesting and informative as you’re getting started. Best of luck. |
I would go with a streamer. Probably rip the cd's you like that you can't find on the streaming service you use. Many streamers can handle a SD card or an external drive with music files. You can go for a streamer with built-in dac or buy dac separately. The latter gives you more choices. I am currently using a Raspberry Pi as a streamer connected to my dac but may upgrade later. Project Streambox has not been mentioned much but looks like a good option. https://darko.audio/2019/03/have-your-pi-eat-it-pro-jects-stream-box-s2-ultra/ |
- 98 posts total