Streaming for beginner
"The H360 incorporates a high quality DAC, using Hegel’s proprietary re-clocking. The benefit of this is that we can make everyday sources sound really good. Sources like a phone or a computer. This is why we have also included functionality like Apple AirPlay and DLNA streaming. There is also a reference class USB input, supporting all formats including native DSD64 and DSD128." https://www.hegel.com/products/discontinued/h360 |
I use Qobuz either streamed from IPad / Frontier router via Air (WiFi or Eth), or streamed from MacBook via Router to DAC USB, depending on what amp I feel like listening too. For me, I still think my good CD player sounds better, clearly more resolved with better presence, clarity / lack of grain, more ‘there’, richer.. I use streaming more because I don’t have a huge collection of CDs, and it gives me access to a wide range of music at my fingertips. I am in general somewhat satisfied with streaming, although sometimes I feel quality is not the best and the system won’t keep me captured for long. If the sound quality is there, with the right music, I find it hard to stop listening and want to turn up the volume frequently. i am still convinced Vinyl sound quality from a good rig is unbeatable, although i do not presently have a vinyl rig. |
@adameos, One way to enhance your experience is to isolate the noise from your MacBook USB port. I am not sure if you’re using anything at the moment but you may try this device and see if you hear any audible improvements. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLMZP5Y/ref=twister_B07FM9J683?_encoding=UTF8&th=1 |
mbiondo— Re. sound quality, current redbook CD is as good as it gets; refer https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2020/01/on-cd-quality.html Higher resolution programming sources are not going to provide any audible advantage, although the power of expectation bias can be very persuasive. |
Thank you, tchatch. You are right, but it is also my fault that I titled this thread "streaming for a beginner". While true I am a beginner, I did state clearly that I want to replicate a similar SQ from my redbook cd collection, currently played thru what I think is very good equipment. Equipment that I invested wisely (if there is such a thing in hi-end audio!) to get the best sound I could possibly get at a budget I was comfortable with. If I cannot get something that is at, close to, or better, than cd spinning, I will lose interest very fast. I'd rather budget $5k (my budget, btw) for such a streaming system than rather waste $1k for something that will, in my opinion, sound below my expectations. I have invested heavily in my system to get a SQ that pleases me, but if I was simply looking for streaming convenience, well, I already have that: Spotify. I have learned a lot here, and am taking all the advice everyone has contributed in order to make my final investment. Again, this has been a phenomenal learning experience for me. |
