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Hi-res streaming on Qobuz

Although hi-res titles on Qobuz indicate streaming at 96kHz or192kHz, I’m not sure my system is reproducing those levels. Both my Arcam Rplay streamer and Schiit Gungnir multibit manuals indicate they accept up to 192kHz.  But I can’t hear a difference in quality comparing hi-res to non hi-res files.  Even if I do an A B comparison using the exact same titles with Qobuz hi-res and Idagio CD quality  resolution, I hear no difference. There are no indicators to tell what’s happening, so I’m wondering if I’m indeed hearing in high resolution.
Is there any way I can be sure?
128x128rvpiano
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
interesting experiment.  I streamed Idagio through my IPhone instead of IPad.
Results were awful.  Horrible sound.
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
@OP, 
Any Bluesound Node will perform equally after upgrades.
I asked BS about this, and they confirmed it.
So, you can save some coin by getting an earlier iteration.
I still use the original Node-though the last major upgrade had to be re-upgraded, as it caused a number of issues-But, Bluesound fixed it.
B
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
thanks for the tip, but I already ordered the new one.  it’s currently $100 off normal price anyway.  Arriving tomorrow.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
Well, I got the Node 2i and put it through its paces. I compared hi-res streaming on Qobuz to normal streaming of identical selections on Idagio.  The differences in quality were tiny if any at all.  Certainly not a game changer.
But the biggest difference was in the comparison to the Arcam.
While the sound of the Node is certainly good, it does not have the transparency or dynamic range of the Arcam.  It’s definitely a step down in fidelity.
It could be the Node needs to break in more.   (I don’t know how much break in a streamer needs.). I did leave it on for hours.
My impressions jibe with the review in What Hifi.
Based on these preliminary tests, there certainly is no reason to hold on to the Node.

melvinjames
416 posts
 
Well @rvpiano, now you can rest assured you made the right choice to begin with. I have the Node 2 and didn’t detect much (if any) burn-n so I doubt it’s much of a factor. It’s a nice streamer, no question, but it’s certainly not the end-all. FWIW as much as I enjoy high-res my focus has changed over the years. My goal is to get Redbook ’right’. Besides the fact there’s far more music available at 16/44.1, I’ve found there’s an awful lot of goodness to be had from well-mastered CDs. Best.
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