Streaming vs. CD

 I stream using Qubuz through my Aurender music server/streamer.  I purchased the Aurender ACS-10 unit because it allows for ripping my CDs to the internal hard drive and also to a backup NAS. 

Listening to the music via the internal hard drive vs the streamed music, I can tell the difference slightly, but just slightly most times.  But, when I put a CD on my CD/transport unit into my DAC and listen and then switch to the Aurender unit (either streamed music via Qubuz or via internal hard drive), all into my Audio Research DAC, seriously, 100% of the time, the CD into the DAC sounds noticeably better.  

Don't get me wrong, the Aurender into the Audio Research DAC 9, either streamed or via the internal hard drive sounds excellent.  which is why I purchased the Aurender unit in the first place.

It's just that my CD transport into the DAC sounds better, more open and nice.  As an Engineer, I can't explain this because the Aurender copies bit perfect.  Oh well.

A very good friend of mine was streaming to his Mark Levinson DAC via an Amazon Prime music streamer. He was okay with this.  CD to DAC was very much better.  Then he purchased a Cambridge streamer and it is wayyyy better than the Amazon Prime streamer.  But!!! the Mark Levinson CD/Transport to his Mark Levinson DAC is still better than his streamer to DAC.

The good thing is that both now make him smile and enjoy.

enjoy

One conundrum on this issue I have not been able to resolve in my mind is that almost without exception CD playback is always better than 'equal' streamed playback.  

I tried to isolate all the variables in equipment and playback and always got the same result.  Then I bought a Marantz ND8006 - and the same is true.  You may know that with this unit, as a CD and network player, the DAC is the same onboard.  But when I playback a CD against the same version of a song from Tidal or Amazon HD the CD always wins, better top end, more 'air', better imaging, timing etc. You may say that Tidal and Amazon HD are not actually CD quality - but they are pretty pretty pretty close.  Still the CD playback is easily distinguishable - and since it is all playing from the same unit it eliminates potential for other variables to influence the outcome (different cables etc).  Maybe there is still a clocking/jitter difference between the CD output to the DAC and the streamed signal to the DAC - but it seems not very likely.  

I have not yet compared it with a downloaded FLAC or other high res file but I wouldn't be surprised to still find for some strange reason the CD still sounding better again even on a unit like the Marantz ND8006  - bits are not just bits for whatever reason.  I don't get it. 

It’s now two years since my original post.  Since then I’ve acquired a whole new setup, including a new DAC (Benchmark) and streamer (Cambridge.) Now the SQ of streaming, using Qobuz or Idagio, is virtually indistinguishable from my CD transport (Cyrus.) I never though it was possible.  One factor in the equation was the purchase of a new streamer power cord ((Audioquest.). Made a major difference.

I second Rvpiano. I use a node2i and with an upgraded powercord and cabling I can't tell the difference between Tidal or Qobuz at 44.1 and the same mix played over my transport through a Doge 7 tube dac. Hires up to 192 can sound a little crisper and clearer then 44.1 but the same bit rates sound exactly the same from either service (although only Quobuz goes to 192 with my dac, tidal limited to 96k). Sounds almost comparable to dsd in fact but nothing beats SACD surround (ex. EJ Tumbleweed Connection through low jitter connection direct to AV is best I've ever heard). Surprisingly, the XM app sounds excellent and a little different than other service although only cd quality. It has a bassier more powerfull sound and I suspect either maybe some smiley face eq happening. I like smiley eq and need it in my car otherwise my Focals sound way too bright and I can't crank them. I still like to buy SACD for the surround content but see no reason to buy CDs with my current setup and all these services. We are living in a golden age for music selection AND quality!

Once again it needs to be said.
All this A/B’ing means nothing, if you’re not listening to the same issue of the album in both a/b’s. Are you listening to the compressed re-issues v the non compressed original release.
Give us which one in your opening before saying anything on which sound better, and chances are you can’t because you can’t get the provenance with anything streamed or downloaded.

EG:
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=the+traveling+wilburys&album=

Remember "If there’s no quite there’s no loud" (dynamic range)
Listen/watch this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ&ab_channel=MattMayfieldMusic

Cheers George