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CD Alternative

At present I have around 1200 CD's which are played on a Cal Audio/Benchmark DAC 1.  I am looking for some guidance regarding the potential use of high res streaming or ripping and having a server.  I have no idea which option/equipment to pursue or if there is another option to consider.  This all started when I recently went to audition speakers with a few CD's but discovered this was the old fashioned way and instead used a "Roon Streamer" I think.   Secondly the Cal Audio is about 25+ years old and the DAC 1 is 16 yrs old.  Thanks in advance for your responses as I am absolutely confused with the digital path to take. 
xagwell
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georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

xagwell OP



jasonbourne52
The streaming listener has no way of knowing the provenance of a particular recording. Many from the streaming services have been remastered - altered - from the originals. More compression, boosted bass ... if this doesn’t bother you, then go ahead and stream away!
Jason is correct here, just look how compressed the later release’s are which are usually the streamed and downloaded ones.

Just rip all your cd’s at no more than 4 x speed to a HD and then store them away.
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list/year?artist=Traveling+Wilburys

Or do as I do, just keep playing your CD’s, and get the the releases that have the least compression from the Dynamic Range website I just linked to above.
Cheers George
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,073 posts
 
xagwell
Another +vote for keep playing your CDs. Possibly on a newer/recent CD player.

Happy Listening!
mahler123
3,465 posts
 
OP

if you want to continue to play your CDs, and you are trying to decide between a new CD player and a streamer, then don’t get a streamer.  If you don’t want to rip your CDs, and are content to listen to the same CDs as streamed over the Internet, get a streamer.  At the risk of overstating the obvious, you won’t be able to buy a shiny new streamer AND listen to your CDs without having a way to get the CDs read with some sort of disc spinner 
xagwell OP
135 posts
 
Some great responses/suggestions!  I have stayed with the Cal Audio/BenchMark combo because it is a carousel and of course is convenient and sounds great.  It was also in a hard wired  6 zone "whole house" system which allowed me to play it from anywhere.  This was long before streaming.  I since replaced the hard-wire with Sonos but that is not hi res.  The CD player is part of my two channel system in my designated music room.  I listen to vinyl 95% of the time which also made it easy to age my digital source combine that with golf season when I barely listen to anything!  I no longer need a carousel and would consider a player upgrade and/or employing someone to rip my collection and get a server as well.  I was always impressed with the Esoteric line of players but don't know how current that product is.  I know nothing about servers though. 
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