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A different world

For decades I have struggled to get digital even close to comparable to analog. Then finally a couple years ago after lots of upgrading and experimentation I succeeded. Streaming is equally satisfying with analog, very, very comparable. The full soundstage, instruments suspended in space, tonal balance, dead silent background, and details of brass cymbals … etc. Red Book CDs through my CD player are bested by my streamer with Qobuz or Tidal with hi-Rez versions.

 

A new world. It takes a while to get it. No longer confined to music you “own” to play over and over. Replay is supplanted by exploration. You love an new (or old album) and hit, “add to library”. It is yours.

So, HiFi+ magazine has an article on building a European 21st Century Jazz Library. I just start with the first album in the list and listen (add to library), the 2nd album (add to library), the third… the forth, fifth… a whole new category of incredible music to sit along side Miles Davis and Hank Moberly. Just a couple days in the life of a audiophile streamer. I could have never predicted this as a possibility ten years ago.

 

You love music? The goal of having an infinite audiophile library is now possible. It is possible at any high end level… just requires knowledge that it can be done… and I guess give up the idea that there is something special about your CD collection, or players.

 

I have a 2,000 vinyl albums, play them, usually one a day. They are fun, occasionally sound ever slightly better… but not significantly, I like them for nostalgic reasons.

ghdprentice
terra3
60 posts
 

Which format better . . . . meh . . . . . which recording better . . . we're getting closer to what matters.

 

But streaming through these services today 'is' THE REAL DEAL.  With ever decreasing exceptions, the history of music of the past several centuries and more available for listening in fairly good to excellent resolutions and quality.

 

I'll be honest:  I wondered what the buzz was about over the last few years, until the most obvious part of it hit me.  Think of an artist . . think of a recording . . . . and in most cases by far, there it is for you in several seconds.

 

femoore12's avatar
femoore12
683 posts
 

I added Roon to my system last year along with Qobuz and Tidal. I am completely hooked. I love buying and playing albums, but the streaming services are really outstanding. I am finding new music and I love being able to play music non-stop all day long. I was planning on getting a new CD player, but now that plan is on hold. All my CDs are ripped and I let Roon handle the playback. I’m not certain if I will even get a new CD player now. It seems like a waste of money to play a disc if my ripped discs and streaming sound just as good. I’d rather spend that money I had budgeted for the CD player on new vinyl.

georgeab
95 posts
 

Totally agree. It is a good time to be a music lover and audiophile. I am all in with Roon and Qobuz. I have also found even with similar redbook resolution Qobuz has the goods of a better remaster than what is in my library. Nick Cave's Masterpiece 1997's The Boatman's Call is just one example.   

maxlove1
21 posts
 

Nearly the identical experience.  Much larger world of music though it is still fun to hold the CD or record in your hand, get off on the artwork, read the liner notes.  Does vinyl and CD (played on an Ayon) sound a bit better? Yes.  Does it detract from having an infinite amount of music to hear?  No.  And streaming DACs will only get better.

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,416 posts
 

Through my experiences, the following always applies:

- Analog recordings never sound better on digital systems than analog rigs.

rigs.

- Digital recordings always sound better on digital systems than on analog rigs.

Somebody said that in other words on this site a while back and after testing many examples of it I couldn't agree more. 

Try it for yourself.

 

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