CD transport vs.streaming

@larryi Your experience between the two servers not surprising. Hearing a single or multiple streaming setups doesn't give one much insight into how another streaming setup may sound.

Streaming setups are at least as unique as vinyl setups, probably more. There are so many options available, optimizing any particular setup requires much effort.

I think hshifi has it right. 
Both sources are going through my Benchmark DAC. 

This may be the determining factor.

I have never heard of IMHO and IME?

I purchased a power cord for my BlueSound Node 2i and I think it sounds better.  I also purchased a high end digital cable to connect to my ARCAM AVR550.  The cable company told me using a digital cable would improve sound quality. Still not sure.  I really didn't want to give up MQA.  However, I was told the digital cable would still transfer hi-res files.  Many think MQA is a marketing tool TIDAL uses to lock people into MQA.  The Harmon ret came to my house and demonstrated Qobuz and It was very noticeable the sound quality of Qobuz was better.  However, their library is smaller.   I still wonder if these additions really make a sound difference.  However, looking at the $5 power cords that come with electronics just the gage and shielding must make some noise difference.  I added a $700 power cable to my ARCAM AVR550 and the first thing I noticed was I had to turn down the volume to obtain the same volume as previously using their $5 to $8 power cord that is provided by the factory.  I would think not needing as much volume must possibly reduce distortion.

IMHO the last two aren't the same quality, and without knowing the details about the streamed masters, it's hard to even know if you're comparing apples/apples. 

IME, on locally streamed rips vs. the same CDs, the files always sounded better. Ripped SACDs vs. the same SACD, same result, the files win. YMMV.  Cheers,

Spencer

The best set up is a stand alone dac, cd transport and streamer. It will all sound great and I agree with @ghdprentice in that you’re “set for life” and I’m 61. 

@sms

 Streaming setups are at least as unique as vinyl setups, probably more. There are so many options available, optimizing any particular setup requires much effort

This is a good analogy. Multiple set- up options, ethernet, fiber optic, wireless/Spdif,AES,USB connections. Switches, networks, optional LPS etc.

Then consider the music server itself,  Windows or Linux based OS. Number or type of processing cores. On and on it goes. Every bit as many decisions and options as constructing an analogue turntable system (Plinth/Tonearm/cartridge/phono stage/phono cable etc.). 

Even amongst the excellent tier music servers there are clear sonic distinctions,

Antipodes K-50 vs GrimmMU1 vs 432 EVO Master vs Innuos Statement and so on. No doubt that assembling a streaming music server chain is explicitly unique and specific. 

Charles