CD transport vs.streaming


Many have stated on this forum that the SQ from their CDs is superior to the sound from streaming sources. Others have said the opposite. Weirdly, in side by side identical tracks the sound from my Cyrus CDt sounds identical to my Cambridge CXN v2 streamer. I wonder if anyone else has this experience.

128x128rvpiano

Being blissfully unaware of the complications I just set up my streamer to my DAC and have great sound that rivals my CDs.

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I would go out on a limb and assert, DACs aside, there is huge variation in performance with various CD players whereas it can be hard to discern any clear differences between most any streamer. Even a <$100 Roku stick does a pretty good job with CD quality sound these days. Old error prone technology versus newer with much better error handling and prevention built in.   Modern Jitter resistant DACS help close the gap.

Having owned Aurlic Aries G2, Aurender N100, auditioned an Aurender N10, and now  Aurender W20SE, as well as using PCs, Macs… and other devices, the differences in sound quality among these is huge. Maybe, it doesn’t sound logical, but they are just like other parts of the audio chain.

Allow an observation pleze.

At least one professional seems to think that CD’s and lossless streaming sound similar enough, as do I.

The co-founder of an audiophile record label and an online Redbook plus file sales site pulled all of his stuff from Tidal and Qobuz while leaving the mp3’s on Spotify because he doesn’t want to hurt sales:

David Chesky.

Yes the CD blows Spotify away.

On $135 worth of RC Chinese amplification.