The problem with streaming

I was into high end vinyl for many years. What I found and what I still believe to be true is that to get the best of what analog can give you it takes an incredible ongoing commitment of serious $$$ to set up and a lot of effort trying to keep every album in top condition. Along with that is the physical space it requires for not only the turntable setup, but a record cleaning machine (if you're really dedicated), storage for albums, consideration for temperature and humidity and on and on to some place in infinity.

I have taken the streaming plunge and am having more fun with the hobby than at any time in recent memory. Not only that, but with the amazing results I'm getting without having to 'sell the farm', causes me to start to question just what it is that's keeping audiophiles going on the analog front. I honestly don't think it's a quality difference anymore. It may be some perception that's mutually reinforced by others blindly following the same path.

I mean just check out what the album selection is versus what's at your fingertips on TIDAL or any of the other Hi-Rez services. 

But if you must keep the album around for that one or two songs that you have to go to great lengths to hear and degrades each time you play it...then Carry On my Wayward Son, but there may not be too much peace when you are done.

I could be sarcastic and say the problem with streaming is streaming.

But I won't.

 

Dear reubent,  I love that Rickie Lee Jones album. One of my favorites and the album does sound better and is more enjoyable than streaming. 

Qobuz and Tidal catalogs often include many album versions. When I stream with Roon as my interface it’s easy to tap the “version” icon and select from the available choices. You have to look elsewhere to see which versions were the best. The data in Roon doesn’t go that far. But there is so much more music when you stream. I find new, good, music daily. 

Pop-hiss-pop-hiss, yup better sound quality with vinyl….not.