Streaming vs Physical Media

“ I believe the manufacturers should be able to do this better if it’s part of the design of their server/streamer”

@tomcy6

I couldn’t agree with you anymore. I have a long ‘wishlist’ of things that manufacturers should be addressing with their components. I’m not expecting components built with price considerations to have all the bells and whistles but like anyone else, have high expectations from components that command top dollars. I guess that’s what makes this hobby so much fun that we get to try and tweak the sound of our systems to one’s own likings.

I don’t think there is a ‘audio’ purposed router available yet (wouldn’t that be something) but market is now flooded with Ethernet switches and USB re-clockers designed for streaming audio.

Seems we are onto something here. I wish these external boxes, filters, reclockers, switches, LPS’s etc.. we’re not needed. For the money we pay for our high end servers one would think these external boxes would not bring so much sound quality improvement. However, they do.

The Network Acoustics passive Muon ethernet filter certainly improves the engagement factor of my system by reducing noise. I can only imagine how wonderful the JCAT product is.

Just to add balance, there are many network knowledgeable people who do not believe there is an "inherent noise" associated with streaming. Keep in mind these types of beliefs sell products, just like dietary supplements and copper bracelets.

Not saying none of it has any effect. But caveat emptor just like everything else. Audiogon isn’t immune to mythology.

"Mythology" ? There are always differing opinions and experiences especially with regard to High End audio. It appears to me reading comments from very credible and experienced members on this forum and say WBF that these additional  parts/accessories used in streaming are in fact beneficial and improve sound quality.

I suppose it is easy for some to write this off as "mythology" expectation bias, delusion and all the usual fallback dismissive/mocking terms for those who do hear results with these products.

What makes those who claim streaming signal noise is not a problem (Non existent) and the noise addressing products (Switches/filters/cables etc.) aren’t necessary anymore credit with their contentions?

Charles

I have both an Audiolab 6000CDT and a Sonore ultraDigital/opticalRendu streaming stack connected to the same DAC.  The transport is coax connected and the streamer i2s

The transport was $500 and the streaming kit approx 2k

If the file formats are the same, the playback is very close in SQ

Most of my CDs are 16 bit/44.1kHz

Tidal and Qobuz offer many additional file formats with less compression and higher bit rates, up to  24-bit/192kHz

For example, when playing the same song at 16 bit/44.1kHz from the transport and streaming it at 24-bit/192kHz, it's not even close - I'll stream the high bit rate file every time

That tells me the question is less about CDs, transports and streaming and more about file formats

Thus IMO the beauty of the streaming services is all of their remastered material in file formats that exceed 16bit/44.1kHz

Secondarily I do not have to repurchase my favorite CDs at the higher bit rate, if they were available, it comes with the streaming service

If in the future an old CD is remastered, again you don't have to go buy it.  It's just added to the streaming library and you'll see it the next time you search for that song or album

If a new and improved format is adopted, you'll be able to stream it without any additional cost, where in the case of the transport you may need a new one that's capable of playback in the new format

What I do not see as a streaming option is SACD or DSD file formats

Which again takes be back to the differences in file formats, not the difference in transport vs streaming

Lastly the convenience of streaming better suits my lazy nature

The amount of music and the number of artists I can enjoy in an hour streaming, far exceeds what I can accomplish in an hour searching for and swapping out CDs  

Happy listening and enjoy the journey