Streaming vs Physical Media


I have a decent digital front end with a Lumin U1 Mini (w/ external power supply) and a Border Patrol SE dac.  Have some CDs, but no transport.  Would a CD transport sound better than a streamer of similar quality/price?  

mdonda

At first, I was one of the biggest sceptics of  streaming music.  I was  totally convinced that the steaming SQ was inferior to that of an high end cd player.  But, during the course of time, after many positive listening session with streamed music at Audio Dealers, Audio Shows and fellow Audiophiles homes, I decided to give streaming a shot in my own home high end rig.  Long story short, I was able to achieve cd and beyond SQ from my system only after being willing to purchase a reference level DAC, ethernet cables, switch, tweaks, Roon Nucleus Plus and all associated equipment.  No more cd's or vinyl for this guy!!!    

What can I say? I'm truly in love with streaming, this despite my wall of records and six foot tall rack of CDs.  SQ competes with and often surpasses my vinyl. Selection is vast. Idagio and Qobuz use their evil algorithms to suss out my tastes and offer up endless enlightenment and pleasure. It's liberating. It's like encountering a fine wine steward at a restaurant. Sure, the true obscurities in my 45's and LP collections will probably never be offered up by the streamers but that's okay. The streaming sites offer plenty of obscurities of their own. Idagio's Women in Music section, for example, regularly rewards me with absolutely first class listening moments.

@edcyn

Yep… that is the compelling case for streaming. I like spinning vinyl occasionally, but it is like riding a horse… it is great for the experience, but sure isn’t efficient, comfortable and the highest quality ride.

@edcyn 

Congratulations on your success and happiness with your streaming set up. What combination of server/streamer and DAC are you using currently?

Charles

@charles1dad  -- I use a relatively inexpensive Cambridge CXN that the phone voice at Upscale Audio recommended. My Mytek Brooklyn Bridge had just bit the dust, and I just couldn't hack listening via my Laptop PC. The Cambridge is connected via Earthlink sourced from my telephone company. In other words, nothing fancy. In any case, the Mytek might have given me a bit more image solidity and 3D, but the Cambridge is still quite 3D and its tone quality is more natural than I got via the Mytek. The Cambridge also runs considerably cooler, which makes me believe it might actually last longer than that damnable, fussy Mytek did. BTW, I'm mostly a classical guy. I play the violin...which makes me believe I know string tone.