2. analog
  3. 175229-135127

The problem with streaming

As I sit here listening to America Includes: "A Horse With No Name", I realized the problem with streaming. Who knows what source material you're getting with streaming? The album I'm listening to is a Warners Brothers green label. Sonics are absolutely incredible! The band sounds like they're in the room! 

Navigating the pressings to find the best one can be challenging but that's part of the fun of the hobby. I doubt the same care is taken when generating streaming recordings. You're stuck with what they use, thus missing the incredible texture of the best recordings.

Of course, great care must be taken to set up the turntable and match all components downstream. I find the effort to be well worth it! There's just no substitute for great analog!

vuch
fleschler
2,046 posts
 

As of last week, I have two close friends who are using dedicated Dell laptops as servers (Linux) with high end/quality DACs with high end/quality USB connection.  The media are CDs of theirs (about 3,000+ each of them) downloading them to thumbdrives using EAC.   The sound is spectacular and they retain ownership of the media and accompanying booklets.   They (and I) am not interested in streaming most of my music.  I've already stated why previously.   If it weren't for the time loss and complicated filing of 7,000+ CDs that I have, I would join them.   Plus, I have organized drawer filing for CDs (and 28,000 LPs).

vuch's avatar
vuch OP
172 posts
 

After reading all of the comments on this thread, I decided to dive into the streaming world. I bought an Audio Quest Dragonfly Cobalt with a nice cord and I'm using my laptop with Qobuz and Audirvana.

I have to say that I'm blown away with the sonics while streaming! About 70% of what I play sounds better than my vinyl. Not a ton better but there's a noticeable improvement.

I still love my vinyl. The 30% of my vinyl that sounds better than what I've been able to find streaming gives me a sense of pride. I'll be upgrading my cartridge next to try and improve my analog setup. Streaming doesn't give me the joy of playing, holding and looking at the special pressings of my albums.

Someday I'll buy a real DAC and I know the sonics will improve even more. 

 

sns
4,081 posts
 

Good for you, and yes, the sonics will continue to improve as you improve your streaming setup. Sound quality potential with streaming will amaze!

ghdprentice
8,172 posts
 

OP,

 

Congratulations. Once you get a taste, it is easy to start realizing the possibilities. I used laptops and PCs for a long time… my moment was when I bought my first stand alone streamer (Aurlic Aries G2).

It only gets better from where you are. There are DACs of better quality and nearly any stand alone streamer can provide better sound than a laptop. It opens a whole new world.

More to discover