Did you notice....

@anotherbob 

To my knowledge, the 'certain sound quality' of an original CD is red book conform. Red book covers 'everything' a human being can hear.

I notice that a well mastered/recorded CD sounds very, very good to my ears using my Myryad MXC 6000, analog into the Vincent SV500 amp.

So, from my side: Yes to the OP's question

I am 61 and my hearing is 'standard quality' for this age. Younger chaps might hear better.

Best regards, eagledriver

Are you streaming WI-Fi or ethernet connected?  Are you using Toslink connection or digital coax?  These are BIG differences to your sound quality. I have tried things both ways.  Also, even Qobuz has its ups and downs.  Lots of music sounds phenomenal, and some of it is poor.

@czarivey 

What you describe is likely an accurate depiction of your experience in your system. 

An average cd player likely outperforms a sub-optimally implemented streaming setup. The cd player is plug and play and the designer made his or her decisions and then sealed the box. You made the technical and qualitative decisions in your streaming system: software, cables, power, ethernet delivery, file/source selection etc, etc.

No offense intended but if your Carver cd player is outperforming your streaming setup, even a modest streaming setup, then you might consider revisiting your decisions on the streaming side of the equation. Many here have enough experience streaming that your original premise is fatally flawed.

Just listened to JJ Cale Guitar man both on my CD player and streamer, same resolution, using remotes. If anything, the streamer is a bit bigger wider sound and even a tat clearer. You can check my setups on my system. Bottom line the OP is definitely suffering an illusion which is directly related to the qualities of his system and listening environment.

This is not a rhetorical question:

Is format-switching or ad hoc oversampling ever a good thing? 

(I honestly don't know) 

herb