Downloads Versus Streaming

A great streamer isolates, buffers, and translates the incoming signal. It sounds like it is not doing a good job on the streaming side. It sounds like you may be able to make up for that by doing things with your network. Or, as I mentioned, upgrade your streamer. It would not surprise me if an Ethergen would help… but my feeling it would just help a little. But the only way to know is to try it.

I suspect that all streaming services, even High Resolution ones, need to do some compression in the route from their servers to your listening room.  CDs and downloads sound best in my system but Qobuz isn’t that far off

I do not believe there is any compression at all from Qubuz or Tidal for that matter. By todays standards the bitstream for music is minuscule. My streamer worked seamlessly while I can’t refresh my   News page on my iPad. Since high Rez from my streamer matches or exceeds CD and vinyl on my system it makes me pretty confident in believing this.

Local tracks usually sound slightly better than streaming. Not a big deal. I have acquired < 40K curated without downloading except for a few freebies.

I agree with @ghdprentice on zero compression from Qobuz or Tidal. The differences one hears between recordings stored on hard drive and the one being streamed is possibly from having a different analog master. There are plenty of recordings that sounds stupendously sublime on Qobuz. Just like Vinyl, there is some care involved in setting up a digital streaming system. Once you do, you’re in for a treat!