Downloads Versus Streaming

lots of variables here

but there is no reason for streamed music to sound worse than files that are downloaded, all else being equal

but all else is never equal...

personally, i have worked hard, learned alot, and implemented a very high quality streamed music front end... it is every bit as good sonically as cd’s played on my cdp (which is also of top quality, one could say that they may sound a little different -- but not clearly better or worse... this due primarily to the output stage differences of the my cdp’s and my dac that plays streamed music)

@jjss49 Will you tell us what you did to reach this level of streaming quality?

There's been mention regarding certain files on Qobuz that equal or surpass files stored on a hard drive. I'd be interested in knowing which files those are. What streaming titles are your favorites? Thank you again to all those who've shared.

@ghdprentice That's a good point, the differences will be greater on a more revealing system for sure. At the end of the day, for me, streaming is so close if not equal or in some cases better that it's what I'll stick with 99% of the time.

Choosing what you'll listen to the most is what matters most in my opinion.