@lalitk Thanks there's a lot on that post, probably much more than I need. I was asking for recommendations, not based on favorite music from an artistic slant but rather favorite streaming titles based on quality of sound. I have experienced what others on this post have mentioned, that many files contrast from one another in sound quality despite the file format. I had made the assumption that 24/ 96 files would sound much better than 24/44.1 files but this was not the case. Would I have a different experience if I were to do the same comparisons with other titles, other labels... I'm assuming that I would.
Downloads Versus Streaming
Hi Again,
I’ve been streaming Qobuz through my Bryston Pi to my Ayre QB9 Twenty. Despite being told that streaming quality is every bit as good sounding as my local library on an external SSD, my ears tell me otherwise. Even at higher bit rates and resolutions. Yes, a better streamer and/or tweaks and upgrades would have effective results, at this stage I believe I’m better off with downloads. I’m just wondering what you folks out there have experienced regarding this matter and what you’ve done to make improvements.
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"I had made the assumption that 24/ 96 files would sound much better than 24/44.1 files but this was not the case." Correct! It is not so much about the resolution but the provenance of that recording's original master. I have heard files in 16bit/44.1lHz that sounds simply amazing. For example, Shirley Horn's "Beautiful Love" or "If You Go" in 16bit/441kHz on Qobuz sounds stunning in my system. You can take look at my "Digital" system (under my username) to see the steps I've taken to ensure optimal streaming quality vs downloads. The devils is in the details :-) |
@lalitk I come to find out also that many titles, even on major labels, are being hyper compressed. That would certainly negate any benefit from higher resolutions. |
- 65 posts total