I have to give a slight edge to modern CD's over streaming CD quality files. 24/96 is usually a step up, and anything higher rez is overdone, IMO. Most of my older CD's [pre 2000] are OK in the car, but a no-go in my system.
What am I missing?
When discussing streaming we often hear the quality achieved by streaming compared to "cd quality". "Cd quality" seems often to be the standard by which streaming is favorably compared while cds have at the same widely fallen into disfavor as a medium. If "cd quality" continues to be a quality standard by which we judge streaming services -which it appears to be- why exactly do we hold cds in such disfavor? More sophisticated dacs can always be employed with cd transports as they are with streaming. I understand the convenience and storage issues with cds but I also understand that with streaming you will never own the music which you do with cds. This becomes even more unclear to me when considering the resurgence of vinyl and the storage and convenience issues involved with this medium. I don't believe the music industry ever wanted us to own the music we listen to but rather preferred we only rent and pay for that music each time.
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For those who feel the need to own the music vs renting/leasing whatever you want to call it. I already own far more physical media than I can play, I derive virtually no value from physical media I no longer play due to new listening preferences, tons of my vinyl and all cd's in storage with difficult access to. Since my listening preferences constantly changing and evolving, at least some music becomes obsolete, don't need or want more obsolete possessions, already far too much of that.
The other thing I love with streaming is the ability to access my music via smartphone at workplace and in car. Long trips made far more pleasurable with this. |
The problem with streaming is that the particular mastering of a particular recording may not be the best, and there seems to be no attempt by the various services to seek out the best mastering. Even high resolution masters can be crappy versions. While it is true that many CDs being offered these days are truly crappy, one can, if so inclined, seek out better versions to purchase. |
@larryi That may be true in some cases, but for artists with larger catalogs there are generally many versions of same recording to choose from. Very rare case when I can't find at least decent sound quality from one of the available versions. I do have both Tidal and Qobuz. Also, both Tidal and Qobuz constantly adding to titles available.
With most newer or more obscure artists multiple masters not available either via physical or streaming media. |
This really isn't about what's better. It's about 'experience'. This is why LPs are still around. This is why my mixed tapes, CDs,tubes and reel-to-reel are still around. People want the experience. If it's streaming...great. If it's ownership...also great. Streaming popularity will drop the price of LPs and CDs and that's a good thing too. Some people actually like ownership. This will happen to real estate. Why own a single property when you can subscribe to many more. To each her own.
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