2. amps-preamps
  3. 182613-14281

streaming and audiophile stereo

I have heard it said that an audio system is only as good as its weakest link. I want to complete a system that will give me access to lots of music by Tidal and Roon, and I want the music played through some true audiophile components.  I am used to tube preamps, and will probably go that way again, though ss remains a possibility.  The speakers I intend to use are very efficient - 20 watts of amplification would be ample.  Here's my question:  in such a system, how important, and how variable, are the audio qualities of the digital source component - the streamer - at the front end?  If it does MQA does that alone mean it is the highest quality audio possible at this end of the system?  Or do some that accommodate MQA provide better sound than others that also accommodate MQA?  I see lots of reviews of features of these components, but not much about their individual sonic qualities.  Leaving aside features and convenience, are some better sounding than others and would this depend entirely on the DAC used?

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nevada_matt
155 posts
 

The only thing I can come up with is that tidal is actually using more bandwidth than qobuz.

There is no other reason that qobuz could play 24/96 while rarely dropping out compared to the dropping out 4-5 times in the middle of a track like tidal does..

maybe t-mobile hates tidal and not qobuz?

Except it happens on Starlink and the local wireless isp also..

Although I do subjectively “hear” tidal as sounding better, full unfold with dac, when it works, than normal “hires” (ie 24/96) qobuz, I am about ready to cancel tidal since I cannot get through an entire track without 4-5, 10-45 second “breaks” in the track.

I have sent tidal support emails, but not heard anything back yet.

PS.. I purchased a t-mobile 5g hotspot device and a separate 100gb/month service SOLELY for audio streaming as the other two were dropping tidal.  Nothing else is on that t-mobile 5g network.  Still drops..

 

philosurfer
24 posts
 

@bill_peloquin I do not want to get a streamer with a DAC. I have a great one now. No need to pay for another DAC.

I’m with you, there. I’d long ignored streaming, for the most part (had an original Bluesound node but rarely used a streaming service; I used it for in-house streaming from a NAS). I got the latest Node and was disappointed, so I decided to look for a standalone (i.e. nothing but) streamer.

(note: I was in the process of trialing Tidal and Qobuz, and also didn’t like the BlueOS interface on my PC)

I found the Ifi Zen Stream (https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-stream/) and haven’t considered anything else since. My goal was a streamer that worked well with Roon and Qobuz, and I’ve had no issues with it. I want to minimize any artifacts/colorizations in streamer and DAC, and this feels like it’s working.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,902 posts
 

I have a decent digital front end yet I just purchased a new turntable.... ???

I love my Aurender N200 , it was one of my best audio purchases ever   it sounds great with my LAB 12 DAC.   

As Jason Bourne mentioned , it's the provenance of the digital files that I question with Qobuz and Tidal.   I have both right now, and one thing is for sure, not all tracks sound the same.  Whether it is the fact you are listening to the "original" , a copy , or something somewhere in  between, who knows?

I'm comparing the two platforms and it's tough.  In general I think Qobuz sounds better. although  I like the Live exclusive music content Tidal offers.   I'm going to wait until my new preamp arrives before I decide which to keep.  It will probably be Qobuz.   

 

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