Resolving CD Transports Crowd Sourcing

Let’s be serious, what is the number of albums in HDCD format? And what are the chances the music / artist you like is in that format? Unless you are the type of guy who use the music the listen to the gear. Which is exactly what ASR crowd blames the Audiophiles for doing.

Also:

I am interested hearing your comparisons and contrasts.

You got a lot of recommendations here to build a short lists. I am so sorry to say at this point you have to listen, compare and contrast by yourself. 

@wharfy

The sound quality from TIDAL/Aurender is very, very good. But, CDs played through a terrific transport/DAC combination always sounds better.

Have you heard Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio (1956)?

David,

Thanks for your reply. No doubt that both audio formats call easily coexist seamlessly. I’ll get into audio streaming eventually. I enjoy the Pro-Ject RS2T and Abbas 3.2SE DAC so much I am just thoroughly content for now. I’ll at some time duplicate what you are doing.😊

I have heard Getz-Peterson (Jazz radio) but do not have  any of their recordings (Yet).

Charles

@thyname

You got a lot of recommendations here to build a short lists. I am so sorry to say at this point you have to listen, compare and contrast by yourself.

I think everyone would agree that an in home audition of audio components is the ideal scenario. Not always possible to arrange unfortunately. I have found listening impressions from experienced forum members very valuable over the years.

I try to hear as much as I can in person but you can’t hear everything all of the time. I have been made aware of audio components completely unknown to me via forum participation. I discovered my current Abbas DAC via a thread on WBF. I’m grateful for that exposure.

No auditioning was available. DAC is built by order in Ukraine by a very talented one man operation. I’m so glad I took the chance given the dire situation. The DAC is fabulous!

Charles

@wharfy

The sound quality from TIDAL/Aurender is very, very good. But, CDs played through a terrific transport/DAC combination always sounds better.

Saying CD’s always sounds better is bit of a reach. This may very well be your experience with certain recordings but simply not possible across the board. I have heard and compared recordings on both formats and they both can sound stellar to mediocre. Why? Because of provenance and mastering of a recording. They are the key differentiator between us loving or hating a recording, IMHO. 

My system - Aurender N30SA ➡️ Merging Technologies DAC with external power supply and both DAC and N30SA are synchronized by external Merging +clock. 

The sound quality from TIDAL/Aurender is very, very good. But, CDs played through a terrific transport/DAC combination always sounds better.

I may be wrong but I thought that David was clearly referring to his specific listening experience with his own audio system and not making a general proclamation for all.

Charles