Why Streaming Service Sounds ‘Flat’ vs Tune In /Local FM /Radio Paradise

Only ever listen to RP in the truck, but it is better than any other service I stream in the truck. 

The primary issue is your streamer. Better streamers sound better up to the point your DAC or some other part of your system gets in the way.

On my systems CDs sound the same as Qobuz streaming of the same resolution. Streaming can sound better since Qobuz has over half a million high res albums, streaming can sound better on those. Also, in general, different channels, like paradise sound the same as other channels (I do not listen to other channels a lot… but when I have explored, I noticed no difference).

I recommend, as a starting point, to have best of class components at the same investment level across your system. For me, mine are like that with the streamer and amp about 20% above the component cost of the DAC, preamp, and phonostage.

@ghdprentice 

+1 … nailed it. The budget class streamer is the clear weak link 

Sources such as Radio Paradise and FM stations are compressed and go through signal processing to various degrees. Many listeners prefer that.

This doesn't make sense.  I had a bluesound node and used both tidal and qobuz and they sounded better than radio and in fact better than CD when the CDs were played on a tradional player.  Had to switch to a CD transport.  then I oculdn't really tell the difference between CD and streaming on that rig.

Jerry