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

Just saw Erik’s post after mine- no, I listen at various levels, and rarely very low. Average 75db, and into the 90’s at times. I’ll mention ‘The Jazz Groove’ as one of the Tune In stations that sounds quite good. 
My 900.00 Pro-Ject turntable combo with Ortofon 2M Bronze also sounds superior.

I would recommend any Aurrender streamer. If you can’t afford a new one, get a used one. I have tried them at every level and own a N100 and their flagship W20SE now. I have also tried a number in between the $3K and $22K range… each significant jump in cost results in better sound. 

As others have mentioned, the Node is a mismatch in your system and a bottleneck to your streaming performance so no wonder you’re underwhelmed.  I’d recommend looking at Innuos because they’re great streamers and their Sense app gets very high marks for both sonics and for being very user friendly, which is apparently important in your situation.  I’d also check to see which digital input on Esoteric might be preferred between SPDIF and USB as some DACs are set up to work better on certain inputs.  Hope this helps, and best of luck.

From my perspective it’s the compression. I rarely listen to RP but prefer it to Sirius which sounds worst. On the other hand some channels like Naim Jazz/Classical sound really good. There are occasions when things go in the direction of those crappy podcasts. Not sure how to fix that with a change in gear when it’s likely the channel that is at the root of the problem.

Streaming of FM stations to me sounds awful, every station I have heard.

I listen to KCRW.com on the FM airways and the DJ’s are into sound quality. They will bring in LPs because they say it sounds better.

This station on my 3 tuners blows away the same stream on internet and also the HD radio stream over the air (the worst of the 3).

My streamers are excellent fibre optic based.