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

You also won't need a linear power supply and expensive cabling connecting power to the streamer as the Innuos Pulse incorporates a toroidal transformer built-in along with appropriate damping and separation. The Pulse integrates medical grade IEC along with it's newly upgraded linear power supply found in more expensive models. It was the inclusion of this intensely designed and integrated linear PSU at this price point that has drawn many to the Pulse. This is true for those who believe that clean power plays a big part in a server/streamer’s playback capability.

The Node might be a limiting factor.  It certainly is more downmarket than the rest of the OP system.  However I can’t figure out why Internet Radio would sound better than the 2 high resolution streaming services.  I had the Node for a while and while the Internet Radio quality was good it was clearly bested by Qobuz.

  OP I would recommend trying a better streamer but make sure you do a home trial first

@mwinkc 

An iPhone connecting with a car Bluetooth or is a streamer.  Streamers are networking computers that can play music obtained from the internet (and other sources) and play them through an audio system.

Use my 'droid to stream in the car, the SUV, even the dually.....local FM is 'meh.  Since time behind wheel varies 5 min. > 5 hr., don't need distracts....

I know for a fact that for every $1000 you spend over what you previously spent on a particular component, the sound quality increases 10K based on the unquantifiable fact that your system must assuredly sound better if you keep spending more and more money on it. In fact, I change out my cables every six months as once the newness factor wears out on the cables, the "clarity and accuracy" isn’t there anymore. I am 1000% convinced of this because otherwise, I would have to admit I’m wasting money.

As for my DAC and Streamer, I update those once a year because I can’t trust the hardware to accurately reproduce the song that is being sent over 1000s of miles via various hardware and network switches. Plus, Quboz, Tidal, and Spotify wouldn’t tell us something different than what they can actually deliver.

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Joking aside...

I have a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 and streaming Radio Paradise, local radio stations, and use the onboard DAC when playing CDs, I find the quality is better (cleaner and a tad brighter) than what I get through my Marantz stereo receiver which has a decent DAC for the $. But the cost difference between the two is not 1000s of dollars. And yet...Spotify sounds better through the Marantz than the CA...go figure.

My local stations SQ varies depending on the music being played. Rare vinyl cuts of cajun swamp pop will sound very different than the Classical station using DDD CD sources. No streamer can fix the source.