I have tried streaming Tidal from my MacBook or iPhone into my Chord DAC, but it is not as good as cds. The missing link is something like a Zen streamer
Yeah, I totally get what you’re saying. I started streaming with my iPhone and upgraded USB dongle from LavriCables to my DAC with Qobuz and was very disappointed that CDs sounded markedly better. Then I added the Zen Stream (with their iPowerX power supply) and BAM — streaming was instantly as good or better than CDs and I was happy happy (sorry for the multiple Emeril references). Just my experience FWIW.