I find CDs generally poorly recorded, clipped and way over compressed. I have over a thousand of them and just don’t like the sound.
If I had the same experience, I wouldn't bother with CDs either. It's not my experience, though.
I Sold my CD Player!!! Streaming sounds so incredible!!!
Several years ago, was the very first time I had the opportunity to hear a very high end, high quality, streaming audio system. Once I heard it, I was smitten, and I knew right then and there that this was me all the way!!! I was absolutely blown away by the handy convenience of the little iPad (or cell phone) used as remotes to control the otherworldly access to a virtual ocean of music via Tidal, Qobuz or downloads. I immediately recognized this new technology as the future of my own audio system, especially with all the new hi rez stuff out there that was now made available. I gave up vinyl when CD came on the scene (yes, I'm an old guy), and, now, perhaps, it would be finally time to retire my beloved CD player. Long story short: What put my streaming audio system over the top, as far as sound quality is concerned, was the assemblage of these core streaming devices-----( #1) A superb DAC, by Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty streaming DAC (#2) An outstanding music server, by Roon Nucleus Plus (#3) An outstanding Audio Switch, by Pakedge Devices (#4) Excellent Ethernet Cables, by Shunyata Sigma. I also utilize numerous other tweaks and filters that further purify the streaming audio signal within my room and audio system. At this juncture in life, I am just mesmerized by the combination of sound quality and convenience that I get through my streaming audio system. I'm also happy and pleased to report that, I don't miss my old beloved CD player one bit. Happy listening.
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Related story: The other day I visited my local hifi shop as I often do when passing by. I was able to connect my iPhone to their network and stream any of “my” music on any of the systems they had set up, At least several dozen different choices there including their reference system running top of the line Mac amplification and Sonus Faber Cremonese ( I think) speakers. I used Roon Arc to connect remotely to my Roon server at home and streamed to the vendor’s systems using airplay. Welcome to hifi in the 21st century, year 2024. With that experience fresh in my mind, I was able to come home and tweak my sound just a tad for the better streaming the same tracks as at the store and using Roon and it’s built-in DSP and a few minor placement adjustments. My recommendation is to do anything possible to keep up with what modern technology has to offer and avoid merely living in the past and only doing the same things done 40 years ago on the quest for good sound. Happy listening! |
@classicrockfan High end audio is all about musical listening pleasure, so there’s no such thing as a "bad investment." This is fun stuff and should not to be taken so seriously. If whatever audio item you purchase, cables, amps, speakers, etc., regardless of cost, brings you that much closer to audio nirvana, then the purchase was worth every penny, and more. Happy listening |
I think a lot has to do with the source of the recording. When it was mastered , who mastered it…. Etc. There are many copies of the “same” album when you search. Some are phenomenal, some are pretty bad. I have a lot of CDs that were AAD recordings and they don’t have compression like many recording today. Some sound really good . I love streaming , don’t get me wrong , it totally changed the was I consume new music. But I like the ritual of CDs and records. |
Just imagine if you go up to the next level say $12k+ on digital This is roughly the sweet spot in price thsts a Big jump up in sound quality one thing not mentioned much ,your network switch using a upgraded power cord and from your Router- modem get rid of all wall warts from router or anywhere else they are $5 and just add to the noise floor ,on your router it tells the voltage ,modt are about 12v around 4 amps . I use the Linear Tube Audio LPS it can be bought for $50 off on Audiogon for $700. the best under $1200 LPS I have found and has a very well made DC cable to the router ,I use this with a decent Pangea sig mk2 Thst is plenty good for That this makes a nice increase in fidelity ,for digital streaming is not grounded and noise travels house to house a LPS at your router eliminate the noise from the start pin the audio chain. |
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