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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.              

kennymacc
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 

I thought old Linda had run out of money...I could be mistaken. Oops. I should have asked her myself but I lost her number.

bluorion
468 posts
 

I still have 100% of my vinyl and about 95% of my CD collection. I sold off a few CDs years ago knowing I would never listen to them again (mostly CD singles). I stream about 95% of the time as well.

I still have a ton of DJ only/promo CDs that I will not part with and still listen to them on my vintage system. These promo CDs will not end up on any streaming services---they're too rare. They're still fun to listen to and they have a lot of good memories to me. And even if they did end up on Spotify, I'd still keep them. Glad you're enjoying your streamer.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

 

Here’s a true example of how musician’s are used and abused by the music biz:

 

In the late-60’s Bill Graham held auditions at The Fillmore Auditorium on Monday nights. Numerous bands played a set, and those chosen were given an opening slot on a regular night. The Fillmore was a union house, so to perform there you had to be in the Musician’s Union.

I knew the guys in one San Jose band who joined the Union just to play the Fillmore audition. They were paid whatever the amount was that Graham was paying, and waited to hear if they would get a regular night gig. They instead heard from the Musician’s Union, who informed the band that all the members were being fined for paying below union scale.

So Graham let the band members know they had to be Union members to play The Fillmore, then paid them less than union scale for doing so, presumably knowing they would then be fined.

 

Another Bill Graham story:

 

When Graham was closing The Fillmore he booked all the San Francisco bands that had played there over the years for a grand finale. Dan Hicks inquired as to whether he would be included, and was told by Bill no, that Dan & His Hot Licks Band did not "assault the senses" of the audience.

 

Speaking of San Francisco bands: Jerry Miller of Moby Grape passed away a few weeks back. I went to a Portland club about a month earlier to see him live, glad I did.

 

 

rbstehno
1,428 posts
 

I’ve been streaming for almost 20 years, using Apple iTunes, amarra, pure music, audirvana, lightning DS, Lumin, and now Roon. 5 years ago when I upgraded my dac that uses i2s and Ethernet, running dsd and MQA, I sold all my vinyl and all my analog gear that cost me $20k, and haven’t regretted it 1 bit. Running pure music and audirvana back in the middle 2000’s, I sold my $3500 Classe cd player. Still have my Sony few thousand $$$ sacd player but haven’t turned it on for over a decade if not longer

irjones
14 posts
 

My last computer died. When trying to have it repaired, I was informed it was not repairable!  I lost so much data, I was close to tears. Now every 3 months I download all new files to my collection of USB's. Which is in a dedicated draw.

Are your music files securely backed up against such a failure?

Or am I living in the past? Or do you believe that the new technology is (perhaps) fail proof? I am close to buying a new SACD player. If it dies, I still have my CD collection. And by the way, I don't have a TT, and never will.

Thanks for reading this, I'm new.  IAN.  

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