2. digital
  3. 147638-123258

Is there a difference in sound quality when streaming TIDAL Vs CD player

I hard wired my modem located in my family room using Cad6 cable to my Apple TV and direct wired my Apple TV to my ARCAM AVR550.  I have an OPPO 203 connected by both an RCA cable and by HDMI to my ARCAM.  

The dealer I purchased my ARCAM from told me to play my CD’s through my RCA connection and to watch DVD’s through HDMI.  If I listen to CD’s through the RCA, aren’t I using the DAC on the OPPO player rather than the DAC on my ARCAM and wouldn’t the DAC on my ARCAM be a better DAC.  My friend told me I should use a digital cable rather than an RCA to improve sound quality to utilize the DAC on my ARCAM?  If this is the case, wouldn’t the HDMI be the same as by using a specific digital cable?  I listened to my CD’s through the RCA Vs the RCA cable and I thought it sounded better through my HDMI cable.

i will be looking forward to your responses.

Thank you,
128x128larry5729
junzhang10
252 posts
 
When you stream Tidal, you have to choose setting to fixed or variable signal and computer decode or DAC direct. I would do fixed and external DAC decode (assume you have a good DAC and pre-amp). I like Oppo 105D Tidal app. It allows me to browse Tidal using iPad. skip cable. Also I like direct link of internet and no Wifi. Oppo 205 delete the Tidal app so i have to add a PC to stream Tidal. Less is always better to improve SQ.
larry5729's avatar
larry5729 OP
1,000 posts
 
I was not aware there was loudness normalization setting on TIDAL.  Not sure where to find this.  Please let me know how to do this.

When I first began streaming TIDAL I tried streaming it wirelessly via my Apple TV.  This is what TIDAL diagrams on their website.  However, my signal kept breaking up and I solved this problem by hard wiring using  CAD6 from the modem in my family room to my Apple TV and from the Apple TV to port in the back of my ARCAM.
rhljazz
1,249 posts
 
Via the Tidal app, click heart icon at bottom right, then click gear wheel icon at upper right.  New page lists loudness normalization under heading for playback.  Disable the function.
larry5729's avatar
larry5729 OP
1,000 posts
 
rhljazz, are you saying I should disable the loudness normalization function?  If so, why?  I thought this feature when engaged eliminates the volume differences you get from one album to another.  So, why would you disable this feature and choose to adjust the volume levels constantly between songs and albums?  Are you doing so because this increases the dynamic range?
rhljazz
1,249 posts
 
Yes, especially when performing a direct comparison between Tidal and a cd.  Any manipulation of the signal affects sound quality.  Although they claim the feature is sonically transparent, it isn’t.  Just as MP3 was claimed to sound as good as a cd.
The feature is useful for casual listening to play lists as you mentioned so as to avoid constant attention to the volume control.  I don’t listen that way so I leave the loudness normalization disabled.
Since it only takes a few seconds to switch off/on, you can change the setting as needed to match your listening session.


More to discover