Best digital format (non streaming)

I thought 'bandwith issue' was referring having to transfer all that 'stuff' through the 'airwaves' for 'streaming', and that is referred to BANDWIDTH (capacity to transfer data). 

It should not (hopefully) not be confused with reslution (24/192 etc). 

So rephrasing the question: best audio format/quality NOT streamed. 

Those pointing ad CD: is there really no better (higher resolution) media/files (commonly) available for purchase (for example through download and stored)?

Sure there are higher resolution formats available but most recordings come only in 1 or 2.  If you want that music, the format is not in question.  Besides, you have to convince yourself that you can hear any difference with the higher resolution medium. 

FWIW, I listen to recordings in my collection which range from CD resolution (16/44.1) to PCM 32/384 or DSD256 and I cannot recall a time when I've selected by resolution except when testing or trying to impress someone.  Choosing between stereo and multichannel?  Well, that's another story.

Glad to hear that CD resolution still 'cuts it', since I am NOT and likely won't be for a long time a 'streamer'. And also came to find out that some 'remixes' (likely with much better resolution) and therefore 'better' are just not the same as the one made available to the public (for example on the original CD). 

Once you start listening to higher res recordings- And, I might add, recordings that were recorded at high res-you will hear the difference over Redbook.

My caveat refers to old recordings that have been resampled.

B

Now that I've heard SACDs played with their DSD resolution, I would rank the media as follows:

SACD

DVD or Blu-Ray

HDCD

CD

This is based on playing them all through the same transport and DAC.  So, basically, the higher the resolution, the better the sound if you're listening to the same recording.  Before I heard SACDs in DSD, I wasn't impressed with SACDs that were converted to 24/192 PCM.

The difference I hear is that higher-res sounds more analog--smoother with less digital glare or shrillness. 

Now, there are some CDs that were very well-recorded that can sound comparable to higher-res media of other recordings, but they are in the minority, in my experience--mostly audiophile labels like Chesky, Bainbridge, Telarc.