2. digital
  3. 182109-179465

Using streaming as a main source ---DSD, FLAC, MQA Streamers and DACS

As I read these forums, and watch copious amounts of Youtube, I'm struck by what a bad idea some of the streaming / digital formats are doing. I'm trying to build a system where I have a streamer, dad, and amplifier (with pre-amp) as separate components but what I keep finding is that the streaming/digital world is totally confused.

--MQA--

MQA seems to be both advancing with new MQair support and dying (few audiophiles seem to like it).

-- DSD -- 

Seems to be favored by High-end audiophiles but not streaming services. 

-- FLAC --

FLAC seems to be pushed by Qobuz which seems to be the preferred service for high quality audio (but not for music recommendations). 

 

Choosing a Streamer / DAC is a nightmare -- given the industry going back and forth on quality, formats, special licensing. Does one choose the formats they want to use and then find appropriate DAC etc or does one choose a DAC that sounds great and then accept its limitations.

I don't understand why streamers don't commit to upscaling to 24/192 or DSD256 for any format so the DAC peeps can focus on a single format. 

So how does one decide where to start? 

 

 

 

 

kiwiscott
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,753 posts
 

kiwiscott

... Choosing a Streamer / DAC is a nightmare -- given the industry going back and forth on quality, formats, special licensing ...

A nightmare? Really?

If you are truly that confused, I suggest a visit to a good dealer or two for guidance.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

So how does one decide where to start? 

How much money do you have? 😁

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,511 posts
 

MQA is a fraud. Try listening to it on competent equipment. Or finding it at audio shows.

DSD files are too large to stream in 2023. The biggest difference for DSD is using it for the original recording.

I find music that I like every day on Qobuz. Then I seek out hard copies.

I rarely like ANY recommendations from ANYWHERE. If you do I probably would not like yours.

I’m glad that you enjoy music, most all of us humans do. Now you have to just find an acceptable way to reproduce it. That task is as easy or hard as you make it. Confused is a poor starting point. "The world" is NOT confused, you are by definition.

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