How competitive are you with your system?

 Better systems inspire me to improve my own setup. 

Perfect example:

Sounds to me like someone wasted $340,000.

https://youtu.be/kVe9SEm69Fg

https://youtu.be/radHy4HhhNg

carlos269

... the loss in audio quality suffer through the YouTube process is not that detrimental ...

That’s a subjective assessment and of course you’re entitled to it. In fact, the design of lossy audio software - such as used by YouTube, Sirius/XM, and mp3 files - is specifically designed to minimize the apparent loss of audio quality and it is very, very effective. It that sense it’s rather amazing that those sources don’t sound worse! It’s fine that you rely on those sources for evaluation, but it’s silly to suggest that the loss of fidelity is insignificant. 

Let’s put your theory to the test ...

It's not a theory. YouTube uses lossy audio and for some listeners it is r-e-a-l-l-y obvious.

Makes one wonder how many people refuse to post because they’ve spent mega bucks and are afraid that others will feel that they just don’t "measure up" or recognize that when held up to the direct transfer, they actually don’t???

cleeds    if you use lossy media (YouTube, Spotify, mp3 files), the recording will not be "original" at all.

My SACD sound recording, Danny Boy - Jacintha

WAV file (CD SQ) You Don't Know You're Born - Mark Knopfler 

Free YT downloaded. My Favorite Picture of You  

I think lossy media isn't that bad.   Alex/Wavetouch audio