bits is bits

jeffbij

... I've never seen any info from either Qobuz or Tidal on what the format(s) they get or use for the "masters", I don't think those masters are what is actually streamed. Most likely they are ripped or converted (or down sampled from hi-rez, DSD, etc.) into a FLAC, AIFF, etc. file ...

I've been told by Qobuz execs that the service streams files exactly as received from the record company or distributor. There's no processing or other alteration to the files and the stream is never throttled even if there's heavy network traffic. Since it uses TCP/IP, it should be delivering a bit perfect file to your streamer.

I don't know much about what processes Tidal and other services use.

@lalitk +1 and I will add that the "well appointed" system will reveal what your sources are doing, good or bad.  That's when you can tell what needs upgrading.

Being a boomer, Iʻve gotten to the age where I want less clutter and stuff.  Nixon was president when I began my audiophile journey...

Iʻve done all of that, but now, I just run the Linux PC for my collection on hard drive.  I do stream some things off of YouTube and Internet Radio, but thatʻs not for critical listening.  I sold off the records, table and table wall mount earlier this year.  Just the PC and monitor in the corner with the amp stack and speakers. 

@russbutton   We've wandered similar paths..I bought my first system at age 16 with a loan(Mom co-signed, I had a good job and worked nearly full time while in HS) of about $20K in todays dollars. McIntosh, Klipsch, & Tandberg..and various other things. They were the big names back then. 

Fast forward to today..different system(though I still have some of those pieces from '73) and I have/had a similar collection of CDs. In the last six months I've started streaming..Qobuz. Picked up a Bluesound N130 streamer(upgraded the power supply board and power supply, ran it to my DAC) to get my feet wet and found it's limitations within a few months. I then picked up a used Aurender N10 streamer.  While you mention you can't ever see the need to start streaming..just saying..there's a BIG world out there.  I now listen to my old CD collection(via streaming) about 10% of the time. There is soooo much new music out there to discover and enjoy and streaming lays it at your feet for a very (very) modest fee. For less than the cost of one CD/month you have access to nearly any music from any age, and any genre you can imagine, and a few that you can't. 

We're not getting any younger..the journey in discovering new music, even if it's 30-40 years old, for, basically, free..is a great ride. 

Just a thought..

While you mention you can’t ever see the need to start streaming..just saying..there’s a BIG world out there.  I now listen to my old CD collection(via streaming) about 10% of the time. There is soooo much new music out there to discover and enjoy and streaming lays it at your feet for a very (very) modest fee. For less than the cost of one CD/month you have access to nearly any music from any age, and any genre you can imagine, and a few that you can’t. We’re not getting any younger..the journey in discovering new music, even if it’s 30-40 years old, for, basically, free..is a great ride. Just a thought..

@nogaps big +1 and that’s exactly been my experience as well.  My only regret is that I didn’t start streaming sooner.  While I’ve enjoyed being an audiophile for decades, streaming has brought a reawakening of my enthusiasm/enjoyment through discovering and listening to new music most of which I never would’ve otherwise found.  I’d highly recommend getting something cheap like a used Node (N130 or later so you have a USB out) and do a free trial of Qobuz or Tidal, because even though you think you don’t “need” it once you experience having worlds of new music at your fingertips it’s a revelation, and like nogaps I rarely listen to my own stuff anymore that frankly seems like going backwards and not nearly as enjoyable.  Hey, it’s cheap to try and it could change your world as it did ours so why not?!?  Just my $0.02 FWIW. 

Assuming streams we receive from various streaming providers are identical I agree bits are bits. I very much doubt these services altering data packages they receive from record companies. By the way, Tidal no longer using MQA, now FLAC files. 

I don't use Tidal or Qobuz music players on my main system, both integrated into my Roon library, I can detect absolutely no difference between Tidal or Qobuz streams, and over 3k cd rips for that matter, any differences due to provenance of recording. I posit music player apps such as Roon, Audirvana or proprietary are where the variability in sound quality found, and this sound quality variability due to our streaming equipment. Generally you'll find Roon and Audirvana app more complex interfaces require greater processor resources vs the proprietary apps.