bits is bits
Being a retired IT tech, Iʻm a "bits is bits" guy. I keep seeing people rank different streaming services against each other and I have to say, Iʻm mystified. Modern recordings are all digital masters and remastered. If two different hi-res streaming services, say Qobuz and Tidal, have the same track available, why would one sound different from the other, let alone better?
The stream is being fed over TCP/IP from the source, and I see no reason that it you were to do a cksum on the same file/track being delivered by either streaming service, that they would exactly match. So why do people claim better sound from one streaming source over the other. Iʻm assuming they are both full resolution sources, not mp3.
+1 Excellent explanation. Eg: My first generation streamer. My Auralic Aries was introduced in 2014. It came with its own stock 16 vdc LPS. It sounded terrible when compared to playing the same song via Tidal vs on my CD transport - using the same DAC. Being a tweaker, my 1st mod was to swap out the flimsy cheap stock DC umbilical cord (to the stock LPS) with a DIY version of 20 awg pure copper OCC solid core wire. The improvement in SQ was a substantial - and I mean substantial. My 2nd mod was to replace the stock Auralic 16vdc LPS with a better quality one. Again, another big jump in SQ. My 3rd mod was to add a USBe Perfect signal regenerator to the output of the Auralic streamer. Another big jump in SQ. The music was even more refined - with a blacker background. The 4th mod was to add a DDC between the streamer and DAC. With these 4 minor mods, the same streamer now outperformed my CD transport - by far - using the same DAC. The other components in the system remained the same. A high-quality streamer will have all of these improvements built-in - plus much, much more. Better design, better firmware, better parts, quieter circuitry, better power supply, better EMI protection, etc. In other words, a high-quality streamer will address all of the factors that @jeffbij addressed in his post. - - - Over the years, my entire digital streaming chain has been substantially upgraded. I stream only. I don’t miss my CD’s. A 96 piece orchestra sounds magnificent. |
... Yes... although I would use the words "bad streamer". Typically you get what you pay for. A $90 WiiM Mini is a quality product if you are judging it based on what it costs. Just like a $2000 streamer typically will meet expectations in that price category. It is all relative.
|
The streamer itself doesn't or shouldn't alter bit packages via all the enhancements listed above, therefore, volume leveling, dsp etc. Those enhancements are found in the software and one can choose to disable them. Streamers differ in their ability to minimize RFI/EMI, provide stable and precise clocking and quality of their interfaces, meaning USB, I2S, etc. Beyond the components/parts used, proprietary operating systems, music player apps are just a couple of the measures taken in order to further sound quality beyond what a general service computer can provide. The impact of streamers in providing highest level of sound shouldn't be minimized, they act much like preamp/line stages in the audio system in that they are like the heart of the system, digital data requires care, this is stage where bits are no longer simply bits. What's good enough for general service needs isn't good enough for streaming audio at levels to compete with all analog sources. Getting continuous and accurate wave forms from digital isn't that simple. |
