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.
@devinplombier sounds like you just started. I’d be eager to learn more. You have a great way of conveying it. And I am sorry to be so ignorant about streaming, if that helps, I am fluent on the IT side. Also, I took apart a few CD players to fix them, and they did look very similar/swappable. Another ignorant question: if CD is lossless, then who cares if there is another technology that can come close or as good? Other than access to more music. |
Redbook CD resolution is 16 bit 44.1khz Streaming offers 24 bit 192khz Does higher resolution streaming sound as good as CD or better? That depends on the components you’re running this comparison on. This is where a cheap cd transport i.e. audiolab or cambridge, will beat equally priced streamer feeding the same DAC if you want high quality digital front end it will cost accordingly be it a cd transport or a streamer
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If you’re new to streaming and looking to dive in, I’d recommend starting with the Bluesound Node or Node ICON. There are other budget-friendly options out there, but one of the most important aspects of any streaming player is its app experience. The BluOS app from Bluesound is among the most consistent and user-friendly interfaces available. Pair it with an iPad and a Qobuz subscription, and you’re all set. Don’t overthink it—just dive in and start enjoying the vast selection of music. |
@lalitk thank you! I am a bit worried it would be the end of my vinyl days. But I am probably overreacting. |
Approach streaming as a platform for discovering, sampling and exploring endless music instantly. Vinyl, on the other hand is about immersion—slowing down and deepening your connection with the albums that truly matter. For me, streaming has actually enhanced my vinyl journey. I use it heavily to discover new artists, compare different masterings and decide which records are truly worth owning. I’m probably one of the few who doesn’t rush to buy every new release and streaming has helped me curb both the anxiety and the impulse to collect everything that comes out on vinyl and CD’s :-) |
