Music Servers

If your stored music sounds better than streaming (assuming the same version/recording of course) it’s an indication your streaming setup needs improvement somewhere.  Songs have disappeared off my Qobuz playlist but are less than 1% of my library and thankfully hasn’t affected my more valued songs (yet 😬), but it is an issue and why I keep my important CDs around just in case.  Just my $0.02 FWIW. 

@soix that's interesting because I was told by a dealer at a reputable high-end store that in most cases music files bought and stored sounds better than streaming it. Or could it be it's more obvious on really good systems? My Innuos Pulsar and Accuphase DC-37 Processor/DAC are great units and deliver great music.  Regardless I don't have any other sources of music other than just streaming.  And I'm worried about losing my Playlists so I take a screenshot of all my new material in case I have to start compiling my Playlists all over again. 

that's interesting because I was told by a dealer at a reputable high-end store that in most cases music files bought and stored sounds better than streaming it. 

Have him demonstrate that then, and maybe they just haven’t optimized their streaming setup, which is certainly not uncommon even at high-end dealers.  You’ve got a great streamer and often times the difference comes down to needing a better Ethernet and/or USB cable or a good switch, etc. to equalize the playing field because these things matter a lot and can significantly affect streaming performance.  There are plenty of people here with big $$$ systems who will tell you they can’t tell the difference between stored and streamed music, which makes sense since they are the same ones and zeroes all else being equal and if delivered optimally. 

@soix lol let's not talk about USB cables! I'm going through a difficult process right now actually. I bought an Audience FrontRow USB A>B and I'm disappointed to say the least.  It's a good thing I kept my Ansuz X2 because even though the Audience is new and still breaking in I don't see myself happy with it. But I am having a really good experience with my custom Furutech power cord that replaced the Innuos Pulsar's factory cord. 

In my system, I prefer the sound of locally stored music on an Antipodes K50 server/streamer. 

My digital front-end, network devices, and cabling are high quality equipment that is configured correctly.