Then you must not be doing it right, most likely in terms of using SMPS, on your computer-related gear, as opposed to the fully-regulated linear variety, which in my experience is what can give flie-based audio its "soulless" quality, and which I do agree is a problem until suitably rectified. You have to successfully combat the noise.
Since I removed all cheapo SMPS units from my streaming set up, and powered anything computer-related from a separate mains block, to the components making up my system, it simply sounds as 'musical' as the music itself allows!
It's also important to use a non-clinical sounding DAC, something with a bit of 'meat on the bone', to eliminate any likelihood of sterility. Also, always stream music direct from your own sources/hard-drives (using minimum FLAC-quality files), not from an external source, such as Spotify, or worse YouTube.
Do all that, and steamed music NEVER sounds soulless!
Yeah, I completely agree... Crazily expensive, but undoubtedly state-of-the-art engineering in a player, and the pinnacle of how to extract music most accurately from the humble compact disc!Dragging the thread back to its start, I'm gutted that the Naim CD-555 is no more. I always loved that thing - not only for the sound (I still maintain it's the best CD player I have heard to date) but mainly for the utterly delightful loading lid action!
Marco.