CD Sound vs Streaming

[allthingsanalogue]

I agree that poor USB implementation could be a reason for differences.

That assumes some basic level of control in the comparison - such as actually comparing the same mastering on CD and stream - which often hasn't even been considered, and so leads to an incorrect conclusion as to what is actually occurring.

I also had a Chord Qutest that supposedly has very good USB implementation but it still sounded poor compared to even a basic dvd player used as a transport connected via coaxial. Obviously I was comparing cd's to the actual rip, imported directly into the Melco so the mastering was identical.

Melco even claim you need 'audiophile' hard drives. When I contacted them and I suggested I might upgrade the drive they had a fit and said they modify the drives firmware for a better sound, which is strange as they are, afaik the only company that claim these magical audio qualities from hard drives. Also an SSD was at the time a big fat no, as they are electrically noisy. Jump forward a couple of years and of course they sell SSD based units at huge price increases.

Another suggestion they have for streaming is do. It connect it to a 'gigabit' internet and the data stream must be 'slow' so 10/100 and not 1000.

I guess it's just not for me!

[Macca]

hard drives affecting sound quality is moving into the absurd I agree.

[allthingsanalogue]

hard drives affecting sound quality is moving into the absurd I agree.

If it were true I would have thought (not Naim bashing here) that they would have mentioned it before anyone else.

[Puffin]

If you stream Spotify do you notice quite a variation in SQ from track to track like you would with a CD or LP depending on quality/production/mastering etc etc.

[bardley]

If you stream Spotify do you notice quite a variation in SQ from track to track like you would with a CD or LP depending on quality/production/mastering etc etc.

I do.
The mastering (if it is actually that causing the difference..) is noticeable.
ELO tracks have never sounded particularly good to me, and I have good few vinyl albums from them as well.
They seem to sound flat, and given the instruments and amount of instruments some of their tracks have, I would have thought it would have a better range. Its enough for me to have to avoid them.
Set at its highest streaming level, I've always found Spotify to do a pretty good job day to day.
Easy integration too with Volumio.
Interested to hear others' views on this.

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

[Puffin]

Some sound absolutely stunning with detail, ambience and good depth of soundstage in spades....others not so great but still listenable, some are just not right.

[Gazjam]

hard drives affecting sound quality is moving into the absurd I agree.

Hard agree.

Big believer in EVERYTHING making a difference,
but this one sets off my Spidey-sense.

From experience... naa.

How the drive is powered, whether SSD or mechanical, makes a bigger difference.
All about reducing electrical noise.

[Macca]

Hard agree.

Big believer in EVERYTHING making a difference,
but this one sets off my Spidey-sense.

From experience... naa.

How the drive is powered, whether SSD or mechanical, makes a bigger difference.
All about reducing electrical noise.

I avoid all of that by not introducing a computer in the first place

Just three boxes, never had a better sound in here.

[Gazjam]

I avoid all of that by not introducing a computer in the first place

Just three boxes, never had a better sound in here.

That'll work!

[Qwin]

I considered CEC, Project, Audio Note, basically the top loaders.
The mechanism is so much simpler, so money can be spent where it counts.
The Project top loading transport is very good, using the same transport and servo card as the Gryphon Ethos CD/DAC which costs a cool £32,500.
The Audio Note, uses a modified Philips CD Pro2LF CD mechanism and transformer coupled output.

Unfortunately I didn't have any top shelf space to accommodate one of these, so went with a drawer mechanism and much saner price point.