CD or High Res Streaming | Which Sounds Better?

In this video, we'll explore the sonic differences between CDs and high-res streaming, touching on factors like audio resolution, compression, and personal preferences. We'll also discuss the benefits of higher bit depth and SNR in the recording process and how they can impact the final listening experience.

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#cd #highresolution #streaming

[michaelcollins]

I prefer CDs. I use streaming to FIND/TRY new music and artists, and if I like it, I usually purchase it on CD/SACD.

[mxs]

My god I love your voice. I highly recommend selling your voice to marketing companies. Incredibly clear and smooth to listen to... Yes I am this impressed right now. Use your gift in more ways than "just" youtube.

[Andy.Garcia]

BEST, honest, and practical explanation I’ve heard in my many years playing with audio. Thanks Mike, and keep up the great work!

[mikecampbell]

I listen to both, but there is something to be said about the experience of listening to a CD, reading the liner notes, lyrics and artwork in the CD case. When I want to do critical listening I use a CD because I don't have to worry about band width or possible drop outs. I have been a Metallica fan since the early 80s and I have a decent collection of their CDs. I don't have the last two though. Loved the subject of your video.

[ptg]

No easy answer indeed... bottom line is to just enjoy the music / performance. Streaming is so convenient especially for discovering new music.

[yankee]

At the end of the day the CD gives you a competent physical copy of the music. It's quality while very good could still improve if only the industry would accept that a large portion of people still want that hard copy to have and hold.

[freewheelandive]

Thank you Sir, you described both sides of the CD VS Streaming divide with aplomb, and I now feel much better about (what I'd previously imagined to be) being able to hear the difference. Thanks again.

[Wallyboy]

Seems to me that the most important thing in audio quality with good equipment is how well the music is recorded and mastered. I’ve heard bad recordings in multiple formats. Resolution makes no difference. Likewise great recordings sound terrific in cd or high res.

[dragonfire]

I listen to both. Have Qobuz and Tidal plus my Audiolab CDT 6000 cd transport.

[ChasingAlpha]

Great video Mike, definitely one of your more informative and level approach ones. I learnt some new things watching this and being a CD fanatic with new found knowledge I guess if my streaming buddies want to debate they better be "sleeping with one eye open"

[net_news]

in my humble experience: CD, CD and CD. Hands down.

[timothystockman]

I think it comes down to mastering. Sometimes the CD is mastered better, sometimes the hires is mastered better.

[alext]

CD is better than hi res streaming. I have tried streamers up to £15k and cd players up to £10k. It is not close. If you value 3d, CD should be your friend. We are being sold a lie....

[kHERTZ]

I struggle to comprehend this concept, which is why I prefer buying CDs instead of downloading 24-bit files for purchase. Streaming is mainly for discovering new music. In my setup, I have a Cambridge Audio transport (cx family variety) connected to my Cambridge Audio Azur streamer. Additionally, I use a hard drive to play ripped CDs and purchased 24-bit files through the streamer. Surprisingly, when I compare playing a CD with the same DAC to playing 24-bit files from the hard drive with the same DAC, the CD always sounds better. One might expect the mechanical nature of an optical reader to reduce sound quality compared to reading data directly from a solid-state hard drive, but it’s actually the opposite. I’m puzzled by this, even when comparing albums that have been mastered identically. The cd has a much wider sound stage with a lot more depth. X10. The only thing I can think of is that the cx cd transport separates the signal is a superior way before sending to the optical external cable. Maybe that’s the power of a decent cd transport. Very surprising.

[ealanosborne]

I currently don’t have a CD player in my possession, but I was blown away by the level of detail I heard when I streamed Hi-Res music on Apple Music when hooked up to a Peachtree Nova 300 stereo integrated amp, and coming out of Aperion Audio Verus Concert towers. But at some point I’d love to get a CD player and compare it on the same system. 😁

[wiebl]

This is probably one of your best video!!! It explains the CD vs Streaming controversy so so so well. Enough science and common-sense talk. 4 thumbs up (including my toes). Thank YOU. Oh if you choose Eagles or Michael Jackson the next time--I'll be first to comment!! Just subscribed.

[gene]

I found it is more important how recording is produced to high quality than so much the format. Of course I would not include a substandard format like mp3. If a recording is produced poorly or recorded poorly it won't matter if you put it on SACD or High Res it's still going to sound poor. For real high-resolution recording you need to capture it at the time of the original performance using high-resolution equipment. Many specialty audiophile labels actually produce and release hi-res music. But the major labels generally do not. They repackage, remaster, and rerelease analog albums in hi-res, digital bit buckets but the fidelity of their reissued catalog will never reach the potential of a bona fide HD recording. And new productions are rarely recorded at greater than 48 kHz/24-bits, mastered to within a bit of their “dynamic range”

[njasicko]

So in my case it comes down to whatever song has the better mastering and dynamic range. Both my streaming transport using Amazon music HD and disc transport using cd/sacd/dvd-a go directly into a Topping D90SE DAC. One in the IIS input and the other USB input port.

[heavychevy]

personally i still love owning & holding a tangible medium, so for me, if i like the artist enough, ill buy the cd ...but now, if i only like, say one song on an album, ill usually just stick with a download... always enjoy ur videos, thank u sir

[taidee]

Good thing for me, I listen to both and I just enjoy the content, thank you for this type of content.