Headchef
Active Member
So I’m currently torturing myself to determine a simple thing, which streaming service gives the *best sounding* output.
objectively.
So I’ve been listening to Cachaito by Orlando Lopez as a reference album to compare the four services I currently use, all played at the same sample rates, exclusive mode when supported.
so far the sound reproduction seems to be split into two camps, and they are deter as to how they sound, the musical presentation through my system, now yours will no doubt be different and I’d be keen to understand how it does sound different to you…
so “as I hear it” this is how today’s listening has panned out…
Camp A
1. Qobuz
2. Apple Lossless
both soundstages around 2ft from the ground, width about 2-3ft either side of outside speaker edges, height 2-3 ft with clear central imaging, depth about 2-3ft from drivers, 1-2 ft behind. No discernible treble bleed or bass roll off.
Camp B
3. Tidal
4. Amazon
both soundstages around 1ft from the ground, width about 1-2ft either side of outside speaker edges, height 1-2ft with mostly clear central imaging, some blurring during complex passages, depth about 1-2ft from drivers, 1ft behind. Noticeable reduction in treble and bass resolution sometimes poor.
volumes checked with a constant 63db tone before playing to ensure equal output levels.
those numbers are ranked, Qobuz sounded the most realistic in reproduction with Apple very close behind, if a little over bright sounding in certain parts. Tidal and Amazon both gave very similar performances with Tidal did seem to have the edge over Amazon in the more demanding sections.
Anyone else care to compare them and share your thoughts? I have a couple of friends with professional recording studios, I might be able to borrow a few mics etc and actually record the levels at measured distances to see if it’s possible to determine if this is scientifically demonstrable.
it’s been, hot, perhaps too hot
objectively.
So I’ve been listening to Cachaito by Orlando Lopez as a reference album to compare the four services I currently use, all played at the same sample rates, exclusive mode when supported.
so far the sound reproduction seems to be split into two camps, and they are deter as to how they sound, the musical presentation through my system, now yours will no doubt be different and I’d be keen to understand how it does sound different to you…
so “as I hear it” this is how today’s listening has panned out…
Camp A
1. Qobuz
2. Apple Lossless
both soundstages around 2ft from the ground, width about 2-3ft either side of outside speaker edges, height 2-3 ft with clear central imaging, depth about 2-3ft from drivers, 1-2 ft behind. No discernible treble bleed or bass roll off.
Camp B
3. Tidal
4. Amazon
both soundstages around 1ft from the ground, width about 1-2ft either side of outside speaker edges, height 1-2ft with mostly clear central imaging, some blurring during complex passages, depth about 1-2ft from drivers, 1ft behind. Noticeable reduction in treble and bass resolution sometimes poor.
volumes checked with a constant 63db tone before playing to ensure equal output levels.
those numbers are ranked, Qobuz sounded the most realistic in reproduction with Apple very close behind, if a little over bright sounding in certain parts. Tidal and Amazon both gave very similar performances with Tidal did seem to have the edge over Amazon in the more demanding sections.
Anyone else care to compare them and share your thoughts? I have a couple of friends with professional recording studios, I might be able to borrow a few mics etc and actually record the levels at measured distances to see if it’s possible to determine if this is scientifically demonstrable.
it’s been, hot, perhaps too hot
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