CD Player vs Streamer

12oner

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Jun 16, 2020
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Hi all,

Hope everyone is well.

Apologies in advance if this is a noob question but, since steaming platforms can now support lossless, CD quality, what is the benefit of a CD player over a streamer? I have this perception that a CD player should sound better (all those analog lovers out there) but is that infact the case? Say you bought a streamer and a CD player of the same value, would there be any clear sonic difference? Obviously the streamer seems a little better in terms of practically, but the advantage of a CD player isn't immediately that clear to me.

Any advise is appreciated.

Thanks
 
I think it’s a similar point to why own a turntable. I have more CDs than anything else, and I’m certainly not going waste hours of my life ripping them all. Besides, they have a nostalgia value, and liner notes.

Streaming is great, and now forms the majority of my listening, but I still want to play CDs. And if you like to own your music, CDs are way cheaper than LPs, not to mention more dependable.

Were I starting today, I think I’d be reluctant to buy a CD player, unless I liked collecting charity shop CDs.
 
I have around a thousand CDs, and frequently pick by having a good, old-fashioned browse. There are things I would probably not think to listen to again if I didn't have the CDs out. And I do like to collect, music, films, books etc.

But if I were younger and starting from scratch, I doubt I'd do it this way.
 
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There are things I would probably not think to listen to again if I didn't have the CDs out.

Then one could argue that CD/album didn't really make much of impact! I stream a lot and pretty much remember the albums I love, if you have roon the liner notes are there, also and think they're on a tidal also. The album are also easier to find as you have the whole cover to look at rather than just the spine.

So really a none argument IMO (just playing devil's advocate here)
 

DCarmi

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There is something nice about owning a physical copy. Mostly I use CDs and LPs when I want to actively "listen" to music. That said, streaming is:
  • convenient as you can build playlists and just have them run in the background (great when working from home)
  • easier to discover new music, you probably would not pick up from a shop etc
  • not that much poorer in quality on a mid-range system (because I work upstairs, I mostly stream using my second system, a little Denon DM41 via chromecast).
My physical collection has hardly increased in size, in the past 2 or 3 years, maybe 5 or 6 a year on average. If I were starting out, my physical collection would be much smaller.
 

TomC

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First I had a system with a CD, after that I gave up the CD, i.e. sporadically used it in other systems. My primary source was a network player. In the end, I ended up with a CD that is also a network player. I think I will stay here ...
 
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Then one could argue that CD/album didn't really make much of impact! I stream a lot and pretty much remember the albums I love, if you have roon the liner notes are there, also and think they're on a tidal also. The album are also easier to find as you have the whole cover to look at rather than just the spine.

So really a none argument IMO (just playing devil's advocate here)

The thing is it's often a single track, though the spine argument is exactly how it seems to me too.

I guess as well that if you have already bought them, paying to be able to listen to them on another platform seems somewhat daft!
 

12oner

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I have around a thousand CDs, and frequently pick by having a good, old-fashioned browse. There are things I would probably not think to listen to again if I didn't have the CDs out. And I do like to collect, music, films, books etc.

But if I were younger and starting from scratch, I doubt I'd do it this way.
Yes, I do feel that having CD as a source means your probably more considerate in your choice of what you play. Can I ask, do you feel either is superior in terms of the quality of sound? Thanks
 

12oner

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There is something nice about owning a physical copy. Mostly I use CDs and LPs when I want to actively "listen" to music. That said, streaming is:
  • convenient as you can build playlists and just have them run in the background (great when working from home)
  • easier to discover new music, you probably would not pick up from a shop etc
  • not that much poorer in quality on a mid-range system (because I work upstairs, I mostly stream using my second system, a little Denon DM41 via chromecast).
My physical collection has hardly increased in size, in the past 2 or 3 years, maybe 5 or 6 a year on average. If I were starting out, my physical collection would be much smaller.
Hi, thanks for your reply, you say 'not much poorer in quality' what are your grounds for this? I'm trying to establish whether a cd player has any components which would mean it should sound superior to a streamer of the same price. Do you know if this is the case? Would you say the difference in sound is more subjective that objective?

Most of the other replies here seem to suggest that physical media is the only benefit to having a cd player.

Thanks!
 
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Yes, I do feel that having CD as a source means your probably more considerate in your choice of what you play. Can I ask, do you feel either is superior in terms of the quality of sound? Thanks

i was wondering too. is streaming "better" sound quality than playing cd's or is it just "different" ?
 

djh1697

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My CD collection is no longer played on a CD player, I got rid of it, a Naim CD5X, cira 10 years ago. I do have a few hundred CD's. I have ripped a lot to a NAS drive and copied to a Roon server, using dBpoweramp to make accurate rips.

I play them back via Roon, converting the 44/16 FLAC file to DSD, very enjoyable listening. Roon maybe expensive, but it works and integrates very well with my system. My turntable still has the edge though!!!!

I have two sources these days, a Pink Triangle turntable, and a March DAC connected to my Roon server via USB. The former beats the latter in most respects.

Two small but recent upgrades include Titan mains cables https://titanaudio.co.uk/pages/titan-audio-styx-cable
The excellent value for money Kudos KS1 speaker cable, which leaves Naim Naca5 sounding 2d, and lacking a soundstage!
 
I think it’s a similar point to why own a turntable. I have more CDs than anything else, and I’m certainly not going waste hours of my life ripping them all. Besides, they have a nostalgia value, and liner notes.

Streaming is great, and now forms the majority of my listening, but I still want to play CDs. And if you like to own your music, CDs are way cheaper than LPs, not to mention more dependable.

Were I starting today, I think I’d be reluctant to buy a CD player, unless I liked collecting charity shop CDs.
I don't believe it's similar to having a turntable. Very different entities. However, as streamers and CDs are both digital it comes down to personal choice: Clutter of CDs or not.

I think a well appointed CDP is as good as any price compatible streamer.

Agreed, though, if I started over again I wouldn't bother with CDs or vinyl... streamer and active speakers would be my first port of call.
 

Wil

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May 8, 2020
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Hi all,

Hope everyone is well.

Apologies in advance if this is a noob question but, since steaming platforms can now support lossless, CD quality, what is the benefit of a CD player over a streamer? I have this perception that a CD player should sound better (all those analog lovers out there) but is that infact the case? Say you bought a streamer and a CD player of the same value, would there be any clear sonic difference? Obviously the streamer seems a little better in terms of practically, but the advantage of a CD player isn't immediately that clear to me.

Any advise is appreciated.

Thanks
Have you already considered the following lists?

It's a starting point to forming a personalised understanding… present day products.
 

DCarmi

Well-known member
Hi, thanks for your reply, you say 'not much poorer in quality' what are your grounds for this? I'm trying to establish whether a cd player has any components which would mean it should sound superior to a streamer of the same price. Do you know if this is the case? Would you say the difference in sound is more subjective that objective?

Most of the other replies here seem to suggest that physical media is the only benefit to having a cd player.

Thanks!

My grounds are personal. I find CD sounds better at close listening but streaming is perfectly acceptable to me and to be fair the medium I use most.

In an ideal world, I'd have both and have both.
 
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Adam W.

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My grounds are personal. I find CD sounds better at close listening but streaming is perfectly acceptable to me and to be fair the medium I use most.

In an ideal world, I'd have both and have both.

I agree. I really enjoy using and listening to my Cambridge CXN as it's extremely convenient and sounds very good (Qobuz, etc). It gives me instant access to a huge amount of music.

I just feel that my CD transport (Cambridge CXC) sounds a little better.

I don't regret buying the CXN or the CXC.
 

DIB

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I still enjoy the thrill of buying a CD and waiting for the postman to arrive. The first play is always on my CD player, then I rip it to a FLAC file on my NAS and normally stream it then. If I'm in the mood then I'll pick a handful of CDs to take to work and play through the day in my van.

So basically my CD player does not see as much action as it used to but I still wouldn't be without one. My current player, Rotel CD14, is about as high up the CD ladder as I would go though now.
 

DCarmi

Well-known member
I still enjoy the thrill of buying a CD and waiting for the postman to arrive. The first play is always on my CD player, then I rip it to a FLAC file on my NAS and normally stream it then. If I'm in the mood then I'll pick a handful of CDs to take to work and play through the day in my van.

So basically my CD player does not see as much action as it used to but I still wouldn't be without one. My current player, Rotel CD14, is about as high up the CD ladder as I would go though now.

I am old enough to remember the joy of visiting a series record shops to leaf through the LP covers looking for a bargain or artwork which took my fancy. Waiting patiently for the person looking through section E-F to finish and getting irritated when the person who has finished A-B starts to invades your territory. Happy days!
 
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