Do you stream hi-res music or download hi-res tracks? We want your opinions

[What Hi-Fi?]

Welcome to another instalment of our monthly Ask the Reader column, where we ask our readers for their input on a key topic of discussion.

In this month's discussion, we want to know how you listen to high-resolution music in your home hi-fi set-up. We're talking higher than CD quality (16-bit/44.1kHz) files, meaning digital files that are in 24-bit quality, going up to 192kHz, as well as DSD files.

It was the case only a few years ago that if you wanted to stream your favourite albums in hi-res quality, then you'd have to buy and download the album from sites such as HDTracks, 7Digital, Qobuz or NativeDSD, store them on a server, hard drive or on your laptop, and then use a hi-res streamer (or network audio player) that could stream those files over your home network and wi-fi.

Do you stream hi-res music or download hi-res tracks? We want your opinions : Read more

 

[michael hoy]

For me it is internal streaming, I download the album or track to my Server / NAS and stream to my Linn streamer.
I don't use any of the streaming sites to stream music.

 

[busb]

Until a couple of years ago, I'd say that streaming was my favourite option - renting rather than buying. Using iTunes has enabled me to locally cache a huge amount of music including classical & individual songs.
However, differences in SQ aside, dozens of tracks &/or whole albums suddenly become unavailable, despite d/ling them. "This song is no longer available in your region." Others maybe able to explain the why's but there's no technical reason music can't effectively be available for ever - you don't need to make another batch of CDs or LPs!
If I "buy" music, I don't own it but do have the right to listen to it - you don't get home to find some CDs or LPs are missing.
I do agree that equitable payment needs to be sorted out but politics seems to be intervening. I'd say to anyone thinking of streaming: be aware that your favourite music may suddenly be unavailable!

 

[michael hoy]

Until a couple of years ago, I'd say that streaming was my favourite option - renting rather than buying. Using iTunes has enabled me to locally cache a huge amount of music including classical & individual songs.
However, differences in SQ aside, dozens of tracks &/or whole albums suddenly become unavailable, despite d/ling them. "This song is no longer available in your region." Others maybe able to explain the why's but there's no technical reason music can't effectively be available for ever - you don't need to make another batch of CDs or LPs!
If I "buy" music, I don't own it but do have the right to listen to it - you don't get home to find some CDs or LPs are missing.
I do agree that equitable payment needs to be sorted out but politics seems to be intervening. I'd say to anyone thinking of streaming: be aware that your favourite music may suddenly be unavailable!

That is why i do what i do with my music. It won't disappear (unless i delete it of course 🙂

 

[mavplace64]

I grew up in the age of Vinyl, then converted to cd and have returned to vinyl about 15 years ago. So vinyl is my main source for music purchases and preferred way to listen to music. About 4 years ago I set up a streaming system with a streamer and dac using Tidal and Qobuz, this I use only really to discover new music but still stream at the highest quality I can. Storing and purchasing downloads has never interested me as there is no emotional involvement for me. Maybe being of a certain age and listening to an album rather than individual tracks means streaming and downloading will never be for me.

 

[hootywwfc]

Both. I purchase, mainly from Bandcamp, and stream via Tidal.

 

[DREADZONE]

I stream via Amazon Music Unlimited using the Alexa app; would not be without it now.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

I want to download Hi-Res albums to a built-in SSD storage on a Streaming Amplifier like the Cambridge Audio Evo 150's successor.
And purchase them through an online personal cloud account of the amplifier manufacturer's unique application with a rich user interface to search and download Hi-Res albums locally on the SSD storage. So, the files can be accessed everywhere on the internet, but can redownload the files only on the secure and encrypted installed hardware.

 

[Cork]

I listen to hi-res for music that I think was well recorded, typically music recorded relatively recently. I like to own the music, so I purchase CDs for non-hi-res and primarily use HDTracks for hi-res (occasionally I use Bandcamp). FWIW, I'm very happy with HDTracks because I *am* an older listener who likes jazz, classical and "dad rock". I like to listen to an album once before I purchase it, so I use Tidal to check out albums; I listen to Tidal's hi-res version if one's available.

Not really part of the thread's qquestion, but I store my music on a NAS drive and stream it either through my Yamaha receivers' MusicCast or using Plex/Jellyfin.

 

[Joe_Christmas]

I mostly listen to hi-res music streamed online through the Bluesound ecosystem - mostly Tidal, though I have a Zen Innous for all my old CDs. I don't download from Tidal/Spotify and have never really had an issue with disappearing tracks or albums - I mostly listen to jazz/folk/americana.

A game-changer for me was Roon which allows for the proper integration of both my sources - being able to create a playlist from a mixture of Tidal and my own CDs is tremendous and its player functionality is significantly better than Tidal, Spotify and Bluesound.

I do miss Spotify recommendations which are light years better than both Tidal and Roon - but I love Roon functionality and sound quality. If Spotify ever delivered a hi-res tier it would be great - but after all this time, I don't think it's part of their business model.

Sorry - much of that is off-topic !

 

[idc]

I can tell the difference between Spotify "Low" and "Very High" quality streaming. I know that because of accidentally doing a blind test on myself, when updates have defaulted to "Low" quality. Blind testing suggests anything over 320kbps is enough that people cannot tell the difference any more.

 

[singularity6]

I subscribe to the paid version of Amazon Music. If I'm in my office, I have the desktop app through FX Sound's equalizer into my Fidelio X2 HR. At home, my laptop setup is a little different. I have a FOSI SA01 (at my desk) and a Fosi DS2 (travel) to power either my ATH-R70x or my ATH-M50x headphones.

I do have an Alienware tower hooked up to my TV. So I either stream from the desktop app > Sony Bravia > Denon DM-41 if I'm working with the computer. Otherwise I use my Wiim Pro into my DM-41.

 

[Jasonovich]

Streaming doesn't appeal to me much, though it is the ideal format for seeking out new artists and listening to their material first, before you decide to purchase.

I rather not faff around with vinyl, so I prefer to download my music. Particularly DSD or if the option isn't available high res PCM.

 

[Steve983]

I only stream on YouTube to try before I buy. Otherwise it's cd's or lossless/hi res downloads from Qobuz for me.

 

[Offertonhatter]

Although I have both my turntable and CD player, I also stream via my computer and output to my Amp. At the moment I have subscribed to Amazon Music, but possibly change to another service in a while. Works well, but I need to update my soundcard to one with digital out and use a DAC to my Amp (it is nearly 30 years old, fully serviced and wonderful! - So no digital input)

 

[Jasonovich]

Although I have both my turntable and CD player, I also stream via my computer and output to my Amp. At the moment I have subscribed to Amazon Music, but possibly change to another service in a while. Works well, but I need to update my soundcard to one with digital out and use a DAC to my Amp (it is nearly 30 years old, fully serviced and wonderful! - So no digital input)

There are many budget DACs that can output to your amp through the RCA connections. DACs from Fosi, SMSL or Topping should provide what you need.

Very recently I got the excellent sounding FiiO R2R K11 (£130ish) for my dining room set up, truly impressed by the sound quality and worth exploring.

 

[Offertonhatter]

Worth knowing. Thank you. I need to get the sound card with digital out first, and the one you suggested as a DAC to the Amp. will be perfect. I don't want to use another USB port for some DAC's as I am already overloaded with USB demands, and having a digital out on the sound card makes life some much easier for me.

 

[Jasonovich]

Worth knowing. Thank you. I need to get the sound card with digital out first, and the one you suggested as a DAC to the Amp. will be perfect. I don't want to use another USB port for some DAC's as I am already overloaded with USB demands, and having a digital out on the sound card makes life some much easier for me.

No worries, the toshlink optical from your new soundcard will be best.
Assume you have Windows PC?
I had a quick look on Amazon, they're selling SoundBlaster Sound card for a very reasonable price check link below

Amazon.co.uk

Also and aplogies if you're advance PC user 🙂 but if you're not, it would be prudent; once you have installed the new card, make sure you have disabled or uninstalled the built in sound chipset on your PC motherboard (RealTek?), this will negate any potential driver conflict.





This is also good but slightly more costly with higher specs (which you might not need)

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Offertonhatter]

Funnily enough, it is the Creative Sound Blasters I am looking at. And don't worry, I am slightly more than an Advanced PC user, I am an IT analyst/Technician for many years. 🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

Funnily enough, it is the Creative Sound Blasters I am looking at. And don't worry, I am slightly more than an Advanced PC user, I am an IT analyst/Technician for many years. 🙂

Oooops Ha ha ha, my apologies Sir 😂

 

[matchbook]

yes