Guys, it's simple. B is louder. I found this to be a very very weird test. Comparing the very subtle differences you might find in the same uncompressed master, through lossy youtube audio, recorded through speaker output (????) A much better test for this would be recording the DAC output directly, and uploading lossless files, or changing the A and B samples every 1 or 2 bars, instead of playing through the entire song for each sample. Still, even with all the very obviously flawed methodology I'm amazed nobody pointed out the very aparent fact that the B sample is louder, which makes the whole survey pointless. I downloaded the audio just to make sure, and the waveform is just larger on B throughout. I liked B better too, and I don't know why it's louder and I won't speculate, but if you think you can tell the differences in each sample independent of the loudness, you are deluding yourself.
B sounds better, maybe. Honestly, making these comparisons over the internet is not the same as being in the room but B sounded louder giving the music more snap, a bit clearer. I remember when I first heard an Esoteric Rubidium clock in and out of a system and was surprised that I clearly heard a difference. That same test over the internet? I don't know. I do hope you weather the bad weather though.
My ears enjoyed and preferred the 1st presentation.. just came off more natural and less digital. Can’t wait to hear the results! This was a fun one boys! Thanks for putting this video together. :)
I liked B much better but both sounded great. Fabulous sound from B&W speakers which are very reasonably priced compared to other high end speakers. So, which is A & which is B? Thanks for the video!
From where I sit "A" is more alive and dynamic, "B" in comparison sounds veiled and further away, shrunken in perspective. Both quite lovely but played consecutively the differences were apparent. For the record, "B" did seem a bit lower in output. I'd have to say "A" is the optical disc even though it sounded louder.
The difference, even over "You Tube" implies either 1/ you changed something in the room we can't see 2/ one is louder than the other so tricks the ear 3/ Qobuz is messing with the frequency balance. Thanks for doing this - all good fun!
B sounded louder, with the vocals more prominent. Didn't feel that was necessarily desirable. Also, there were moments where the musical transitions just sounded "rounder" to me, which I did appreciate. I always appreciate when I feel there is a difference in the sound, given the quality of the equipment. Interesting.
Just think if they were identical sources?😀 Difficult to hear difference on my smartphone, thought I heard a brief streaming glitch on B. Nice hifi set up though!❤️
'B' sounded much better, well rounded and easy on the ear... however, there's no point in trying to discern between the two; since everyone's earphones are different when it comes to reproducing sound. The best way to do this test is unfortunately to make a blindfold test for many people in presence of the speakers in that room, without a doubt!
Prefer 2. Are the volumes matched as 2nd almost sounds a bit louder. Bass seems better in 2. Are same cables being used to connect the CD transport and Server. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting and enjoyable. I think with some minor tweaks 1 could match 2.
Exact same cables as I mentioned. Same power. Only difference is that the server goes USB --> fiber. Transport goes fiber. And yes, I tried to volume match the best I could. Any differences you hear in dynamics/bass are attributed to that sources characteristics.
I think that B sounded better. As a side note, it had been several years since I heard this song. I tried my best........but still couldn't hold back the waterworks, lol. Wow, what a song.
A/B comparisons are difficult I find and to do them via an iPad is seldom reliable. In any vase, I made an effort, connected my Meze Empyrions to the iPad, listened to A twice for 1,5 minutes (the second listen often sounds better), then B for 1,5 minutes. I find this to be the most reliable method when I can’t listen at home for extended periods. For me B was cleraly better, more depth, better harmonics. I usually can’t notice much difference in these RUclips comparisons but this time I did. Very curious about which is which.
A lot of variables as each DAC sounds a bit different as do high end CD players. Accuphase player will give a more dense and musical presentation than let’s say Esoteric. I think cd and stream have similar potential for now. However a nice demonstration. Thanks!
At first I was going to go with the second presentation being more resolute and clear, but after going back and forth I'd say the second presentation is easily half a dB higher.
Sample A sounded a bit louder and more like a live recording, while sample B sounded less live and more like the original recording. I actually preferred sample A.
Enjoyable Presentation, for me #2 had more Presence in the Moment Life Like! Mike my old ears enjoy Analytical Resolution and Clarity to make up for their deficiencies now a days! Seductive Warmth of Tubes don't cut it anymore! Thanks Again
Mike, we wanna know what YOU think. You have way more experience than most of us. Plus you're actually in the room. Which did you prefer and why? And how big was the difference? I think streaming will eventually catch up to CD. According to Robert Harley, the Wadax streamer and DAC has already surpassed CD sound, but unfortunately the combined cost is over $200k, which obviously puts it out of reach for nearly all of us. On the other hand, maybe the MSB sound processor that you've said should be available soon can put top-notch streaming SQ within the reach of more of us. Fingers crossed.
According to my past experience, I was pretty sure A was CD and B was streaming. Streaming music has more variants affecting the final sound quality than a CD.
I liked B better, but both are very close. If streaming needs more money to be spent, i'd prefer the CD. I think the first is CD , but the vocals in B are much clearer.
I like nr 2 , for me nr 1 is too bright . Maibe because my headphone ( B&W Px8 ) is brand new ? Not have burn in . It's possible this make to bright nr 1 . BR
I don't understand why high end audio demos are done via RUclips. To imply being able to discern serious discrimination from listening through any means to a home computer terminal I can not believe anyone should think it is reasonable. Even bypassing a computer's playback with HQ DAC to a real stereo can't convey what a serious listening room presents (mic pickup, RUclips channel limits,,,) Its nice to see dealership show rooms with real equipment - especially in Central Florida that is within reach.
Plain and simple it’s for fun not to be taken literally like many including yourself have done. It’s obvious that what is being heard via RUclips is different than what’s heard in real life but if you listen with headphones you can get a small snapshot of the tones good audio systems have.
@@daveuk1324 Um ok lol make up your mind either RUclips videos are a waste listening through RUclips or you can hear all the details even distortion. Either your confused on this subject or your trolling lol
@@Audiofreak71 Not trolling (!) making a sensible point that perhaps you didn't follow. You clearly cannot hear everything through You Tube owing to bandwidth and frequency limitations over You Tube and the particular characteristics of your own playback equipment. The bandwidth and frequency limitations over You Tube will be the same for both A and B. Hence, if you can hear a difference through You Tube, that difference must be real and quite obvious even if it's not exactly what you would hear in the room.
@@daveuk1324 Which brings me back to the first thing I said, it’s all for fun and not meant to be taken literally like some do like yourself apparently.
Hope you are safe after storm. My ears tell me that first one is CD and second is stream? The first sounds more resolved and complete. The soundstage and presentation is tighter and more real. I am listening through AirPods so could be wrong. The second sounds good too, but in comparison with the first, not nearly as good.
I like music...don't get me wrong...I'm also considering myself an audiophile...but it's just crazy and ridiculous how expensive is getting to listen to the music in just a tiny better quality!
B presentation was more realistic, better space 3D -like instead of 2D- like of A, also sounds were more "soak up" with content , more present in the room, unbelievable I was able immediately hear the difference on RUclips
@@highendaudio I mean that you can't broadcast what your are doing over the internet as there are so many flaws that it is meaningless. I have Vela 409 speakers driven by an Orchard Dual-Mono amp (not the little ones) with max caps.
I preferred B, it sounded more rich in the mids and much less bright in the treble. This was a really good comparison. Thanks!
Love it! IMO B is the Superior presentation over youtube , Clearer , smoother. A may be More dense sounding. wonder how they sound in person.
Guys, it's simple. B is louder.
I found this to be a very very weird test. Comparing the very subtle differences you might find in the same uncompressed master, through lossy youtube audio, recorded through speaker output (????) A much better test for this would be recording the DAC output directly, and uploading lossless files, or changing the A and B samples every 1 or 2 bars, instead of playing through the entire song for each sample.
Still, even with all the very obviously flawed methodology I'm amazed nobody pointed out the very aparent fact that the B sample is louder, which makes the whole survey pointless. I downloaded the audio just to make sure, and the waveform is just larger on B throughout.
I liked B better too, and I don't know why it's louder and I won't speculate, but if you think you can tell the differences in each sample independent of the loudness, you are deluding yourself.
Definitely B, more musical and natural.
B sounds better, maybe. Honestly, making these comparisons over the internet is not the same as being in the room but B sounded louder giving the music more snap, a bit clearer. I remember when I first heard an Esoteric Rubidium clock in and out of a system and was surprised that I clearly heard a difference. That same test over the internet? I don't know. I do hope you weather the bad weather though.
My ears enjoyed and preferred the 1st presentation.. just came off more natural and less digital. Can’t wait to hear the results! This was a fun one boys! Thanks for putting this video together. :)
I liked B much better but both sounded great. Fabulous sound from B&W speakers which are very reasonably priced compared to other high end speakers. So, which is A & which is B? Thanks for the video!
From where I sit "A" is more alive and dynamic, "B" in comparison sounds veiled and further away, shrunken in perspective. Both quite lovely but played consecutively the differences were apparent. For the record, "B" did seem a bit lower in output. I'd have to say "A" is the optical disc even though it sounded louder.
The difference, even over "You Tube" implies either 1/ you changed something in the room we can't see 2/ one is louder than the other so tricks the ear 3/ Qobuz is messing with the frequency balance. Thanks for doing this - all good fun!
Excellent
I prefer B presentation. More natural and better balanced.
B sounded louder, with the vocals more prominent. Didn't feel that was necessarily desirable. Also, there were moments where the musical transitions just sounded "rounder" to me, which I did appreciate. I always appreciate when I feel there is a difference in the sound, given the quality of the equipment. Interesting.
Yea I have to go with #2 also! Great song btw, nice pick!
B definitely! Warmer with more clarity in the vocals. The first one had a brighter edgier sound. B is what I believe to be CD.
The second is nicer to listen to- better bass, better vocal.
I found the first a bit strident tbh.
Just think if they were identical sources?😀 Difficult to hear difference on my smartphone, thought I heard a brief streaming glitch on B. Nice hifi set up though!❤️
'B' sounded much better, well rounded and easy on the ear... however, there's no point in trying to discern between the two; since everyone's earphones are different when it comes to reproducing sound. The best way to do this test is unfortunately to make a blindfold test for many people in presence of the speakers in that room, without a doubt!
Prefer 2. Are the volumes matched as 2nd almost sounds a bit louder. Bass seems better in 2. Are same cables being used to connect the CD transport and Server. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting and enjoyable. I think with some minor tweaks 1 could match 2.
Exact same cables as I mentioned. Same power. Only difference is that the server goes USB --> fiber. Transport goes fiber.
And yes, I tried to volume match the best I could. Any differences you hear in dynamics/bass are attributed to that sources characteristics.
@@highendaudio Many thanks for the feedback. Great track by Bonnie as well.
I think that B sounded better. As a side note, it had been several years since I heard this song. I tried my best........but still couldn't hold back the waterworks, lol. Wow, what a song.
The second sound better to me, less digital, more analog. The first is too sharp, would be tiring in the long run.
'B' is better. I guess, the CD. Good old cd's. Thanks, nice setup that you have! Enjoy!
A/B comparisons are difficult I find and to do them via an iPad is seldom reliable. In any vase, I made an effort, connected my Meze Empyrions to the iPad, listened to A twice for 1,5 minutes (the second listen often sounds better), then B for 1,5 minutes. I find this to be the most reliable method when I can’t listen at home for extended periods. For me B was cleraly better, more depth, better harmonics. I usually can’t notice much difference in these RUclips comparisons but this time I did. Very curious about which is which.
Presentation B for the win!
A lot of variables as each DAC sounds a bit different as do high end CD players. Accuphase player will give a more dense and musical presentation than let’s say Esoteric. I think cd and stream have similar potential for now. However a nice demonstration. Thanks!
But it’s not a CD Player. It’s a transport into the same DAC as the streaming.
As for SACD/CD players, Esoteric’s new XD series is game changer stuff.
At first I was going to go with the second presentation being more resolute and clear, but after going back and forth I'd say the second presentation is easily half a dB higher.
The first one sounds more clear/clean to me.
My gut reaction after listening to both a couple times is B gets the nod. That’s through RUclips, so take it with a grain of salt.
Sample A sounded a bit louder and more like a live recording, while sample B sounded less live and more like the original recording. I actually preferred sample A.
Enjoyable Presentation, for me #2 had more Presence in the Moment Life Like! Mike my old ears enjoy Analytical Resolution and Clarity to make up for their deficiencies now a days! Seductive Warmth of Tubes don't cut it anymore! Thanks Again
Mike, we wanna know what YOU think. You have way more experience than most of us. Plus you're actually in the room. Which did you prefer and why? And how big was the difference? I think streaming will eventually catch up to CD. According to Robert Harley, the Wadax streamer and DAC has already surpassed CD sound, but unfortunately the combined cost is over $200k, which obviously puts it out of reach for nearly all of us. On the other hand, maybe the MSB sound processor that you've said should be available soon can put top-notch streaming SQ within the reach of more of us. Fingers crossed.
Thanks Mike. I’ll do a video next week.
@@highendaudio Awesome. Can't wait!
#1 is more alive , number 2 is more musical but little subdue
Not in a bad way
They both sound good
I think number one is the taiko
According to my past experience, I was pretty sure A was CD and B was streaming. Streaming music has more variants affecting the final sound quality than a CD.
I can already tell. 1st Network, 2nd CD. I just know. And, I like CDs better.
Just saw ur vid. What ETHERNET cable r u using? That can make a big dif! Let me know. Thx.
I liked B better, but both are very close. If streaming needs more money to be spent, i'd prefer the CD. I think the first is CD , but the vocals in B are much clearer.
I prefer 2
Big difference in sound quality and staging. I prefer option B 😮
The fact they sound so different even over "You Tube" is remarkable! Did you normalise for loudness?
Nice
Both sound good. I am going with B. Listening through my phone. This was a nice comparison.
2nd sounds better to me
It wasn’t that easy to make a choice but I thought B sounded a little better but not sure why.
B is better by a mile. Warmer, less sibilant, better separation. A is muddled.
Im going with the second one
Great video, ‘A’ wins.
are those pixieglass diffusers behind the speakers? Who makes those what’s the brand?
Yes. www.diffusor.com
I like nr 2 , for me nr 1 is too bright . Maibe because my headphone ( B&W Px8 ) is brand new ? Not have burn in . It's possible this make to bright nr 1 . BR
magnifico.
B is much smoother to me with less sibilance.
Number 2 I enjoyed more.
I don't understand why high end audio demos are done via RUclips. To imply being able to discern serious discrimination from listening through any means to a home computer terminal I can not believe anyone should think it is reasonable. Even bypassing a computer's playback with HQ DAC to a real stereo can't convey what a serious listening room presents (mic pickup, RUclips channel limits,,,) Its nice to see dealership show rooms with real equipment - especially in Central Florida that is within reach.
Plain and simple it’s for fun not to be taken literally like many including yourself have done. It’s obvious that what is being heard via RUclips is different than what’s heard in real life but if you listen with headphones you can get a small snapshot of the tones good audio systems have.
@@Audiofreak71 Yes and same "distortions" apply to both so any difference you can hear is real even via You Tube, etc
@@daveuk1324 Um ok lol make up your mind either RUclips videos are a waste listening through RUclips or you can hear all the details even distortion. Either your confused on this subject or your trolling lol
@@Audiofreak71 Not trolling (!) making a sensible point that perhaps you didn't follow. You clearly cannot hear everything through You Tube owing to bandwidth and frequency limitations over You Tube and the particular characteristics of your own playback equipment. The bandwidth and frequency limitations over You Tube will be the same for both A and B. Hence, if you can hear a difference through You Tube, that difference must be real and quite obvious even if it's not exactly what you would hear in the room.
@@daveuk1324 Which brings me back to the first thing I said, it’s all for fun and not meant to be taken literally like some do like yourself apparently.
B, and I don't like many high end streamers in that they made the sound even thinner and lighter
Hope you are safe after storm.
My ears tell me that first one is CD and second is stream? The first sounds more resolved and complete. The soundstage and presentation is tighter and more real. I am listening through AirPods so could be wrong. The second sounds good too, but in comparison with the first, not nearly as good.
I like music...don't get me wrong...I'm also considering myself an audiophile...but it's just crazy and ridiculous how expensive is getting to listen to the music in just a tiny better quality!
I don't know which is which, but I listened to the first presentation straight through and got tired during the second and stopped listening.
B presentation was more realistic, better space 3D -like instead of 2D- like of A, also sounds were more "soak up" with content , more present in the room, unbelievable I was able immediately hear the difference on RUclips
nice, will do
B, better by a million miles 🎉
I thought vocal was less strident on B slightly more realistic.
@officialSuncoastAudio0 is this for real? If so how do I claim the prize?
Won’t this be dependent upon our own streamer and dac?
B
A sounds better to me - crisper and more fluid
The results? Its been several days?
For me “B” is better
Lets just follow the vids title - cd vs streaming, and conclude that the first one is cd 🤣👍
Wow, these speakers are so aggressive 😳
Clearly B
B wins. I grew irritated with the voice in A.
B is the streamer, much better!
A is crisper..
Why no X and only A and B? Do that and you will get a lot more accurate data.
@officialSuncoastAudio0 ???
I reported them
@@highendaudio Good, the bad grammar gave it away :-)
Who's the artist?
Bonnie Raitt
@@highendaudio Luck of the Draw album. Thank you!
@@tonytschida 👍
For me the same.
No appreciable difference.... It's splitting hairs
Audiophiles are kinda crazy
Listen with headphones. I think you’re in the minority. See the other comments.
A
I liked B better
what cd player?
He said it - listen again!!
Ridiculous on so many levels.
Thanks for watching. Let’s hear about your system.
@@highendaudio I mean that you can't broadcast what your are doing over the internet as there are so many flaws that it is meaningless. I have Vela 409 speakers driven by an Orchard Dual-Mono amp (not the little ones) with max caps.
No Contesta be much better
A 1:38
B 5:34
what are those giant ribbons I see up against the left wall!? 😍
Launching soon! We are the North American distributor. Come to the Florida Audio Expo (Feb 17-19) for the premier.
www.Clarisysaudio.ch
I was wondering the same thing about those panels on the left side as I still have a pair of Martin Logan CLS full range electrostatic BTW I like B
I think, second one sounds smoother and it CD.
Use qobuz myself. Maybe I'm used to it. Liked A better, which I think is the streamer. 🙏
B
Thks!
B
B
B
B
B
B
@officialSuncoastAudio0
So what did I win?