Streaming

We have introduced some streaming components to our portfolio but only after extensive and careful listening tests for sound quality. Up until this point, we have been disappointed with the flat, compressed sound of this medium, when compared to a good CD player. Streaming from subscription services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon HD, etc, still does not compete with the same music played from a CD via a competent CD player.

We therefore regard streaming as being a complimentary technology to the best physical sources available, CD and Vinyl, as opposed to a replacement of these well-established, well proven formats. Streaming offers convenience for casual listening, discovering new music, sampling music prior to purchase, or creating background music playlists.

After extensive auditions of many of the best brands in this arena, two stood out to us on sound quality: Audiolab and Innuos. Both offer exceptional sound quality from physical sources as well as offering a competent sound from streaming but have a different take on this area.

Innuos has its history in computer based equipment only. Their units give the ability to quickly rip CDs to internal storage and then serve this data (along with other streaming services and attached storage) to the network, or direct to the audio system, or to a separate DAC.

Both brands offer a more natural sound than most other streaming products at their respective price points and are solely audio-focused in their design and build.