Streaming has become the mainstay of modern listening, yet the humble CD (and the elegant vinyl) both still hold a quiet edge.
I’m often asked if physical discs are dead, and the honest answer is no. Streaming is how most of us discover and consume music today. It’s convenient, nearly limitless, and in many cases sounds remarkably good.
A good transport feeding a quality DAC provides a stable, low-jitter signal that’s hard to fault—though the streamer built into the PMG DAC and the AirLens are both measuring about the same low jitter.
High-resolution streaming services now deliver 24-bit files that exceed CD specs by a long shot.
The real point isn’t which wins. It’s that we’ve reached a moment where convenience no longer demands major sacrifice. For discovery and everyday enjoyment, streaming is a gift.
For those evenings when I want every last ounce of performance, the CD and SACD remain a trusted reference.
Either way, the goal is the same: closing my eyes and forgetting about the source altogether.
0 comments