Alvarado
pfm Member
I'm surprised there's not much love for Hi-Res. I listen to Qobuz, mostly on the second system in the kitchen, the source is a Bluesound Node 2i. If you were putting my second system together now you could do so for a bit more than a grand - it's not rubbish but it's hardly top end. I've trialled HR (not MQA, just standard HR) versus CD versions (Qobuz often gives you the choice), it's not night and day difference but usually HR sounds better, and on some albums the difference is quite apparent, to the extent that I could likely tell the difference in a blind test (on others, not). So now when I have the choice when choosing between a CD or HR quality stream I always choose the HR version. Fair enough, it could be about the recording/mastering quality but if I were replacing a streamer (or streaming service) I'd definitely prefer something that can play HR. Not sure I'd pay a lot extra for it mind (you don't have to), just that I'd want the capacity.
Your mileage may differ, and many people's does, apparently.
Your mileage may differ, and many people's does, apparently.