Streaming - A Q&A Guide

This page changes as questions are added and answered

Digital Streaming, or DS systems, are the hot topic just now, and rightly so.

While early examples were dismissed as poor quality and low end, our crop of new systems have broken through the glass ceiling to move way above cd and some people, (heresy here) have even suggested that it eclipses the best of LPs!

Many of you know how much I love my vinyl however, DS can be better, it depends on the original source. 24bit on DS is better than vinyl. There. I said it. My glorious 1950s and 60s jazz collection is better on vinyl, perhaps because some cd transfers were not good. 80s and early 90s cds are a mixed bag, some are better on vinyl and some not depending on the mastering. It's an argument I can pick the material for and win it either way for fun. Generally, Linn DS has no 'cd signature' and outperforms all cd players. There. More heresy!

Here are some frequently asked useful questions, send me your question and I will add it here.

Q What is streaming?

Any system that takes sound from a hard drive to an ampliifer can be said to be streaming. Taking it further, the music can be streamed around the house to local amplifiers/speakers or an all-in-one box.

Just because it is streaming doesn't ensure that it is any good. Streaming systems can run from lowly MP3/ipod level right up to 24 bit master tape level. The quality of the source, the digital to analogue conversion, the amplifiers, and the speakers all play their part in how good the music can be.

Q My ipod sounds pretty ordinary, how can streaming sound better than cd?

A Two parts to this:

1   Companies such as Linn and Cyrus have worked really hard to design systems that capture all the information from your ipod or itunes library. That same work has paid real dividends when listening to Spotify through Linn DS

2   By ripping your cd collection to a drive at the highest quality your starting point is already way above ipod performance. Downloading 24 bit master quality is much better again

Q Can I use Apple or does it have to be Windows?

A Depends on your system but with the systems that Lyric approve you can use either

Q Why will it change the way we listen to music?

A Having your collection at your fingertips, and access to 8,000,000 songs online, instantly, transforms your listening habits. Services are now adding more metadata, so not just artist and track but more band member details, who else they have played with, etc. It makes it more like having a double album with gatefold sleeve and proper artwork!

Q How do I start, do I need to have a computer on all the time?

A If you use your computer to store your music yes, however we recommend having a separate NAS drive which sits on all the time connected to your router without the need for your computer at all.

Q Why have Linn stopped making cd players?

A As the pioneers of streaming Linn saw the potential ahead of other manufacturers and want to give hifi enthusiasts the best advice. Their point is why buy an expensive cd player when you can have much better performance from our DS systems. If you still need a cd player then use a cheaper one, or keep your existing one, and concentrate your money on the real performance improvement to be had from Linn DS.

Further to this advice Linn put their money where their mouth is and discontinued the cd player format. A brave step. Rather than ekeing out the last cd sales let's move forward.

Q Why do you see Linn as the pioneers in this with so many others in the magazines?

A The way other manufacturers have rushed into this behind Linn is using cd dac technology that is good, but not the best for streaming from a low-noise, non cd based source. No one else has used a radical type of low noise differential dac exclusively for streamed sources. In any case have a listen for yourself and decide. 

Q How much will it cost to try this?

A If we take it that you have an existing hifi then with Sonos it can be as little as £ 320 plus a controller  makes it £599,  or use an iphone

Step up to Cyrus and £ 1400 includes a NAS drive to store your music and a Cyrus Controller

Linn at £ 999 works with an iPod touch/iPhone/iPad, plus add £ 100-150 for a NAS drive.

Higher performance levels jump to £ 1880, 2595, £4500, £12995!

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