Audio Sources

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Old Favorites & New Directions

Thanks largely to the internet, the range of available music sources has expanded dramatically over the last decade or so. Traditional music media such as CDs and AM/FM radio have been eclipsed by digital radio services (XM and Sirius, for example), cable and satellite music, internet downloads (iTunes), and other forms of audio streaming.

Advantages

The music content now available via the internet can satisfy even the most bored or jaded listener. The advantages of streaming include:

Ease of Use

Once properly set up, convenience is outstanding: no commercials, no sorting through discs, no misplaced discs or lost cases, easy access from multiple platforms (smartphone, tablet), Wi-Fi connectivity (all the way from personal digital devices to dedicated home music systems), and enhanced control over content categories. For larger collections, though, the management of songs can be complicated.

Dynamic Range

Most modern digital recordings and transmissions have a much wider dynamic range potential than do old analog sources, like LPs and AM/FM radio. This is the ability to capture the full dynamic range of music as it is performed, from the softest to the loudest notes. For classical and jazz, this can be very important musically. But dynamic range is less critical for popular music, which lacks as much variation from softest to loudest sounds.

Limitations

For some audio sources, full integration into your home entertainment plans may involve some limitations:

  • The dynamic range of streamed music is often compressed to save bandwidth and storage space. As a consequence, much of the subtle detail can be lost. If you’re listening on a smartphone, you probably won’t notice the difference. But on a high-quality home audio system, the difference can be dramatic. Fortunately, new systems are now available to permit loss-less digital transmission of music.
  • Most cable and satellite TV providers offer a wide range of digital music. But they typically require a video display for navigation—not so practical for audio-only systems.
  • Streaming and on-line music purchases have dramatically undercut CD sales, resulting in their reduced availability.
  • Universal Players. SACD (Super Audio CD) and DVD-Audio technologies were developed to revolutionize recorded music by enhancing dynamic range, plus playing all formats. But they never succeeded in the marketplace. As a result, these specialty players are essentially gone. However, a few manufacturers still offer Universal Disc Players that play these formats, plus CD, DVD, and Blu-ray.
  • There’s been a big resurgence of interest in LP turntables among audiophiles. But most players have manual controls only, making them essentially impossible to integrate into automated systems. Also, they typically require a phono preamp input, which is no longer available on most surround receivers (although high-quality accessory phono pre-amps are readily available).
  • With the number of source types continuing to increase, system integration has become more complex, and the individual sources have become more difficult to use—unless a universal remote control system is added to tame all the technology. Also, surround receivers may lack enough inputs (of the right type) to accommodate all the audio sources. For ease of use, simplify whenever feasible—for example, by using a universal disc player, or by retiring an old turntable.