This is all correct regarding my intent. Copying anything from CD is not on my radar to begin with; rather my reference to CD was to say what level of SQ I was after as a base-line. Unfortunately, I'm such a <noob, that I'm not using all of the correct terminology, and probably misunderstanding much of it as well. I know I need to study, and read up on all this. For example, Lossless vs Lossy. What the heck is that! So, I think I have enough new terminology now to choke on for a while, and do some homework to understand. Perhaps after I've done my due diligence with the homework, I'll be able to better form my questions and come back here for another tutorial.
As I see the topography of this whole topic the MAIN categories are as follows:
1. Music Software Formats:
- Music file format. Varies according to sound quality, where it comes from, where it will be used, how it will be stored, how it will be played back.
- Downloading Music software, programs vary by PC operating system, music source provider, music file format to be downloaded, destination for download.
- Playback sw, varies iaw which music file format you are using, and from where it's being sourced.
- Music recording (ripping?), the sw varies according to all the above.
2. Hardware:
- Generally one needs a PC with access to internet to obtain the music files.
- One can obtain music files stored on portable drives such as USB hard drives, or thumbdrives.
- One can play the music files either from a local storage device, or from direct streaming off the internet or some other remote server, via wireless or direct connection.
- Playback HW will vary according all the above. From one or more of following: PC, DAC, multifunction players, etc.
Maybe some suggestions or links for recommended readings would help at this point.
You need to be concerned with the provenance of recordings (i.e., the quality of the original recording), plus the format of the consumer deliverable.
Regarding deliverables, CD is 16bit/44.1kHz, vs. some “hi-res” formats are 24bit/192kHz (e.g., FLAC downloads, Pure Audio Pure-Ray discs), vs. DSD “single bit” hi-res format (e.g. SACDs, and DSD downloads).
One of the most fundamental principles of hi-fi: garbage-in / garbage-out.
Most modern recordings are made, and mastered, in hi-res (24bit/192kHz) digital PCM format, or hi-res DSD (single-bit) format. The issue is whether you buy the recording in this hi-res format, or if you buy a deliverable that has been “down sampled” into the 30+ year-old CD format (or some highly compressed format that is optimized for portability vs. audio quality). In a “lossy” format, the music has been compressed in such a way that part of the music content cannot be recovered – in other words the audio quality is irrevocably compromised.
Some vintage analog recordings have been re-mastered into hi-res, in some cases using the original analog master tapes. In some cases, the results are excellent. For example,
some of the SACDs remastered from RCA Living Stereo classical recordings from the 1950s (in some cases 2 channel, others 3 channel) deliver remarkably good audio quality. (Specifically, Heifetz’s 1955 performance of Beethoven Violin Concerto in D sounds surprisingly good.) OTOH, I have a CD of the famous 1942 Furtwangler performance of Beethoven Symphony 9 that was originally recorded from an over-the-air broadcast onto seven 12” 78rpm “Decelith” discs – and the audio quality is, of course, poor – regardless of re-mastering. (Never mind Caruso recordings that are more than 100 years old.)
If you haven’t already done so, you might consider joining discussion forum(s) for the various types of music you like. IME this is a great way to learn more about music, and learn more about specific recordings.
I’ve learned a lot about classical music and opera from talkclassical.com, and I’ve benefited from specific recommendations for recordings. (I don’t see anything in the AK rules that prohibit mentioning other forums. I trust an admin will weigh in, if needed.) I’m considering opening threads on talkclassical.com sometime this winter: i) audio hi-res
multi-channel classical recordings that have excellent audio quality (e.g., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray, multi-channel DSD download), and ii) audio hi-res
stereo (2 channel) classical recordings that have excellent audio quality (e.g., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray, DSD & FLAC downloads), and iii)
video hi-res classical recordings that have excellent video & audio quality (e.g., Blu-ray, UHD).
If you find hi-res recordings that you’d like to own, you’ll discover which formats that your equipment must support. (As I’ve said before, I suggest getting a “universal player” that supports all formats, so that you have the maximum flexibility in acquiring new hi-res recordings.)
There are new ways to enjoy music that 30+ year-old digital technology (CDs) can’t deliver – specifically, hi-res audio, multi-channel hi-res audio, and hi-res audio/video.
+ 
