I stream from a PC running the full bit rate “premium” spotify, via a cabled USB connection into a Cambridge Audio DACmagic, using short balanced analogue audio cables into a tri-amp’d Bi-wired Arcam FMJ pre/dual power amp combo and then into some Kef refference speakers, and…….
Pretty disspointing, TBH, on Spotify compared to a “lossless” CD rip played on something like media player or VLC or similar. Really notice the compression and limited bandwidth compared to CD digital data. Playing lossless ripped CD’s, That setup is very nearly a match for my Arcam FMJ CD player playing from the master discs.
So, as mentioned above, using a quality DAC is recommended, for the convenience to stream lots of different music, but to get the best from it, and to rival direct from CD resolution, you’re gonna find Spotify as a source a bit disappointing.