[All Platforms][Music] HiFi Quality - Lossless Streaming 16bit 44.1khz

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

** please don't lump this suggestion with the main one on lossless downloads, that's a different idea entirely guys!

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

[timiambeing]

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

[lappymusicman]

Happy with Tidal now so don’t think I’ll bother moving as it’s cheaper as well.

[tts42572]

I just downloaded tidal yesterday so can't really say too much about it yet.  

I use streamers just for music so that's all I care about.  And I don't care about recommendations, social sharing, podcasts, audio books or whatever else.

Anyways, so far so good.  It took me all of about 5 minutes to transfer all my playlists over.  And even just streaming in my car I'm noticing increased quality in many cases.  I'm not sure technically if it's better since bluetooth limits quality but it sure still sounds better to my ears.  I'm planning to do some research to do something in my home so I can take better advantage of the quality from tidal over wifi instead of just streaming to a bluetooth speaker.  I'm thinking about getting some powered speakers and some sort of internet streamer like Wiim Pro or something.  Basically I've opened up a whole new level of thinking lol.

I'm going to live with Tidal over the next 30 days and keep comparing to Spotify and then make a decision.

[user-removed]

The problem with Tidal is they have a 10k limit on tracks in your library. Spotify no longer has any limit.  I have 50 k tracks in my library. 

[petsy48]

When I heard how much Spotify is paying artists compared to Qobuz, why
should I switch to Supremium. Qobuz sounds great and is getting better
everyday and is a much better deal all around.💲

[mctesterson]

Love that, @petsy48 ....

Qobuz isn't the ideal user-interface (there's no shortage of criticisms and complaints about how it lacks this or that compared to competitors ...  but for music fans who prioritize the highest possible streaming sound quality, and more-equitable than most others' payment of per-play, it's an easy - and IMHO the best - choice.

[user-removed]

The qobuz app is terrible , no watch streaming and downloads take forever.  Their music library is weak too compared to Spotify. Their organization of music is poor and so is their music discovery and playlists. 

[PaulMac]

https://www.whathifi.com/news/spotify-hifi-could-be-here-soon-but-it-will-cost-you 

So if the rumours are correct Spotify, already having raised its prices twice in a year, is now considering an additional an 40% mark-up for HiFi. Despite the fact their competitors include it as part of their standard package. 

I'm guessing this will have about the same level of success as Twitter had with charging for the blue check🤣

[MLos70]

To all those who want HiRes; I recommend switching to Qobuz (or another streaming service).  It's a little  more expensive,  but it's worth it.  I subscribed last week, and will be cancelling my Spotify subscription before the next monthly payment.  I admit, Spotify IS more user friendly, but that doesn't make up for the bad streaming quality.  When I play the same songs on Qobuz in my car, it's a completely different experience.  With some songs I even noticed that there were lyrics (whispered) where I can only hear music in Spotify... That's how big a difference HiRes makes. And honestly, once I got started with Qobuz, I got the hang of it pretty welll.  I do have to say that, the day when Spotify offers HiRes (without being more expensive than Qobuz) I might switch back to Spotify.  

[rollerotr]

PaulMac (Roadie) Count me in as one of the customers willing to pay 40%
more! No service has the UI and depth of choice as Spotify.
Right now I pay for multiple services, spotify, qobuz, tidal and apple
music...a fistful of money. Way more than a $20-25 subscription to a full
service new Spotify!!
Isn't that we all want? One service that does it all??

[rollerotr]

Seriously folks, why would we all be pining for a lossless Spotify if all the other lossless services provided the same level of UI performance? 

So, who among us that continue to post in this sub/thread wouldn't be willing to pay Tidal's original cost of $19.99 for the same level (24/44.1 is adequate) of audio with their superior UI? 

For me, a budget audiophile, a combination of Spotify UI, new tools for playlists, breadth of catalog, audiobooks,...I'll gladly pay $25 so I can drop the multiple services I am subscribed to. I've tried them all.

Only Apple Music, IMO, compares, but....they do not allow third party streaming so tethering your Apple device is a must. Not a solution for me.