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[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!

[timiambeing]

Good news!

Lossless audio quality is finally starting to roll out to Spotify Premium users! 🔊

Check out this post for more info:

➜ Spotify Premium: Now Streaming in Lossless Quality

[ryananding]

I like Spotify, but I'll jump ship for better audio once its viable in the US.

[student42]

I like Spotify's user interface and client, but I as well am about ready to switch to a lossless streaming service in addition to setting up my own personal music server (~5000 albums) to get the lossless content that I am after. Much of the soul of the music is missing in Spotify's stream.

Also, I am even skeptical about the real quality of Spotify's 320kbs advertised stream rate. I have the high quality audio setting enabled and the music is suppose to be streaming at 320kbs, but when compared to music encoded at 320kbs on my computer using  the same external DAC there is an obvious difference in audio quality. I do not know why that is.

I have been a Spotify premium subscriber for a few years, but will be no longer in a few short weeks unless Spotify stops being complacent. 

[timiambeing]

Ok I know this is produced by a hi-fi company - but it's a very interesting documentary and especially addresses the quality of streaming and downloads - we all know this but it's great to see such a lot of cash spent on a quality film about it! 

http://youtu.be/mDZcz-V29_M

[Dablocks]

I agree with a lot of these posts. I truly love Spotify...for discovery...but not so much when it comes to quality. I'd pay more per month for lossless streaming. 

[lotos96]

by lotos96 on ‎01-07-2014 06:40 PM

At the moment, flac is still a relatively uncommon format"

are you for real??? or not really listening to an important group of music lovers with audio systems

Bottom line is that it probably doesn't fit in the businessmodel and you don't care about the little investmement you would have to make

Are you a music service provider who wants to make money or commercial wankers, that's the question

Someone is deleting my kudo's  😉

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[lotos96]

At the moment, flac is still a relatively uncommon format"

are you for real??? or not really listening to an important group of music lovers with audio systems

Bottom line is that it probably doesn't fit in the businessmodel and you don't care about the little investmement you would have to make

Are you a music service provider who wants to make money or commercial wankers, that's the question

Someone is deleting my kudo's  😉

[Grahamps]

Hey Spotify,

Here's a link (shortened by me) I received this morning on how Orastream works: http://goo.gl/cHyUPK

Please, strongly consider this methodology. Given that you offer a world class catalog of music, using the Orastream technology will position your service for the absolute highest fidelity forever. If any weenies want to compare your Orastrem-powered service to their 24/192 file, let them. Practically speaking, the conversation about streaming quality would be over. Now, conversations about encoding methods, updating the catalog to take advantage of the playback capabilities, and anything related to playback issues might persist, but we'd no longer demand that Spotify do something about the capability to stream high-rez.

I think I said in an earlier post that I genuinely believe a move like this would be profound for the world. By its adoption, millions of people would begin enjoying sonic quality far beyond anything they ever have. I guess that Spotify+Orastream would truly be disruptive. Contact Kelvin Lee at klee@mp4sls.com about this!

Peace.

[imgyan]

QUBOZ is good and WIMP HI FI is cool.Come on Spotify you are loosing grounds.

[timiambeing]

TIDAL – The First High Fidelity Music Streaming Service with HD Music Videos and Curated Editorial – Announces U.S. and UK Fall Launch

I think there is nothing more to say here, nice knowing you Spotify and thanks for all the fish!!

Oslo, Norway - September 3, 2014 -- WiMP HiFi, the award-winning Scandinavian music streaming service, today announced it will introduce TIDAL to the U.S. and the UK later this fall. Unlike any other service currently on the market, TIDAL will offer high fidelity sound quality, high definition music videos, and curated editorial, tailor made by experienced music journalists.

See more at: http://www.twice.com/thewire/tidal-first-high-fidelity-music-streaming-service-hd-music-videos-and-c...

Edit:Link to other service removed./FredJ

[Fred]

There is no other idea in this community that I want to see implemented as much as this one! All my offline music is 24/96 flac - streaming cd quality would be so much better than what is now offered (though ofcourse I want 24/96 for streams as well, but not all artists/labels offer that even for offline)

I hope to see this implemented really soon! 

[mazze_germany]

I also hear the difference on my denon pma 1510 + canton karat 795 speakers. I will switch to wimp as soon as it's implemented in the heos link network player since spotify has announced that they will not support lossless streaming somewhere else in this forum already.