[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!

[PaulMac]

Nice find @Samppa3:

Here’s what our CEO, Daniel Ek, had to say:
“Almost four years. That’s how long it’s been since Spotify filed a complaint against Apple with the European Commission, and we are still waiting on a decision. And while we wait, Apple continues to dictate what online innovation looks like, doing serious harm to the internet economy, choking competition and the imagination of app developers

Hilarious coming from the company who have has so far spent over $1bn in its attempt to dominate the podcast world. Buying up rights to more and more shows, including the exclusive licensing deal with Joe Rogan. And just look at how well that one turned out😊

[likeabbas]

How much longer do we have to wait?!?! I don't want to keep having to use Amazon Music for my lossless streaming anymore. 

[londonguy73]

so go elsewhere. tidal has everything Spotify has but better quality. qobuz has even better quality but not quite all the features but is the best if you just listen to albums. 

no point asking Spotify about lossless, they don't want it and will only rip you off if they ever decide to launch it. 

[Barrowboy]

I've given up waiting. Started using Amazon. The increase in music quality is incredible. Spotify now's sound muffled through my Cambridge hifi.

[tos82]

I have Golf 8 with Harman/Kardon sound system. Car has Tidal installed on infotainment. Sound quality difference is huge.
Golf does not have CD player at all. 
I still don't like using Tidal.

I tried Apple music, but did not like using it, just like Tidal.

[Aquarius17]

Spotify: music sounds like in a straitjacket 🙉

HiFi: music sounds like with arms wide open 😍 (much more details, width and bass)

[soboyle]

I listen to obscure music (98%tile on Obscurify) and TIDAL has all the artists Spotify does plus higher sound quality and pays artists more. Best of all though, no podcasts or ads for audiobooks.

[JEnglishSmith]

If they raise the price without providing hi-fi as an option, I will look elsewhere. I like their library and interface but I think their attitude is increasingly out of step with people who are serious about music.

[Tbkstone]

I just started Spotify and love the app layout and the mixes.   I still have Amazon music for the higher quality hi res.  I would ditch Amazon if Spotify gets on board with better quality. I’m still back and forth which service to dump.  Please help Spotify to make this decision a no brainer; please step up. 

[ClinPathVet]

Hey everyone, just need to blow off some steam.  Apologies if this is the wrong space to do so.  I'm a 10-year Spotify Premium user and audiophile. With the exception of audio quality, Spotify is dominant across the board compared to other music streaming services. Despite Spotify having a superior user interface, among other features, audio quality is what I personally deem most important. Due to Spotify not upholding its claim of releasing a higher-quality audio format, I've admittedly begun the process of transferring all of my playlists and songs to Apple Music because they have lossless. On a final note, I wholeheartedly despise Apple Music's layout and user interface (their song queueing features are garbage), but the better audio quality is worth the hassle. If a format equivalent to lossless is not released by Spotify, I will be canceling the premium account that I've had for 10 years.