[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!

[ZeroStarx]

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@HenrikStevn wrote:

CD quality PCM is just what all lossy compression formats decode to. A DAC doesn't understand Ogg or MP3 or AAC or Opus and so on.

There goes my hope of Lossless on Spotify

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[bzero]

@holland791 : don't spread**bleep**. 320kbps is the bit rate of the data stream whereas 44.1 kHz is the sampling rate (CDs also use 44.1 kHz as sampling rate). So just keep calm, Spotify still sounds like **bleep** compared to Tidal today...

[MathiasLaubli]

Well that is extremely interesting news indeed. How did you go about
getting the information from your unit?

[bzero]

@MathiasLaubli Please stop spreading false news. Spotify didn't update anything with regards to music quality... see my earlier comment. 

[holland791]

My bad. Obviously got overexcited. I will stick with Tidal for the MQA

[holland791]

Not spreading false news. This just confused me as software on my receiver
had updated recently. Changed my speakers and cables also. Just surprised
how good things sound! I have attached a photo of display for evidence of
my mistake.

[abvolt]

Right on Spotify is mp3 (320 kbp) period I'm now enjoying 24 bit 44.1 up to
192 huge difference in sound quality check out Qobuz well worth a
try..enjoy guys

[MLFlux]

I am sorry to say that I have experienced a range of issues with Qobuz.

Playlists not updating, search results that miss the mark, favorites not being registered properly. No drag and drop functionality, no black background option.

When it comes to sound quality, playlist curation and useful information Qobuz is lovely and quite expansive.

But it is nowhere near the ease of use that Spotify offers.

Spotify give me best of both worlds. Their quality with your interface. I will pay!

[johan-sson]

Nothing fancy, nothing special, plain old CD-quality would be such an upgrade! C'mon, it'll be fun!

[cubeover]

Me too, liking TIDAL's quality but loving Spotify's suggestion algorithm.

Can we have it all?