[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!

[Elfunesto]

It may be that Spotify will fulfill its promise and release high quality audio before the end of the year, but the lack of communicaftion is absloutely astoundishing. What is the point ? Why stating in February that we will come with a HiFi tier during the year and not telling a work for 10 months and suddently release it ? It makes no sense and it is not the first time that Spotify doesn't communicate with the subscribers.

I read the WhatHiFi article and understand their point. At the same time and even if it is important for a limited number of users, Spotify would provide a lesser service than its competitors. Really ?

As I enter now in my Holidays break, I will test Tidal and decide at the end of the trial period with which service I will continue with...

[Elfunesto]

By the way, see the link below for a news on the "For the Record" site that give 5 reasons to switch to "premium". Not a word about sound quality. In particular, no mention of a future "HiFi" tier. Which makes me think that it is not coming soon...

https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-11-30/5-reasons-to-switch-to-spotify-premium-this-holiday-season/

[user-removed]

Spotify has failed!

[Audioplayer]

@Elfunesto

I wouldn’t waste your money or time with Tidal until at least they stop using MQA which is what their “Masters” versions are. They are lossy files and not lossless audio like Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Music offer. Try all of them instead and decide which you prefer as at least they are offering full unadulterated quality files for your money where Tidal is not. Granted they all have different features and user interfaces which may make a difference to some people but for sound quality you are better going elsewhere than Tidal for now if you have a choice in your country of the world. Do understand that there are other sound quality limitations with Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Music depending on how you plan to use them thus leaving only Qobuz for true sound quality (which is why most real audiophiles prefer it over the others no mater what HiFi News says about it as they have been showing bias towards MQA because their authors are shills) and it does sound better than the rest if you are one who can hear the difference between all of the services.

[Audioplayer]

@Soundquality

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XV-fIslPBsc

[Elfunesto]

@Audioplayer
Thanks for your message. I am aware that MQA is not a lossless format and would love to go with Qobuz. However, for a strange reason Qobuz is not available in Canada and as such I have to go with another provider. Using a BluOS device (Bluesound through a Hegel amplifier/DAC), I feel that Spotify and Tidal are better integrated, but I might be wrong (it seems that Amazon might be integrated but I don't see Apple). Also, I like the family option on Spotify and Tidal. That's why I really hope for Spotify HiFi to come out soon.

[Audioplayer]

@Elfinesto

You are in luck if you want to try Amazon Music as well because the Bluesound you are using is one of only two that properly work for sound quality with Amazon Music. Amazon Music also offers a family plan for up to 6 people if you care to try it as well. Otherwise if Spotify would stop being so arrogant…

[hans-jürgen]

@Elfunesto: As far as I know, Deezer supports HiFi streaming with BluOS and is available in Canada, also with a Family tier and a free trial. It does not offer HD resolution though if you want to have that, but according to Spotify's announcement they will also offer only CD quality "in select markets".

Here is a link to the Bluesound support forum:

https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115009617808-Deezer-HiFi#:~:text=On%20your%2....

[user-removed]

Since I'm 99% sure Spotify HiFi isn't coming in the next two weeks, I just canceled my Premium membership.

While I'll miss Spotify Connect, I feel no amount of complaining on the internet will make it happen any faster. So for now I'll be using my 6-month trial of Apple Music. If/when Spotify provides HiFi, I'll reevaluate. Hopefully, this sends a stronger message as they don't seem to pay much attention to the thousands of posts in this forum. 

Nah, it's not that hard. Buh-bye! 👋

[Dismiss]

Well, personally I have stayed in the forum, not the service, hoping that
some day I might get the whole package. Spotify has the best catalogue and
device/social ecosystem out there, no question about it. So, even if I'm
using another service at the moment (TIDAL to be exact), I would like to
return to Spotify if they finally offer sound quality that's up to par for
2021, sorry, make that 2022. Sheesh.