[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!

[robigouk]

Into another week and still no sign....  I've tried Amazon Music HD and you can clearly hear the difference but the whole platform is not as good as Spotify (with Spotify connect).  Sigh.....so I (we all 26,292 of us) wait.

[mrhank3y]

Try Apple Music. It’s better. But then I have an iPhone, but my son is on Android and Apple Music sounds great on his device. 

[robigouk]

So this week I've tried Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited.  Here's my thoughts:-

Apple Music - sounds good (better than Spotify) but I'm an Android user and the whole app and iTunes on my PC was a mess - didn't last more than an hour or so before uninstalling/cancelling subscription.

Amazon Music Unlimited - the best sounding for me (dolby / ultra hd tracks you can clearly easily hear the difference), the app is ok but still nowhere near as good as Spotify's.  I've got a 3 month free trial but if I'm honest I reckon i'll be sticking with Spotify... and waiting... waiting.... waiting.... for HiFi.  It's so frustrating (it must be even worse for people who have invested in expensive home HiFi systems where they have the amazing Spotify Connect but no sound quality to back it up.)

Spotify c'mon - you have the best everything except sound quality, give you loyal fans what they want!

[Dmitrу]

Why would you need lossless steaming when it's not even possible to see and listen to all the songs in the Library? Even such a very basic feature is missing in this ill service!

[TIgapi]

when/date spotify hifi will be available pls ? 

It's a pity for those who invest in high quality amp/speakers and can only beefit of MP3 quality...

The difference with any other music streaming provider (loseless) is huge !

date please !

[PaulMac]

@Tigapi

You want an actual date for when HiFi will be available? I think that's extremely unfair of you, to put such pressure on the poor folk at Spotify. They're only doing their best, working on far more urgent matters such as the new TikTok interface. 

I mean it's not as if they made a huge song and dance about the imminent arrival of HiFi at the Stream-On event over 2 years ago. Oh wait.... 

[mrhank3y]

Spotify couldn't care less about Lossless.  Proven by their reluctance to deliver when all other platforms have.

Spotify cares more about selling your data to Facebook and paying Podcasters than they do music artists and music lovers.

The best thing is just to move onto the free Spotify service and transfer your playlists and libraries to an additional service with lossless. There are many and you'll find one you'll like: Apple, Amazon, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer. You can still share music and playlists with your friends on Spotify, through the many third parties like Soundiiz. 

For anyone wondering, it is well worth it, if you listen to decent speakers at home and/or have a car audio system that supports lossless.

Don't pay ANY attention to all those that say you can't hear the difference...  You can hear the difference.

Even if you don't think you can, that's your brain filling in the missing sound (it's good at that, we evolved with that ability for other reasons). But it's fatiguing. Over time, say 1/2 hour+, listening to lossy music becomes uncomfortable and unenjoyable and you don't realise why until you listen to Lossless, which you can enjoy for hours at a time. Plus, every now and again you'll hear something in one of your favourite songs that was completely missing on Spotify and that's when you realise what they've been stealing from you all this time. Just so they can make bigger profits from you while they pay the artists you love a pittance. 

[TheMechanic4657]

Thanks a lot. I'm sure right now that I move on to apple music on my samsung galaxy s21 ultra. Goodbye Spotify... Hello Apple Music! 

[Visionary1]

Yep, may be heading to Qobuz.  I am been exceedingly patient for Spotify HIFI.  Since Spotify radio silence on this matter after teasing us is unnerving.  Ready to move.  

[petsy48]

Qobuz finally came to Canada. I was with Amazon HD after waiting for Spotify HD for many years. The sound was much better but the UI was bad. The Android app was complete junk. Even though I've got over 7 months left on my Amazon HD yearly subscription, I'm so tired of waiting for Amazon to fix things, I'm on the Qobuz band wagon and it is simply AMAZING!🎶🎵🎸🎼