[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!

[Ynohifi]

How much music in lossless quality have you downloaded since Spotify Hifi was announced?

For me, its around 700GB (30days of continuous music). I only started about a year ago, when I got tired of waiting.

Those 30 Days of music I will never ever stream from Spotify.

I'm running my own personal lossless audio streaming service through PLEX and PLEX Amp.

What I dont have, Ill stream and eventually download from Qobuz.

[LawLee]

Hey Qobuz converts!
Did you know Qobuz has its own community space like this called Qobuz Club? Jazz | Qobuz Club

Like Reddit but with class...

[janpeeters]

I just switched to Tidal. Main reasons, the better audio quality, integration with Plexamp and DJ apps.
But also the last UI refresh (sidebar) pushed me away. It seems Spotify has too many designers that constantly need to change something because they think it’s better. But UX degrades.
Tidal is not perfect but it’s more basic and doesn’t give me the feeling that I’m ‘sold’ music that I didn’t ask for. You can feel the promoted content seeping through. 
The algorithmic playlists of Spotify are second to none but if you can live without these and the social features then Tidal is a splendid option. 

[Lilac1]

I finally signed up for Apple Music, seeing as it now has an official Windows 11 client with lossless audio quality. So nice to hear new details in my favorite songs. Also, it's much easier for the ears during long listening sessions, since my brain no longer has to fill in the blanks from Spotify's lossy file compression.

I used soundiiz to transfer my entire song library, and I recommend that service to anyone reading this post.

Also, no more podcasts shoved down my throat ❤️

[stadi1]

I finally signed up for Tidal, and the music quality is definitely better. The whole experience is also better than Qobuz, and there is less missing, but unfortunately stuff is still missing for me. Also, Android Auto is much worse than Spotify, so this might be a deal-breaker for me, as I rely a lot on AA. The Tidal UI is also not that great, they also have their irritating things, like this live whatever. I don't know what it is, I don't care what it is but it is always at the second place in my UI. Also updates don't load in my app, so I won't see new releases from artists I follow, this is also a deal-breaker.

[petsy48]

I'm a little bit surprised that You left Qobuz for Tidal. I've tried all
the music streamers and I'm so impressed with Qobuz over all the others
including Tidal. I especially love Qobuz in Android Auto. It's like
upgraded a couple of levels in my car audio player. Long as You're happy
though, that's what's important. Enjoy!!!

[stadi1]

Qobuz had much more artist / albums missing that I am listening to. Tidal still has some missing that I'm listening to on Spotify though, but it's a bit better. Also Tidal's Android Auto implementation is also better. Qobuz doesn't even have a recently listened to section. All in all, in every regard Spotify is better, other than  sound quality. I know, you can't customize Spotify's UI, which I hate, but nor can you customize it in Qobuz or Tidal (which is also bad).

[LawLee]

Best Music Streaming Service of 2023 - CNET

There's a nuanced message in this latest article about streaming services. Qobuz has pushed Tidal out of the third position into the "you might consider category". both Tidal and Cobas have pushed Amazon music way down in the review space. Amazon really needs to work on their UI and their apps to be competitive. It shows that even with cheap music you've got to have a good ecosystem to play it.

For me Apple music is a nonstarter. They don't support bit perfect playback on Windows PC's or Android. Same thing for Tidal I don't want to buy dedicated hardware for that dumpster fire that is MQA just to get substandard high res music. Go Qobuz. Taking the third spot is quite an accomplishment for this little upstart company beating out Amazon, Tidal and Deezer et cetera...

[stadi1]

By the way, Tidal is about to introduce FLAC for their highest tier (they will still keep MQA as on option): https://www.whathifi.com/news/tidal-is-introducing-hi-res-flac-to-its-hifi-plus-subscription-tier

This means, that their highest tier will get more interesting once this is available. I am still open to give Qobuz a chance in the future, but I need them to work on their catalogue, their Android Auto app and their recommendations.

[LawLee]

Why would anyone pay $19.95 for Tidal to get Hi Res when you can get that from Amazon, Apple, Qobuz and Deezer for as low as  $8.95???

Tidal has a history of missteps. MQA is just the latest of a number of footbullets that they injured themselves with. They're in an unenviable position now. I don't think they have any choice but to back away from MQA. But there's more to this nasty little story...

They've been serving unfolded MQA files to people claiming that these were lossless files on their $9.95 HiFi tier, misrepresenting what comes out of their service.

See: Tidal 'HiFi' is NOT lossless - GoldenSound

       I published music on Tidal to test MQA - MQA Review - YouTube

How does Tidal keep those folks who like MQA when their MQA catalog stops growing, and at the same time try to keep those audiophiles who have been alienated by their dishonesty?

I don't think MQA going into administration is the end of this. I think Tidal is seriously, if not fatally wounded by marrying themselves to MQA.

Though I can't help but be amused when I consider the so-called expert audio reviewers who lauded MQA, who now have taken a hit to their credibility in the eyes of many. Not many of them are commenting on the insolvency of MQA.

Posers!