[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!

[HenrikStevn]

@jerrysander

Tidal sounds different, not necessarily better. You're very likely to think Tidal sounds better, because it shows you some bigger numbers in the quality selection, but that is not necessarily the truth.

[jerrysander]

And you are very likely to think that you are making sense when you are
not. Why do you have such a hard time accepting what other people hear?
This does lend credence to the possibility that you are being paid by
Spotify as a defense against their non competitiveness in the sound quality
Department.

[fatgutsrob]

Plus1

[HenrikStevn]

@jerrysander

Haha, I wish I was paid to post on the internet.

I have a hard time accepting unfounded speculation and baseless anecdotes. Do double blind ABX test, and get back to me.

[jerrysander]

I am too busy listening to music, Henrik. And enjoying it. Do you remember
the quote from Oscar Wilde about someone who "knows the price of everything
and the value of nothing?" Consider it with regard to "data," etc. It is
about music, and what we hear. What you hear is different from what I hear.
Sorry that is so challenging for you!

[HenrikStevn]

@jerrysander

There is no need to drag mysticism or weak attempts at personal insults into this.

The limits of human hearing are well-known. If your hearing exceeds these well-known limits, you should submit yourself to scientific testing, as you may represent a major breakthrough in auditory science.

I kind of doubt it, though.

These "major, night and day" differences tend to disappear as morning dew before the sun, whenever they're put to a real test. But I guess you're worried about what you'll find out about your own hearing ability, or lack of same.

[Touelmeris]

I love this thread. It has been going on for ages. Spotify has constantly
demonstrated its lack of interest in improving or fixing anything that is
not massively supported (have you noticed that if you save a song the
corresponding album shows up in the Album section, making the latter
useless?). Lossless is not and will not be massively requested before ages.
But people keep asking.
Save your time, go for Tidal, Qobuz or Deezer Elite or anyone else. And
even if you all do cancel your subscription Spotify will not care because
we are very few.

I am fine with Tidal. I do not like many things but it gradually gets
better while Spotify multiple gadget features I do not care about. I do not
believe in supernatural hearing abilities, MQA, audiophile usb cables, etc
but I enjoy their CD quality. I wished they stopped advertising for Jay Z
music. To discover stuff I read magazines, paper and electronic, or use
websites like allmusic.com. It works better than algorithm because I also
give a try to other styles when the reviews are great. Spotify is very
easily replaced by many of its competitors and a bit a reading.

[nutcasey]

Can we get this back on topic please?

Hey Spotify! Stop me from buying CDs by adding CD quality (lossless) audio to your offers. I'd happily double what I pay.

[JulianoCacia]

It does not cost twice as much to stream flac CD audio...

[Jake-Grabowski]

Lossless Streaming