Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
- jeckyll
- Honorary Assistant Jr. Hall Monitor in Training
- Posts: 11906
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:11 pm
- Name: Björn
Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
I'm currently trying Tidal alongside Spotify. Both in the highest res option, so CD quality on Tidal (with the occasional master) and 320k on Spotify.
I wanted to see what you guys have found to be the differences and what you think is the best setup.
What I'm finding so far:
- No difference while commuting (there is simply too much background noise)
- Spotify app is noticeably better and more convenient. Controlling devices from anywhere, easier streaming to my Yamaha receiver with Spotify Connect, easier to use app (not by much and probably because I have had Spotify for years)
- On the right equipment, superior sound quality on Tidal.
- Availability is a tie, I'm finding what I want to listen to on both apps.
- Cost: I have the family plan on Spotify, so Michelle and I both have our own accounts but adding her only costs $5 / month more.
I've got till mid-January to make up my mind on which to keep (Tidal is a trial). I don't really want to give up either, but am not willing to pay for both
So, have you tried both? What's your current method / quality?
Quick background note on what I'm testing on:
Home: Yamaha VX585 with 5.1 setup. Wharfedale Diamond 10's (3 way full size fronts, small rears and an energy sub) - the Yamaha streams direct to the unit for both Spotify and Tidal, so no bluetooth / chromecase the muddy things up
Desktop - Fiio E10 driving Audioengine A2's - Note: I don't really notice a difference with that setup
Laptop - Dragonfly Black (v1.2) running different headphones (HE400's, NAD HP50's, Grado 80's)
On the go - oneplus 6 with Brainwavz B400's most of the time
I wanted to see what you guys have found to be the differences and what you think is the best setup.
What I'm finding so far:
- No difference while commuting (there is simply too much background noise)
- Spotify app is noticeably better and more convenient. Controlling devices from anywhere, easier streaming to my Yamaha receiver with Spotify Connect, easier to use app (not by much and probably because I have had Spotify for years)
- On the right equipment, superior sound quality on Tidal.
- Availability is a tie, I'm finding what I want to listen to on both apps.
- Cost: I have the family plan on Spotify, so Michelle and I both have our own accounts but adding her only costs $5 / month more.
I've got till mid-January to make up my mind on which to keep (Tidal is a trial). I don't really want to give up either, but am not willing to pay for both
So, have you tried both? What's your current method / quality?
Quick background note on what I'm testing on:
Home: Yamaha VX585 with 5.1 setup. Wharfedale Diamond 10's (3 way full size fronts, small rears and an energy sub) - the Yamaha streams direct to the unit for both Spotify and Tidal, so no bluetooth / chromecase the muddy things up
Desktop - Fiio E10 driving Audioengine A2's - Note: I don't really notice a difference with that setup
Laptop - Dragonfly Black (v1.2) running different headphones (HE400's, NAD HP50's, Grado 80's)
On the go - oneplus 6 with Brainwavz B400's most of the time
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
Not caring that much about hifi audio personally and reading your pro/con list, Spotify seems like a no-brainer.
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
Spotify. Then buy vinyl or CDs for your high end gear listening.
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
Just started using amazon music over Sonos. So far so good.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse.
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
I like Amazon hi fi sound quality, but Spotify is so much more robust in terms of playlists and curated content. Also, it’s a lot snappier off wi fi. I’m not sure Tidal would be much better than Amazon. For now, I’m using both Spotify and Amazon.
- jeckyll
- Honorary Assistant Jr. Hall Monitor in Training
- Posts: 11906
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:11 pm
- Name: Björn
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
I tried amazon music for a few days, but the interfaces is meh at best and in Canada it`s not high def at this point.
So who knows, if they change that, I could be tempted. Until then not so much
So who knows, if they change that, I could be tempted. Until then not so much
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
I haven’t had any complaints yet but just started amazon music the other day. Got a free 90 day individual account for ordering something or another.jeckyll wrote:I tried amazon music for a few days, but the interfaces is meh at best and in Canada it`s not high def at this point.
So who knows, if they change that, I could be tempted. Until then not so much
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Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse.
- Joeprez
- Wants to see pics of your wife
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- Name: Joe
- Location: Puerto Rico
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
This is what I do.
Omega / Tudor / Rolex / Sinn / Doxa / Seiko
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
Just be aware with Amazon UHD, none of their devices are capable of 24/96, 16/48 only. You read that correctly.
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
Thanks. Wasn’t aware of that.BlueSky wrote:Just be aware with Amazon UHD, none of their devices are capable of 24/96, 16/48 only. You read that correctly.
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Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse.
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
^ I agree.matt.wu wrote:Not caring that much about hifi audio personally and reading your pro/con list, Spotify seems like a no-brainer.
While I have some Amazon music with the Prime membership, we use an Apple Music family plan and love it. I’ve got my son and parents on it and I like the convenience and selection.
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
Whose devices? I’m pretty sure I’m doing better than that with my MBP and iPhone unless the app is lying about the quality.BlueSky wrote:Just be aware with Amazon UHD, none of their devices are capable of 24/96, 16/48 only. You read that correctly.
Re: Music Streaming - HighRes (Tidal) vs. Convenience (Spotify)
Amazon devices.
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