Is using streaming services worthy of an audiophile?

@ddrave44 

Many thanks for your answer.

How does Unitiserve deal with song titles? Does it find them online? What happens if there are no titles available?

Yes, the Unitiserve looks up the album title and song titles online. It runs through several online lookup services till it finds the title. It also picks up the cover art, performers, composers...  
If the title isn't available it generates a random string of letters and numbers and you can manually rename it with the album title, song titles and the artist. The nationally known musicians and labels are always found. It's local musicians that it may miss.                                                
By the way, the Unitiserve doesn't have a screen or remote and must be controlled by an iOS device through Wi-Fi or via a monitor. I have a couple of  iPod touches that my kids don't use anymore so I use them as remotes, but iPads and iPhones are also fine. The Unitiserve's replacement the UnitiCore can also be controlled from an Android phone in addition to the iOS products. For my Unitiserve there is also a desktop/laptop client that is downloaded from the Naim website that I use to manage the HDD's database and set up a backup to my NAS.
This may sound difficult, but its all very straightforward to set up and easy to use once it's all in place.

I just recently purchased an Oppo bdp105 to use as a disc player for my CDs. One of its features is that it can run Tidal, so I decided to check it out and purchased a subscription... It sounds amazing. On the Oppo, the sample rate of whatever you're listening to is displayed on their tv the Oppo is connected to.. but really, it doesn't matter. Tidal sounds incredible through the Oppo and I have access to all kinds of music I'd never buy but enjoy listening to none the less. In my rig, the sound is as good as CDs and almost as good as vinyl.
I figure, if I can't hear a difference, I'm sure not going to start looking for a reason to not like this set up. I still buy vinyl for listening and mp3s for DJing, but being able to listen to a random Fleetwood Mac song I have stuck in my head without having to buy it is lovely.

I was turned on to Tidal about a month ago and I love it. There is so much music to choose from.  Is it for audiophiles...I definitely think so.

First, I was previosuly using Sirius/XM in my car all the time. Now with streaming (or locally saved music on my iphone) from Tidal, the quality is so much better!  That was an immediate upgrade to my daily commute. Sure it’s not my home rig, but better sounding music is still better and all audiophiles can apppreciste that. 

I’ve been streaming Tidal through Roon into my home audio system, using appleTV -> Belcanto DAC and its not as good as my MCormmack UDP-1 CD player after A/B testing the same song tracks equalized for volume. 

I’m expecting all that to change when I have my new streaming digital solution in place tomorrow.  Roon/Tidal -> ultraRendu (powered by UpTone LPS10) -> Schiit Yggy 

The rest of the System is Marantz (pre), VTL s-400 (amp) and Wilson Maxx II.  

Then in I will really be able to see if this is true audiophile quality.  

Nonetheless, having all this music at my fingertips is amazing!

The OP said:

"Audiophiles and music lovers have almost nothing in common. Ordinary music lovers usually find despicable Apple earbuds perfectly acceptable, for example. I am 100% certain that audiogon members enjoy music on a much deeper level than music lovers."

I would say that you're in the right forest, but barking up the wrong tree.   I believe that Audiogon members enjoy EQUIPMENT on a much deeper level. 

Or from a different angle, I could make the case that someone listening to music through $10 ear buds might absolutely be enjoying the music on a deeper emotional level while someone trying to analyze whether their new amp lets them hear more air around the instruments is enjoying the music on a deeper technical level.  

As for the original question, I listen to Spotify daily.  I have a great time just enjoying the music.  I often play air drums.  Sometimes air guitar.  Maybe a little air bass, but only infrequently.  If this means I need to remove the "I'm an audiophile!" patch from my Member's Only jacket, no problem, just let me know where to send it and I'll drop it in the mail today.