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Who has tried "TIDAL" vs other streaming applications?

Hello, I'm new to Audiogon, this is my first posting into Forums.

I enjoy streaming audio from my PC and have been using Spotify for a number of years now (college student discount to premium $5 a month). I just recently stumbled upon a App called TIDAL, that streams Lossless 16/44.1FLAC with their "HI-FI" subscription (Student $10 a month). Since I can queue up Spotify and Tidal at the same time, I was able to do an A/B and used Dire Straits Brothers in Arms. I noticed that TIDAL indeed sounds better to me but am convinced none of my family members could tell a difference. I then did an A/B with TIDAL and the actual Brothers in Arms CD, to my surprise TIDAL sounded scary close, if not just as good as the CD! This is hard for me to believe, I think I'm just trying to justify the extra cost of TIDAL on a crazy tight student budget, maybe its a placebo effect? I need to drop one of the services, but which one? I would appreciate your thoughts please... Thank you!
My system:
PC = Gaming Rig I built myself, using dedicated high quality audio card.
Krell KAV 400xi integrated
Sonus Faber Electa's with Sunfire HRS Sub
Cambridge AZUR 840C CDP/DAC
Luxman T117 Tuner
Sony SCD - C2000ES SACD Player
Kimber Silver Streak throughout  


grm
hgeifman
2,230 posts
 
I also like listening to Tidal Streaming music because it is easy to use and I love the variety.  Of course, the BEST PART is their excellent uncompressed sound quality.  In addition, I can change my mind on an album and quickly find a different album to listen to. The flexibility and sound quality of Tidal is a big listening plus for me.

Tidal music selections are improving and additional albums are always being added. Tidal also offers various play lists you can select or you select your own album. Another advantage with Tidal is that you can select an album and then page down to see additional albums by that artist.

Another useful feature, for example, is the Luxman Distributor, On Higher Note, publishes their demo playlists that can be added to your Tidal account.  One playlist example is named “Box of Fun”, and it is terrific. See:

http://onahighernote.com/blog/category/philips-music-talk/philips-playlist/

You can go to the genres tab, and then select classical music, jazz, country, etc. Here you will see a variety of content.

I feel the Tidal sound quality is well worth the monthly fee (I pay $19.99 per month).  I suggest you give Tidal a try for one month and then decide.   Tidal Customer Service is excellent and I highly recommend Tidal Streaming.

ricred1
2,040 posts
 
I have Tidal and pay $20 per month. I love the sound quality, access to new Jazz, and old R&B, but I don't like how slow it operates at times.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Grm,
You certainly have a nice system and that's why you're able to hear the differences between the two sources. The better the system quality  (not necessarily more expensive ) the easier it is to make sound quality distinctions.  In college I had a Pioneer receiver and turntable with a pair of horn speakers but I enjoyed it. You're doing "very"well for a college student. 
 Charles, 
hgeifman
2,230 posts
 
Hi Ricred1,  I also had streaming performance problems with Tidal when I first started using it.  After some research, I finally determined my router was not handling the steaming packets correctly (router had problems handling the packet flow).  I purchased the Apple AirPort Extreme router and my Tidal performance greatly improved.  I also updated to a higher speed internet service (55) and checked all my Ethernet cables to ensure they were tight (I only use Ethernet cables).  If you are streaming using Wi-Fi, it is possible your signal connection is not very strong and you might need an extender (how far away are you from the router?).   I suggest you log the times when you have connectivity problems.  Is someone else steaming video's or other similar activities?   Do you have enough memory in your computer (probably yes but I have to ask).   Please keep us posted with what you find.    



grm OP
149 posts
 
Thanks to all of you for the welcome to Audiogon and the great feedback - so fast! Based on the responses, I guess that its not the placebo effect, I have bounced back and forth between Spotify and TIDAL today and its clear to me TIDAL is the winner! I will be cancelling my Spotify subscription. What I also like about TIDAL are the great music videos, tons of them and the quality is great as well! 
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