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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
ricred1
2,005 posts
 
hgeifman,

Thanks... I called Time Warner cable and they told me I should be  downloading at up to 300 mbs.  I will do as you suggest and try to pinpoint the source of my problem.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
grm - 
BTW & FWIW...
I'm a happy SPOTIFY subscriber.  
zipiv
8 posts
 
Tidal is a great way to go. Check out the Bluesound Node’s that allows you to add pretty much any streaming subscription out there to it as well as external hard drives. You control it using an app and you can hardwire it to your router. Has a built in DAC or you can send the signal straight to your amp. Got one used for $200.00 online and very happy with it. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Grm,
If I may offer some advice,  continue to have confidence and trust your ears and impressions. You're off to a good start and will be happiest in the long term by sticking to this simple rule. 
Charles, 
jer
47 posts
 
ricred1, you are not alone if buffering is an issue. I have the best router Time Warner has available, 200 down in addition to a powerful computer. No issues with other music or movie streaming websites. If packets was an issue it would be with other high bitrate streaming as well. Ran speedtest yesterday and it tested out well over 200. Last night with people over it started acting up. Pulled the plug on it immediately and switched over to spotify without a hitch. Only thing I can think of is they dont have stable west coast servers? idk
If you get to the root of the issue please post and share!
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