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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
reubent
7,043 posts
 
I don't think Apple bought Tidal. At least not yet. They were in talks, but the most recent news I read as of Sept. 15, 2016 states the following:

" In an interview with BuzzFeed News, Jimmy Iovine, the head of Apple Music, said: "We're not looking to acquire any streaming service." He did not indicate that there weren't any talks, but it does seem that a Tidal acquisition is off the cards, at least for now."

If I recall correctly, Jay-Z is the majority owner, with about 50% ownership, and the other members of the coalition each own 3%.

I don't make any claims that the information above is correct or current. It's just off the top of my head and results of a cursory google search.
grm OP
149 posts
 
Hi,
Have had TIDAL for about five months now, dropped my Spotify subscription, stopped purchasing CD's and have never looked back! I think TIDAL is fantastic and they are constantly adding new artists and expanding on their features. The SQ is crazy good compared to the likes of Spotify, for example, and equals CD quality IMO. As far as who owns it, I don't care, I just hope it survives!
grm OP
149 posts
 
OOPS!

An exception, SACD - nothing sounds better! I will continue to purchase SACD's from my favorite artists if they are available.
hgeifman
2,263 posts
 
Another useful feature of Tidal Streaming are their search options. For example, do a search on the top 100 classical albums or the top 100 piano albums. I found several outstanding albums that I really like. You can do the searches for violin, harp (several outstanding albums), etc.   Type in the instrument you are interested in and see what you get.  Top vocal artists also produce enjoyable albums.  Enjoy.

Tidal Streaming is a wonderful and highly recommended music streaming service.  Their sound quality is terrific and the album selection is very good and getting better.   If you are looking for a recording you cannot find, try searching on the persons last name only (I did this and found what I was looking for).  If you still cannot find the album, send Tidal a message requesting they add that album.  Of course, there is no promises but you never know.   

Another outstanding album is "Exactly Like this" by Doug MacLeon.  This album is from Reference Recording and it is outstanding.  Search on Doug MacLeon since many of his recordings are on Tidal.   All his albums are highly recommended.  Have fun listening.....  

grm OP
149 posts
 
Hi, hgeifman.
Great recording, "Exactly Like This" by Doug MacLeod, I think it demonstrates how great Tidal can sound! Just like with CD's or SACD's, there are great recordings and some not so great. I believe TIDAL seems true to the quality of the recording. That's one of the many fun things with TIDAL, finding some really fantastic recordings and so many to choose from!

P.S. it's Doug MacLeod and not MacLeon for those who choose to queue up this album and have a listen, it's great!
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