Amazon just killed Tidal

Well Amazon might not have "Killed Tidal" but I am suitably impressed after actually getting it to play on the " big rig".

Streaming to my two vintage rigs was easy as the android app saw the 2 Chromecast units instantly and played to them perfectly and it sounded good.

But my Ayre EX8 did not show up as a source and mconnect does not support Amazon yet.

On the iPad it was at first considered even worse as NOTHING showed up as a source.

However with perseverance and the help of 2 members ( thx Rick and Robert) I got it to work on the big rig.
Out of the iPad, Lightning to female USB adapter, USB audio cable to a powered reclocker, USB audio cable into the EX8.
The EX8 does not have a powered USB audio input so the reclocker is essential to the party to supply good clean 5v USB power.

Ok so with this setup I was able to play same album on Amazon and Qobuz switching between USB audio and Ethernet inputs to compare the SQ.

I have to say I might just give the nod to Amazon atm.
Although a lot of variables, maybe the reclocker is really helping out?
Maybe my Ethernet is hampered by being 75 ft from the router and running through a switch?

Tough call but I now have options.

I get Tidal HiRes @ $9.99 with student discount (no actually my son is a student). I am fortunate to own an Oppo205 with a build in MQA decode. Guess MQA even has a 384khz/24bit MQA recording. I can download to my Pioneer XDP100-R (which also has an MQA decoder) off-line. I can't think Amazon could beat Tidal. I had Qobuz which sounds even better than MQA but cost 2X. I guess I would stay with Tidal until my son graduate from college.

Amazon also has student pricing at just $4.99 per month......

I have been subscribed to Tidal for well over 3 years now . I tried spotify and (amazon when it first came out) and was not satisfied with the sound quality . Tidal has gotten better over time although I still dislike it's push on hip hop.. Furthermore I dislike even more it's push on MQA.
It's nice to finally have an alternative. 
 I dislike Amazon's misleading "HD" terminology regarding standard "CD" quality sound . Unfortunately the average dummy will buy into it cause they were also happy with the previous mp3 format.. 
This being said I'm extremely happy that they (Amazon) are not utilizing MQA.  MQA should have been dead on arrival and hopefully this may be a final nail in its coffin. 
More choice is always better for the consumer.. For now Im sticking with Tidal but it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.. 

I have been using Qobuz for over a year, very pleased with sound quality. I decided to take up Amazon on the 90 day free trial of Amazon Music HD.

First realize that Amazon Music HD is crippled compared to Tidal and Qobuz because it cannot use Wasapi exclusive mode. It is using Windows mixer in shared mode. Since your DAC cannot take control you have to set the rate and depth for each song you play in Windows mixer, hardly convenient.

Sound quality is deficient comparing same tracks in Amazon to Qobuz. I am hearing loss of resolution, sound stage depth and imaging. The differences are not subtle. The more resolving your system is the easier it is for you to hear the difference in quality.

I doubt Amazon will ever open their API so there could be integration with Roon and Audirvana. Hopefully they will at least update the desktop app so it can run in Wasapi exclusive mode. Saving ten dollars a month compared to Qobuz is irrelevant when the sound quality is not equal.

My advice? Stay with Tidal or Qobuz for a few months until we see if Amazon is going to listen to customer feedback. If/when exclusive mode is enabled then sign up for the free trial and compare. Don't swallow the audio press kool aid and think Amazon Music HD will put Tidal and Qobuz out of business, no way that happens with sound quality as is today.