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Yet another Qobuz vs. Tidal debate

I'm not convinced that I'm getting "CD Quality" from either service even though I've paid a premium for it.  In terms of the catalog, Tidal has Qobuz beat hands down.  Not even close IMO.  I like the user interface a little more with Tidal.  Similar artists populate right under the album listings.  However, Tidal is expensive when compared to Qobuz, if you're a long term subscriber. With Qobuz I received a considerable discount with a 1 year subscription.  I was paying $24 month (with taxes inc) for Tidal and that was a year ago. It's probably gone up from that. $300 a year buys a lot of CD's (especially when I usually buy mine used).  Has anyone else been as disillusioned as I am?     
russellrcncom
russellrcncom OP
305 posts
 
edcyn:  agree.  the drop-outs are annoying.    
cycles2
194 posts
 
I've been a TIDAL subscriber for approx 3 years.  I signed up for a 30-day Qobuz trial. I was skeptical at first but am finding the Qobuz catalog comparable to TIDAL for my tastes mainly in rock/jazz.

There seems to be more hires albums in Qobuz compared to TIDAL MQA albums.  I'm trying to avoid the MQA debate so I won't comment on whether I feel Qobuz hires sounds better than TIDAL MQA..

I did discover that I can play Qobuz hi-rez titles in my car and the sound is amazing.  I assume playing TIDAL MQA titles in most car stereos plays MQA tracks at redbook CD 44.1KHz/16 bit resolution.

At the Qobuz intro price of $15/month compared to $20/month for TIDAL high fidelity, I'll probably make the switch. 


russellrcncom OP
305 posts
 
Agree.  Qobuz actually sent an offer to me to extend the studio premier service (96HZ hi-res) subscription for $149/yr.  not bad.    
Still getting a lot of drop-outs depending on what time of day I'm listening but I think that would happen with any streaming service.  


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
There should be no dropouts when using Android or iPhone. I know dropouts exist when using Qobuz with a PC.

I use a Node 2i with Android and had dropouts when I first signed up for Qobuz. Customer service was able to correct the issue.

edcyn
1,876 posts
 
I continue to suffer dropouts when I stream Qobuz through my Mytek Brooklyn Bridge.  I've been trading emails with Mytek's techie and he's been unable to pinpoint a problem.  He did, though, convince me to listen to other streaming services to see if I have problems with them, too.I really don't want to subscribe to another paid service to do the test (did I make a rookie error when I quit Tidal when their free trial ended?) but I have been listening to a classical internet radio station that offers complete symphonies and such.  In other words, a perfect test subject/guinea pig.  So far, no interruptions in service no matter how long the file is.  The thing is, fidelity is far less satisfying than Qobuz' superlative transmission.  In any event, what all this nuttiness is doing is make me suspect Qobuz is the dropout culprit.
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