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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
Post removed 
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I have an Aurender N-10/Esoteric K-03 and both Tidal and Qobuz and its just super convenient and excellent sounding.  You have to get away from PCs. Routers and all that stuff doesn't matter any more with a one box streamer solution.  You still need a solid internet connection but all the drudge that comes out of  your computer is gone.
gill_92's avatar
gill_92
28 posts
 
I have tried Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify premium.
I also purchased music in several formats from HD tracks and played with different software and platforms.
I am comfortable to say that Qobuz mounted in Volumio virtuoso OS, is by far the greatest.
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grm OP
149 posts
 
Wow!

Almost five years since this, my first post to Audiogon, hard to believe! Much has changed since then. I have graduated from College and found a career in alignment with my degree as a R&D Scientist working for an Automotive company. My audio system has changed slightly due to components failing, these included my Cambridge CDP and my Krell integrated. I was fortunate in that when I sent these components in for repair, the manufacturers said they were beyond hope and offered factory direct replacements at a deep discount. My CDP was replaced by a Cambridge Azure 851N streamer, and my integrated was replaced by a Krell Vanguard. I'm quite happy with both for now, but would like to update my streamer when funds permit.

Anyway, back to streaming. I still use Spotify because I am still on my Families plan and it is free to me. The Spotify User Interface and User Experience are the benchmark in my opinion that others are still trying to chase after. I have never had a problem finding anything on Spotify and for the sheer pleasure of finding different recordings to entertain yourself Spotify is top shelf. But the sound quality... Spotify takes a back seat to other streaming services such as Qobuz and Tidal, no competition. In the meantime I treat myself to a growing list of purchased and downloaded DSD recordings and they sound fantastic! When I have the resources to upgrade my streamer, I will give either Tidal or Qobuz a try again. I just really wish that Spotify would recognize there is a market out there for high rez streaming because if they offered it, I would be the first in line!!
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