@antigrunge2 I tried everything with Qobuz. I run a full Sonore opticalRendu setup with upgraded Sonore LPSs (using Roon) to a PS Audio DS DAC and then out to my Ayre KX/VX-5 Twenty combo (to Focus SE speakers). I found almost everything on Qobuz moderately to severely compressed. I know it's not my gear because my local wav and dsf files sound stunning using the exact same pathway.
I signed up for Tidal yesterday and even though most songs that I tested were 16/44.1, there was significantly less compression. Most songs had none but then some definitely had compression applied.. I mention this because almost everyone who's tried both services seems to prefer Qobuz. I don't get it. But it's easy to test. Play a few songs on Qobuz then switch over to Tidal. You'll have to turn up the volume quite a bit to match levels. I'm not claiming Qobuz is applying the compression but they're using some horrid remasters if not. Then again, I say this on faith as I have no way to know what the heck is going on. But if both streaming companies aren't molesting their streams, why and how can they sound differently? Qobuz has much more bass, more body with less treble extension. Tidal sounds more neutral in my setup. Meaning, less bass and mids and sweeter, more extended highs. Some may think this is somewhat clinical and maybe that's why they prefer Qobuz. I don't know. But Tidal is worlds better in my setup. It sounds much closer to my ripped files than Qobuz. Seems unlikely that they're using different masters but you never know.. More listening/testing needed this weekend to confirm what I've heard thus far from Tidal.
I signed up for Tidal yesterday and even though most songs that I tested were 16/44.1, there was significantly less compression. Most songs had none but then some definitely had compression applied.. I mention this because almost everyone who's tried both services seems to prefer Qobuz. I don't get it. But it's easy to test. Play a few songs on Qobuz then switch over to Tidal. You'll have to turn up the volume quite a bit to match levels. I'm not claiming Qobuz is applying the compression but they're using some horrid remasters if not. Then again, I say this on faith as I have no way to know what the heck is going on. But if both streaming companies aren't molesting their streams, why and how can they sound differently? Qobuz has much more bass, more body with less treble extension. Tidal sounds more neutral in my setup. Meaning, less bass and mids and sweeter, more extended highs. Some may think this is somewhat clinical and maybe that's why they prefer Qobuz. I don't know. But Tidal is worlds better in my setup. It sounds much closer to my ripped files than Qobuz. Seems unlikely that they're using different masters but you never know.. More listening/testing needed this weekend to confirm what I've heard thus far from Tidal.