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Tidal HiFi Streaming?

Tidal just launched in October at $19.99/mo. They claim to ONLY steam at 44.1kHz/16 bit (1411kbs) so it is CD quality. Has anyone signed up for this? Is Tidal the way to go or Deezer? And, what would I need to start the service- I have WiFi or hardwire option, an iPad- would I need a laptop? External DAC? Sorry to ask so many questions but it's an exciting service, especially if I can save files to my hard drive. Rather than invest in an upgraded FM radio, this seems the way to go.
carja
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
My tidal doing MUCH better. I went to speedtest.net (free and easy and good) and found I had a download/speed problem. A new router (5G???), new wireless wifi pc adapter (say hello to 5G) and downloading at 60 mips (wish I was still a gamer - I might finally not get fragged in 1st 5 seconds). TIDAL ROCKS (jazzes, blues, classics...)...
carja OP
39 posts
 
Thanks for all of the responses! I'm primarily a vinyl listener, but sometimes I'll pop in a CD or SACD as well. Where Tidal would help greatly is when I want to listen to music while doing something else, akin to me listening to Sirius while driving. Probably the best way to go is to do a 30 day free trial without buying a DAC (knowing me, I would want something like a $4000 Marantz and I really shouldn't be thinking like that). I could download the app on my ipad, and port it into my system via the headphone jack. This might not be optimal sound but it would give me an idea of the functionality of the app and the reliability of my wireless feed. If I liked it I could look into the Sonos without breaking the bank. Just won an Apple TV and I don't have a clue about that either but I do know that I could tap into the music stored on my computer.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Tidal is definitely GROWING on me BIG TIME. I am streaming via my squeezebox touch/CI power supply and ickStream (pulled it all out of the closet and glad I didn't sell it). The few issues I had had have all gone away and I have a nice remote with GUI. I don't think you can beat it for $20 a month. It was hicopping a bit due to bandwith, etc but the ickstream app is SWEET. I have had no negative issues; the sound and navigation and content are realy, really good.
jl35
4,152 posts
 
My Aesthetix Romulus CD player has accessible DAC and I was wondering how to get Tidal to it. I have a Squeezbox Touch. What is ickStream and GUI? I want to hook this up to the DAC and am totally clueless.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
J135, You need to go into your squezebox software and add the 3rd party plug in, ickStream. You want "web control". Once you add the plug in, you need to add a script below (the tidal website has the info on how to do it (FAQ). GUI is just 'graphic user interface' which is the readout on the SB Touch.
How to setup TIDAL on Squeezebox:
Install the ickStream plugin in LMS (Logitech Media Server)
Full installation instructions here: http://wiki.ickstream.com/index.php/Open_Beta_Squeezebox_Installation
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