Polk Audio
›

Deezer / Tidal ?

alucidideaalucididea Posts: 110
edited May 2018 in Going Digital
Does anyone any thoughts on using streaming services such as Deezer/Tidal for Flac/MQA audio? I just signed up for a trial of each one, but thought I’d get your opinions as well so I can explore as best informed as possible...

I haven’t started using it yet, but I’m going to download the Tidal OSX App for potential MQA streaming.

Oh wise ones, share your wisdom with the likes of me...
Post edited by alucididea on

Comments

  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 5,218
    Interested to hear what you think of Tidal. I too tried their free trial late last year but ultimately chose to cancel.

    I wasn't impressed with the audio quality, I'm referring to their standard 320kbps AAC stream. I used Tidal to listen to a number of songs that I have on CD and 320kbps MP3 of, and I felt that there was some sort of EQ or enhancement being applied to the music that I wasn't a fan of. Like they were artificially boosting frequencies to make things sound "better", as opposed to just presenting the tracks as they are.

    Maybe Tidal "HiFi" with the FLAC files don't have this artificial enhancement applied to them.
    • "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
  • alucidideaalucididea Posts: 110
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Maybe Tidal "HiFi" with the FLAC files don't have this artificial enhancement applied to them.
    I’m only interested in the “HiFi” versions of each. If I’m going to stream compressed music, I’ll just stick with Apple Music. It’s what I’ve been using...

    I can tell right off the bat how much more depth the FLAC versions have to them. But the interfaces aren’t amazing on either. I think the reality is that I’ll end up using my laptop as the streaming source either way (sigh), so I’ll also have to explore the OSX apps.

    Maybe someone knows of better 24/192 steaming than either of those?
  • rburgess714rburgess714 Posts: 324
    I have had Tidal HiFi for some time now streaming through an Auralic Aries Mini and I love it. I have also had good results with Tidal on a laptop connected via usb to my pre. Like the apps convenience and sq. No experience with Deezer,
    Living Room
    Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Parasound P5, Parasound A23, Yamaha BD-S681, Auralic Aries Mini, Polk S60, Polk S30, Samsung 60" LED

    Office
    B&K Ref 50, B&K 200.2, Chromecast, LSiM 703s

    Douglas Connection ICs and Cables
  • BlueFoxBlueFox Posts: 10,348
    The Lumin supports Tidal/MQA, and on other sites that are more high end, the users love it. As an FYI, a computer is probably the worst way to play digital music. While better than nothing, a dedicated file player, such as from Bryston, Lumin, and others, will easily surpass any computer based system. Plenty of info on the subject via Google.
    Bud - Silicon Valley

    Lumin S1
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD
    Pass XP-22 pre, X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • alucidideaalucididea Posts: 110
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Plenty of info on the subject via Google.
    Really? Is that where information on the internet lives? I had no idea!!!
  • tonybtonyb Posts: 30,384
    Bluefox makes a valid point. Usually, anything with a dedicated task in audio sounds better than the swiss army knife style pieces of gear.

    Tidal/Deezer ? Pick your poison....but I believe Tidal may have the bigger library. Keep in mind, if MQA is what your chasing, that your dac also needs to be MQA certified as this is basically a 2 stage process to open the MQA format. The app itself contains one step, the associated dac is the second. Some really like it, others not so much, just a matter of preference there I guess.

    User interface....none are really all that great, but do take some getting used to if all your familiar with is ITunes or the like.
    HT SYSTEM-2 channel
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Dynaudio Audience 72
    Polk FX500 surrounds
    Cary xciter dac
    Cullen modded Sonos
    Joule la-100 pre
    B&k Ref 4420 amp

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Analysis plus crystal oval ic's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    B&k 1430
    Tad 803 speakers
  • AsSiMiLaTeDAsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,717
    edited May 2018
    DELETED
    Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
  • afterburntafterburnt Posts: 4,723
    I would rather buy a couple or few cd's a month than pay a monthly susubscription. I get some kind of sick pleasure from hoarding cd's.
    Parlor: ifi iDSD Micro*Yamaha RX-A2030*Parasound Halo P5*Parasound Halo A-31*Parasound 2250v2*Emotiva XPA-200 Gen1*LSiM707 Fronts*LSiM706c Center*LSiM702f/x Surrounds*Monitor70 Series II Rears*Monitor40 Series II Presence*SVS PB2000 Sub X2*OPPO BDP-103D*Sony PS3*Samsung-55" LED 1080p Smart 3D HDTV UN55H7150AFXZA*TEAC TN-300*Wireworld Solstice cables* Wireworld Stratus power cables*Blue Jeans Cable LC-1's IC's*BJC Silver-Plated IC's* Bens Silver IC's

    Dungeon: Dancer Mini-Two Diamond*Auralic Aries Mini*Dayens Ampino Preamp*Dayens Ampino Monoblocks*North Star Intenso DAC*Wireworld Oasis cables*Wireworld Oasis IC's*Wireworld Aurora power cables*IFI nano IDSD bl*Pangea Silver USB*Cambridge CXU*

    Panamax MR5100*Panamax M8-AV-PRO*Furman PST-2+6

    Headgear: Sennheiser HD 558*Audio-Technica ATH-M40x*Sennheiser HD 598 Cs*Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7*Philips SHP9500S* Sennheiser 6xx

    Hello Kitty boombox

    Spare sortta: Usher N-6361* ifi iDsd nano*Marantz 1504* RX-A1040*Emotiva XPA-1L Gen2 X2*Emotiva XPA-3 Gen2*CSiA6 Center*Monitor40 Series II*SVS PB1000 Sub*Sony BDPS6500 Blu-ray player*POS 37" LCD*Douglas Connection Furez 12 AWG 2 Conductor*Blue Jeans Cable LC-1's IC's*Samsung BD-H5900 3D Blu-Ray*Usher N-6361


    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Self Control is over rated.
    Mr. Sharpe wrote: »
    Meh these were extra $70 as an open box item so it didn’t much to me either way:)

    Modern physics would have us believe that the universe is made up of quarks, gluons, photons -- and morons

    Jesus H. C H R I S T - Afterburner - can you ever be courteous and stay on topic. If you want to blather on about "Family Affair" start your own dam thread! I get tired of your inane comments. You're not clever and you're not funny and most time you're posts are completely irrelevant to the topic.
  • alucidideaalucididea Posts: 110
    afterburnt wrote: »
    I would rather buy a couple or few cd's a month than pay a monthly susubscription. I get some kind of sick pleasure from hoarding cd's.
    That’s a way more expensive way to go, no? Honestly I’m just trying to get away from the physical content part. For myself, being able to listen to almost anything on-demand is also just as important, not to mention ease of single-source ubiquity across every listening area conceivable.
    But hey, we’ve all got our thing...
  • afterburntafterburnt Posts: 4,723
    edited May 2018
    @alucididea I have a lot of cd's and I buy cd's occasionally to fill in the gaps in my collection. I had Tidal for a while and once I added some stuff to "favorites" that I didn't have the list kind of went dormant. I wasn't finding a lot of other stuff that I wanted to to take the time to listen to. I got that "Directv" feeling about the service "400 channels and nothing to watch". I guess I would have liked it better if I didn't have a decent collection already. Besides my penchant for hoarding I have a problem with commitment, I dont like having a monthly bill in order to feed my filthy habit. I don't have to buy cd's. I can stop anytime that I want. :#

    Oh yeah, cd's are forever sort of. Turn off the service and what do you have left?

    PS Oh yeah, go with Deezer. Madona and Jayzee have enough money. :p
    Parlor: ifi iDSD Micro*Yamaha RX-A2030*Parasound Halo P5*Parasound Halo A-31*Parasound 2250v2*Emotiva XPA-200 Gen1*LSiM707 Fronts*LSiM706c Center*LSiM702f/x Surrounds*Monitor70 Series II Rears*Monitor40 Series II Presence*SVS PB2000 Sub X2*OPPO BDP-103D*Sony PS3*Samsung-55" LED 1080p Smart 3D HDTV UN55H7150AFXZA*TEAC TN-300*Wireworld Solstice cables* Wireworld Stratus power cables*Blue Jeans Cable LC-1's IC's*BJC Silver-Plated IC's* Bens Silver IC's

    Dungeon: Dancer Mini-Two Diamond*Auralic Aries Mini*Dayens Ampino Preamp*Dayens Ampino Monoblocks*North Star Intenso DAC*Wireworld Oasis cables*Wireworld Oasis IC's*Wireworld Aurora power cables*IFI nano IDSD bl*Pangea Silver USB*Cambridge CXU*

    Panamax MR5100*Panamax M8-AV-PRO*Furman PST-2+6

    Headgear: Sennheiser HD 558*Audio-Technica ATH-M40x*Sennheiser HD 598 Cs*Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7*Philips SHP9500S* Sennheiser 6xx

    Hello Kitty boombox

    Spare sortta: Usher N-6361* ifi iDsd nano*Marantz 1504* RX-A1040*Emotiva XPA-1L Gen2 X2*Emotiva XPA-3 Gen2*CSiA6 Center*Monitor40 Series II*SVS PB1000 Sub*Sony BDPS6500 Blu-ray player*POS 37" LCD*Douglas Connection Furez 12 AWG 2 Conductor*Blue Jeans Cable LC-1's IC's*Samsung BD-H5900 3D Blu-Ray*Usher N-6361


    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Self Control is over rated.
    Mr. Sharpe wrote: »
    Meh these were extra $70 as an open box item so it didn’t much to me either way:)

    Modern physics would have us believe that the universe is made up of quarks, gluons, photons -- and morons

    Jesus H. C H R I S T - Afterburner - can you ever be courteous and stay on topic. If you want to blather on about "Family Affair" start your own dam thread! I get tired of your inane comments. You're not clever and you're not funny and most time you're posts are completely irrelevant to the topic.
  • AsSiMiLaTeDAsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,717
    I felt the same way for a long time, and still do to some extent. For music that I really like I still buy it to directly support those artists, and I’ve got somewhere around 10TB of music. Even with a collection that large I still always manage to find new music that I’d have never heard otherwise.
  • afterburntafterburnt Posts: 4,723
    I discover most new music by reading the wiki or sound hound articles about the artist that I am listening to. I am usually surprised about "who played with who". I go on Amazon or Pandora to get my ears on what I have found and then decide if I want the cd. The downside I guess is you may not be able to tell a bad recording that way. Tidal seemed to be able to reveal a bad recording.
    Parlor: ifi iDSD Micro*Yamaha RX-A2030*Parasound Halo P5*Parasound Halo A-31*Parasound 2250v2*Emotiva XPA-200 Gen1*LSiM707 Fronts*LSiM706c Center*LSiM702f/x Surrounds*Monitor70 Series II Rears*Monitor40 Series II Presence*SVS PB2000 Sub X2*OPPO BDP-103D*Sony PS3*Samsung-55" LED 1080p Smart 3D HDTV UN55H7150AFXZA*TEAC TN-300*Wireworld Solstice cables* Wireworld Stratus power cables*Blue Jeans Cable LC-1's IC's*BJC Silver-Plated IC's* Bens Silver IC's

    Dungeon: Dancer Mini-Two Diamond*Auralic Aries Mini*Dayens Ampino Preamp*Dayens Ampino Monoblocks*North Star Intenso DAC*Wireworld Oasis cables*Wireworld Oasis IC's*Wireworld Aurora power cables*IFI nano IDSD bl*Pangea Silver USB*Cambridge CXU*

    Panamax MR5100*Panamax M8-AV-PRO*Furman PST-2+6

    Headgear: Sennheiser HD 558*Audio-Technica ATH-M40x*Sennheiser HD 598 Cs*Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7*Philips SHP9500S* Sennheiser 6xx

    Hello Kitty boombox

    Spare sortta: Usher N-6361* ifi iDsd nano*Marantz 1504* RX-A1040*Emotiva XPA-1L Gen2 X2*Emotiva XPA-3 Gen2*CSiA6 Center*Monitor40 Series II*SVS PB1000 Sub*Sony BDPS6500 Blu-ray player*POS 37" LCD*Douglas Connection Furez 12 AWG 2 Conductor*Blue Jeans Cable LC-1's IC's*Samsung BD-H5900 3D Blu-Ray*Usher N-6361


    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Self Control is over rated.
    Mr. Sharpe wrote: »
    Meh these were extra $70 as an open box item so it didn’t much to me either way:)

    Modern physics would have us believe that the universe is made up of quarks, gluons, photons -- and morons

    Jesus H. C H R I S T - Afterburner - can you ever be courteous and stay on topic. If you want to blather on about "Family Affair" start your own dam thread! I get tired of your inane comments. You're not clever and you're not funny and most time you're posts are completely irrelevant to the topic.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register

Quick Links

© Polk Audio 2014