Impressions of Tidal

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,371
edited February 2019 in Going Digital
Back in the 60's and 70's, most everyone used their AM/FM tuner as their main source. Stations were plentiful, especially for me being a St. Louis native, and the music was good. Fast forward to satellite radio, which I had hoped would finally bring CD quality music to the airwaves. I was a VERY early adopter of XM, as my location now in a small town was seriously limited on FM stations. I haven't owned a tuner in over 20yrs. Well, BIG disappointment on the XM front....

Enter streamed (16/44) music, ala the internet. I recently signed up for a trial of Tidal Hi-fi service, just to check it out and see if it's something I might want to keep. Here's some quick observations:

1. The interface is very user friendly, and is learned quickly
2. You can search, pick suggested music, view by genre, or pick a pre-built playlist
3. Create your own playlists

Now the sound:

When compared to my flac rips from CD's, Tidals music seems a little softer around the edges. This was particularly evident on Sugarland "Stuck like glue" but other music also has this slight softening to it as well. On "stuck like glue" my flac rip has the lead vocal more upfront and real sounding, with crisp transients and possibly a little deeper soundstage. This was pretty much the rule across the board, though in varying degrees depending on the track.

Generally, it sounds really good. It's the closest thing to CD quality I've heard as far as streaming services, and/or satellite radio. Sans the slight "softening" I really enjoyed playing with it last night, and I think it's likely a keeper.

For reference, I was streaming via my Oppo BDP-103 Tidal app/Media Control app on my Ipad mini 4. My Oppo is connected via digital coaxial output to my PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell dac. The Ipad mini 4 simply acts as a host/remote for the Tidal program, nothing passes through it, sound wise.
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amplifier: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi
Post edited by steveinaz on
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,371
    Exactly---I prefer more of a radio experience, rather than hunting down individual songs or albums. Pick a playlist, and let her rip.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amplifier: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 941
    I haven't really tested the digital radio much, but once I saw how easy it was to add streaming internet radio to my CXN I packed up my FM antenna, which I never used anyway because it sounded like garbage. Actual radio probably still won't get too much use in my house, but it's cool to have that option.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,013
    Tidal is my option too. Very satisfied with the service.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 7,751
    Love tidal
    Joey's Gear:
    Current Gear:
    Primary:
    Digital: Torus RM15 -> Emm Labs TSDx/Bluesound Node 2 -> Emm Labs DAC2x
    Analog: VPI Avenger Reference w/ Rim Drive w/ ADS + 12" Fatboy Dual Pivot + Lyra Etna
    + Audio Research Reference 40th Anniversary -> Boulder 2060 stereo amp (w/ Audioquest WEL Signature) -> new speakers + JL Audio F113v2 x2
    Secondary:
    Rotel RA1592 Super Integrated -> Sonus Faber Olympica 3
    Tertiary:
    Oppo 105D -> Rotel RC1570 preamp -> Rotel RB1582 amp -> Focal Kanta 2

    Main speakers system evolution over the years:
    Klipsch Promedia 4.1 -> Axiom M22ti -> Sonus Faber Concertino -> Sonus Faber Concerto -> Polk LSi7 -> Polk LSi9 -> Martin Logan Mosaic -> AV123 Onix Ref 1 -> Martin Logan Vantage -> AV123 Strata Mini -> Martin Logan Summit -> Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor -> BW 802D2 -> Sonus Faber Stradivari -> Rockport Avior -> BW 802D3 -> BW 800D3 -> ???

    Old Gear:
    Speakers:
    BW PM1 (3.5/5), CM10s2 (3.75/5), BW800D3 (5/5), Rockport Aviors (5/5), Sonus Faber Stradivari (5/5), BW 802D2 (4.5/5), Martin Logan Summits (4.25/5), Martin Logan Vantage (4/5), Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor (3.75/5), AV123 Strata Mini (3.5/5), ML Mosaic (3.25/5), Onix Ref1 (3/5), Sonus Faber Concerto (2.75/5), SF Concertino (2.5/5), Axiom M22ti (2/5), Polk LSi9 (3/5), LSi7 (2.9/5)
    Source:
    Squeezebox 3 -> PS Audio Digital Link III -> Cary 306/200 CDP -> Cary 306 SACD -> EMM LABS DAC2X/TSDX
    Preamplification:
    Rotel RC1070 -> Rogue Perseus -> Cary SLP98 -> Cary SLP98F1 -> Cary SLP05 (sold and then repurchased) -> ARC 5se -> ARC Ref 40th Anniversary
    Amplification:
    HK AVR330 -> Rotel RB1070 -> Rotel RB1090 -> Plinius SA102 -> Cary 211FE -> Classe M600 -> Boulder 2060
    Subwoofer:
    Infinity Entra2 -> SVS 25-31PCi -> SVS 25-31PC+ -> Dual JL Audio F113v2
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,524
    Tidal coupled with my own library via Roon has been a God-send.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,104
    ZLTFUL wrote: »
    Tidal coupled with my own library via Roon has been a God-send.

    While I wouldn’t call it a godsend, I do love the combo of tidal and roon. While it may be true that if you are trying to squeeze the last ounce of sq out of your system tidal probably shouldn’t be your primary source of music, it’s perfect for me...
    Living Room 2.1: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Crown XLS 1002 amp; Musical Fidelity A308; NAD M51 DAC; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology SM450; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology StudioMonitor350; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology promonitor 800; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,524
    Trust me...trying to manage 233,000+ tracks in my personal library without Roon was a pain in the a$$. Roon is indeed a godsend for that.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 985
    I have used TIDAL exclusively for the the last few months for hi-res streaming through my Lumin D2. Love it. But right this minute I am trying out Qobuz. It finally went live in the US today. So far it's pretty damn nice! 30 day free trial just like TIDAL. I'll stick with just one after the 30 day trial.
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,136
    edited February 2019
    I love Tidal and ROON...ROON brings it all together and allows you to experience whole house audio for when you are doing stuff and also pulls services together under 1 nice UI.

    ROON Radio works great.

    A nice DAC helps too... My Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ is the shizzle.
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 1,912
    I've been using Spotify Premium Family with very satisfactory results. Is there a good reason to switch to Tidal?

    Logitech SBT is my streamer (and Tidal is an app option), 'enhanced' digital coax-out into PSA Stellar Gain Pre/DAC.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 9,485
    jdjohn wrote: »
    I've been using Spotify Premium Family with very satisfactory results. Is there a good reason to switch to Tidal?

    Tidal offers CD quality and hi res. Spotify maxes out at 320kbps mp3.
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,104
    jdjohn wrote: »
    I've been using Spotify Premium Family with very satisfactory results. Is there a good reason to switch to Tidal?

    Logitech SBT is my streamer (and Tidal is an app option), 'enhanced' digital coax-out into PSA Stellar Gain Pre/DAC.

    Spotify is fine for most of my listening honestly: because I’m usually working, driving, cooking, cleaning, etc. but yes, tidal is cd quality, and that makes a difference for when you want to critically listen...
    Living Room 2.1: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Crown XLS 1002 amp; Musical Fidelity A308; NAD M51 DAC; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology SM450; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology StudioMonitor350; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology promonitor 800; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 941
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    I've been using Spotify Premium Family with very satisfactory results. Is there a good reason to switch to Tidal?

    Logitech SBT is my streamer (and Tidal is an app option), 'enhanced' digital coax-out into PSA Stellar Gain Pre/DAC.

    Spotify is fine for most of my listening honestly: because I’m usually working, driving, cooking, cleaning, etc. but yes, tidal is cd quality, and that makes a difference for when you want to critically listen...
    Even if I decide to add Tidal I'll be keeping Spotify. My friends and I actually use the social features. Half my playlists are ones compiled by friends for events that we still build on. I'm not ready to give that up.
    On the same note I can't count Netflix as saving on dropping cable. Even if I got cable again, I'm keeping netflix.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
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  • rburgess714
    rburgess714 Posts: 599
    edited February 2019
    I have had Tidal for over a year now. Like the App and it sounds good to me. I rarely spin a disc.
    Living Room
    Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Yamaha BD-S681, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, Polk S60, Polk S30, Samsung 60" LED

    Office
    Cambridge Audio 851A, Auralic Aries Mini, LSiM 703s

    Douglas Connection ICs and Cables
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,950
    edited February 2019
    Jody, when you come out in March, you’ll be able to poke around with Tidal and see what it has to offer. It’s a great streaming service and combined with the CXN makes for a very fun 2ch experience. The imaging and range has nothing on vinyl, but compared to CD’s it’s pretty darn good. Good enough to sit back and enjoy pretty much anything your in the mood for.

    We can do A/B/C testing with Tidal/CD/Vinyl for quite a few albums when you come out.
    Post edited by joecoulson on
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 1,912
    Thanks for all the informative feedback. I will admit/confess right now that (to my ears on my system) lossless digital will almost always win-out over vinyl. But, I love the organic feel and sound of vinyl when done well, so please leave me alone B)

    How do the libraries compare between Spotify and Tidal?
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • BC6
    BC6 Posts: 109
    I love how easy Tidal and Roon are to use and how great it sounds. I’ve just added Qobuz and really like it too. I think Qobuz sounds a bit better but I’ll give it some more time before I pick between the two. I’ll probably keep both.
    2 Channel: Atohm GT-1 speakers, Atoll IN400 integrated amp, PS Audio DirectStream DAC, PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB with Ortofon Bronze cartridge, SotM sMS-200 ultra streamer, SotM sPS-500 power supply, and homemade infinite baffle subwoofer with two Fi Audio IB318 drivers.

    HT: All Polk: SDA 2.3tl fronts, CSiA6 center, 500-LS ceiling, RT/FX, RTi8, Monitor 4 rears, plus Yamaha CX-a5100 AV Preamplifier/Processor, Yamaha MX-a5000 11.1 channel amplifier, and Sony XBR55-AE1 OLED TV.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 7,751
    edited February 2019
    I honestly did not think I was going to find Tidal useful because I figured it would not be up to par with spinning CDs on my transport into my DAC.... but surprisingly, while not as good as my CDs, Tidal's ease of use and relatively decent sound has been a game changer for me. But no, it is not as good as the CDs into the Emm transport. Maybe if my streamer was an Aurender, it would close the gap.
    Joey's Gear:
    Current Gear:
    Primary:
    Digital: Torus RM15 -> Emm Labs TSDx/Bluesound Node 2 -> Emm Labs DAC2x
    Analog: VPI Avenger Reference w/ Rim Drive w/ ADS + 12" Fatboy Dual Pivot + Lyra Etna
    + Audio Research Reference 40th Anniversary -> Boulder 2060 stereo amp (w/ Audioquest WEL Signature) -> new speakers + JL Audio F113v2 x2
    Secondary:
    Rotel RA1592 Super Integrated -> Sonus Faber Olympica 3
    Tertiary:
    Oppo 105D -> Rotel RC1570 preamp -> Rotel RB1582 amp -> Focal Kanta 2

    Main speakers system evolution over the years:
    Klipsch Promedia 4.1 -> Axiom M22ti -> Sonus Faber Concertino -> Sonus Faber Concerto -> Polk LSi7 -> Polk LSi9 -> Martin Logan Mosaic -> AV123 Onix Ref 1 -> Martin Logan Vantage -> AV123 Strata Mini -> Martin Logan Summit -> Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor -> BW 802D2 -> Sonus Faber Stradivari -> Rockport Avior -> BW 802D3 -> BW 800D3 -> ???

    Old Gear:
    Speakers:
    BW PM1 (3.5/5), CM10s2 (3.75/5), BW800D3 (5/5), Rockport Aviors (5/5), Sonus Faber Stradivari (5/5), BW 802D2 (4.5/5), Martin Logan Summits (4.25/5), Martin Logan Vantage (4/5), Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor (3.75/5), AV123 Strata Mini (3.5/5), ML Mosaic (3.25/5), Onix Ref1 (3/5), Sonus Faber Concerto (2.75/5), SF Concertino (2.5/5), Axiom M22ti (2/5), Polk LSi9 (3/5), LSi7 (2.9/5)
    Source:
    Squeezebox 3 -> PS Audio Digital Link III -> Cary 306/200 CDP -> Cary 306 SACD -> EMM LABS DAC2X/TSDX
    Preamplification:
    Rotel RC1070 -> Rogue Perseus -> Cary SLP98 -> Cary SLP98F1 -> Cary SLP05 (sold and then repurchased) -> ARC 5se -> ARC Ref 40th Anniversary
    Amplification:
    HK AVR330 -> Rotel RB1070 -> Rotel RB1090 -> Plinius SA102 -> Cary 211FE -> Classe M600 -> Boulder 2060
    Subwoofer:
    Infinity Entra2 -> SVS 25-31PCi -> SVS 25-31PC+ -> Dual JL Audio F113v2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,371
    I still use Pandora free on the patio/pool rig because I love the music Pandora picks for me.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amplifier: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,950
    I have to say that is the one super power for Pandora. It’s ability to randomly select music based on a song or genre is uncanny. No other service can do it even close.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,371
    joecoulson wrote: »
    I have to say that is the one super power for Pandora. It’s ability to randomly select music based on a song or genre is uncanny. No other service can do it even close.

    I setup a station on Pandora called "Kansas Radio" and it nails everything I loved musically in the 70's and early 80's.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amplifier: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 9,485
    edited February 2019
    joecoulson wrote: »
    I have to say that is the one super power for Pandora. It’s ability to randomly select music based on a song or genre is uncanny. No other service can do it even close.

    I asked you about this as I have similar feelings about Pandora and used it for a long time, and you claimed that Tidal had a similar feature that you found adequate.

    I find it ridiculous that in 2019 the best quality that Pandora offers their paid subscribers is 192kbps mp3. So lame.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,371
    edited February 2019
    Tidal has pre-made playlists, but it's not the same radio-like experience of Pandora. Even at Pandora's lower stream rates, it still shames XM.

    Here's an odd observation; the (free) Pandora app on my Oppo plays commercial free; but the app on my Samsung BR player on the patio has occasional commercials.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amplifier: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 9,485
    edited February 2019
    Steve, aside from the audio quality when I tried the free trial of Tidal using the desktop app, that was the biggest issue I had.

    I inquired with support several times regarding how to go about getting that "radio" experience, and they kept referring me to the playlists. Well, the playlists were the same selection of songs every time, and various playlists I tried all had doubling up/overlap of songs. I expected it to be able to generate a completely new playlist each time I requested, so that I could have that true random radio listening experience like I had with Pandora.

    I was hoping that this was an area that they had improved on in the year since I last tried their service.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,371
    I think Pandora premium is 320kbs now....?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amplifier: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 9,485
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I think Pandora premium is 320kbs now....?

    From their support page: "Change Audio Quality on the Web

    Pandora on the Web plays 64k AAC+ for free listeners and 192kbps for Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium subscribers."
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,104
    edited February 2019
    Tidal now offers "artist radio" that, which perhaps not up to pandora or even spotify curated lists, is enjoyable. On the mobile app its the sound button next to the heart button.

    I prefer to make my own playlists while listening at work. Takes no extra time. Then if something cool pops up on artist radio or one of the "my mixes," I just add it to the playlist. I always nail everything I like about that genre!
    Living Room 2.1: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Crown XLS 1002 amp; Musical Fidelity A308; NAD M51 DAC; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology SM450; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology StudioMonitor350; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology promonitor 800; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,371
    I'll have to check that out...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amplifier: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,950
    Drew you are very shrewd
    Yes I did say that and I did say it was adequate but adequate is not a super power.
    The algorithms on Pandora are just above everyone else IMO
    But Tidals “go to track radio” feature does the job. And when it’s 44.1 it’s a darn sight better than 320 or less.
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