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Tidal music

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Chris Townsend
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Chris Townsend Posted: Thu, Oct 30 2014 4:42 PM
I've recently been using Spotify, but have read many a recent rave review about Tidal, which essentially is a Spotify/Deezer HD type of service.

It costs £20 per month(£10 per month more) but has a download quality of 1411kbps v Deezer/Spotify 320kbps. I've been comparing it to Spotify on my Beolab 8000 Mk2/Beolab 7-6 combo, and it is very impressive in its quite noticeable difference. Worth a free trial at leastYes - thumbs up

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VANTAGE
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VANTAGE replied on Thu, Oct 30 2014 5:31 PM

Thanks Chris - I am eagerly waiting for this service to be made available in France as well (it's US and UK only for the moment) and, who knows, available on the BeoSound 5 / BeoMaster 5 as well.

Everything I've heard until now is that Tidal's sound quality is indeed above Spotify, Deezer et al.

 

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Chris Townsend
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The interface is miles better than Qobuz, and playing Annie Lennox through the A9 is brilliant! A lot of high end companies have already signed up for Tidal integration, NAD, Linn and McIntosh to name a few.

ps was in beautiful Arras and Lille last weekYes - thumbs up

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Millemissen
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I've been using WiMP (which is the original name still used in Scandinavia and Germany...) since they started streaming lossless (HiFi) about a year ago.

The quality is definetely quite awesome. But in many cases - in the kitchen cooking, in the car (using off-line content etc - I can't really tell the difference to Spotify Premium.

I still stick to it, because I often sit down to listen to music - that's where you (might) hear a difference.

What pi**es me off, is that you can't play an album gapless - Spotify is much better for this.

And often I don't find the things I am looking for - which is more seldom with Spotify.

That may of cource be different for others with different  priorities - I know.

 

I guess the interface of your -Tidal - version is different from the one I/we know.

Comparing the two (WiMP/Spotify), I find the Spotify interface better.

However - when 'heavy listening' I use WiMP through the (iPad) iPeng-app/Squeezebox to the Playmaker.

The interface in iPeng is a bit different from the original - but this way I can access my local files in the same interface (and netradio-stations).

 

The question about support in BS/BM5 for WiMP/Tidal has been asked a lot of times here (in Scandinavia).

I surely hope, that the start in the UK/USA makes it possible in near future - and for the tv's too!

 

MM

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Chris Townsend
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And will it be used in the Moment? Deezer HD 320kbps v 1411kbps Tidal

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Millemissen
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Sure Smile

M🎃M

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linder
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linder replied on Fri, Oct 31 2014 6:57 PM

Millemissen:

I've been using WiMP (which is the original name still used in Scandinavia and Germany...) since they started streaming lossless (HiFi) about a year ago.

The quality is definitely quite awesome. But in many cases - in the kitchen cooking, in the car (using off-line content etc - I can't really tell the difference to Spotify Premium.

I still stick to it, because I often sit down to listen to music - that's where you (might) hear a difference.

What pi**es me off, is that you can't play an album gapless - Spotify is much better for this.

And often I don't find the things I am looking for - which is more seldom with Spotify.

That may of cource be different for others with different  priorities - I know.

 

I guess the interface of your -Tidal - version is different from the one I/we know.

Comparing the two (WiMP/Spotify), I find the Spotify interface better.

However - when 'heavy listening' I use WiMP through the (iPad) iPeng-app/Squeezebox to the Playmaker.

The interface in iPeng is a bit different from the original - but this way I can access my local files in the same interface (and netradio-stations).

 

The question about support in BS/BM5 for WiMP/Tidal has been asked a lot of times here (in Scandinavia).

I surely hope, that the start in the UK/USA makes it possible in near future - and for the tv's too!

 

MM

I listened to the WiMP web version.  It is almost the same as the Tidal version in the US.  I also used the version for iPhone 6.  The sound is wonderful and I do like it.  However I mostly listen to classical music and some rock.  I found the selections quite limited.  My wife is from the western US and loves country music.  She hated Tidal and said the country music was not really country music at all.  

I found out about Tidal through Facebook in Tone magazine.  It appears that it is being marketed to the audiophile crowd.  They have a lot of competition in the US especially if Apple decides to offer HD streaming in April which is rumored.  Qobuz announced they will probably be launching their service in the US in December.

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Maab replied on Tue, Nov 4 2014 10:32 PM
Just subscribed to this service...

It's very nice. But I'm having hiccups when using AirPlay. I would much prefer to use the iPhone to control the music.

Do you think AirPlay cannot handle full resolution?

My service provider is Fios (50mb).

I wish the radio feature worked like it did with MOG...

Best,
Chris Townsend
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Me too hence my thread about the A9. I'll be pissed if the internals can't handle just CD quality streamingSuper Angry

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leosgonewild
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Just got this email from Tidal:

 

 

News: TIDAL is expanding in Europe

Since our launch in the US, UK and Canada, we’ve been thrilled by the huge amount of interest we’ve received from the media, fans, artists and the Music Industry alike. 
We are very pleased to announce that TIDAL is now also available in the following countries: BelgiumIrelandLuxembourgFinland and Netherlands.
Using it now. Love the looks of the iOS app. much nicer than Spotify.
Horrible search function on both iOS and OSX app Angry

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Millemissen
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That is what should have been available on the Moment.

Hopefully they have made the system flexible -  in order to change provider, when possible and wanted.

Probably they have taken the 'secure path' and have choosen a partner (Deezer), which is present in most countries.

And - who knows - maybe Deezer will go lossless some day?

MM

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Millemissen
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leosgonewild:

Just got this email from Tidal:


Horrible search function on both iOS and OSX app Angry

Seems that noone want us to search anymore Crying

Everyone seem to know much better, what we have to listen to. They want to nurse us.

Personally one big search field would be enough for me as userinterface!

MM

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leosgonewild
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The search function is so horrible that I might actually stick to Spotify. Causes more frustration than joy.

But the import function of Spotify playlist is near Smile

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Millemissen
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Oops - wrong thread Embarrassed

MM

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leosgonewild
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Norwegian artists gives her view on Tidal being "driven by the artist". Quite interesting read. It is in Norwegian, but yall got googl translate. http://www.vg.no/rampelys/musikk/susanne-sundfoer-bra-at-tidal-proever/a/23428000/

 

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vikinger
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Having seen Madonna signing up to the relaunch of Tidal with her leg cocked up onto the table, and reading the names of the other so called 'Stars' behind this service, it is something with which  I will not be contaminating my B&O systems.

Graham

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It is actually nice that *** artists remove themself from spotify Stick out tongue

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Puncher
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Puncher replied on Thu, Apr 2 2015 11:29 AM

If it's a "very noticeable difference" I'd be wanting to know the origin of the standard and HD files , are they encoded versions of the same source file or are they (as a cynic like myself would expect) "fettled" to give an audible difference to justify the extra tenner a month!

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Chris
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Chris replied on Thu, Apr 2 2015 11:38 AM

I don't believe a word of Jay Z telling at launch Tidal's profits will go directly to the artists, yes... to benefit huge pop stars who are already rich.

Anyway he don't get my money.

"Believe nothing you read and only half of what you see, let your ears tell you the truth."

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Banix replied on Thu, Apr 2 2015 12:01 PM

I had a quick listen to their comparison test using Sennheiser HD 800 headphones with a Sennheiser HDVD 800 DAC/amplifier and I was unable to hear any audible difference between the two sources.

http://test.tidalhifi.com

 

 

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Puncher
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Puncher replied on Thu, Apr 2 2015 12:13 PM

Banix:

I had a quick listen to their comparison test using Sennheiser HD 800 headphones with a Sennheiser HDVD 800 DAC/amplifier and I was unable to hear any audible difference between the two sources.

http://test.tidalhifi.com

 

From Createdigitalmusic site, -

"So far, out of a friends list of hundreds of people who are producers, I haven't heard a single person getting consistent 5/5 results with even these tracks".

Also if you repeat the test several times you get different results.

Ban boring signatures!

leosgonewild
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I decided to stick with spotify. It integrates much easier. I am able to use it on ATV, MacBook, iPhone, PS4, and control all of them from any device via spotify connect.

I have done tons of listening test, and I can't hear any difference.

I actually don't consider myself an audiophile anymore.

Even listening to a classical concert live I caught myself thinking something was lacking.

It is time to start to just enjoy music again, instead of always chasing the "best sound". It is more fun to try new speakers.

But I can say one thing: ever since I stopped torrenting music, I have been proud of payments no for what I am consuming. But if artists starts to make it difficult to pay them, they are not getting my money. I will simply get their music a different way and import I to spotify.

I grew up with cd's, then started to downloading without paying. Then I started to pay. If they don't want my money the way it is easy for me to give it, they can stay without.

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vikinger
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vikinger replied on Thu, Apr 2 2015 12:35 PM

You have to ask yourself whether you are trying to stream a level of data that your router or player cannot cope with without constant rebufferring, and also whether you can hear the difference anyway. There's also no point obsessing over frequencies that you cannot hear..... Relevant to those over 40 who are not dogs. The latter also applies to speaker choice.

Let's face it, most of the music produced by the so called stars behind this system is electronically distorted and downgraded in the studio in the first place.

Graham

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I wonder if Only One with Kanye West feat Paul McCartney sounds good on any speakers setup :P

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Mark
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Mark replied on Thu, Apr 2 2015 9:43 PM
how does $20 a month in the US equate to £20 a month in the UK ......

we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.

AnalogPlanet
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Finally trying TIDAL HiFi 1411kbps on my A9, sounds spectacular. Really huge difference from Deezer Premium 320kbps.

Love it.

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Raeuber replied on Thu, Jul 2 2015 8:40 PM
AnalogPlanet:

Finally trying TIDAL HiFi 1411kbps on my A9, sounds spectacular. Really huge difference from Deezer Premium 320kbps.

Love it.

Sorry, but you can't tell me that you can hear a difference between 1411 and 320kbps with a speaker like A9! Probably the volume level of TIDAL is higher.

Regards

Räuber
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So you have an opinion, just not sure if you've ever streamed both Deezer Premium and TIDAL HiFi on A9 to make a comparison? I'm not here to sell anything, okay?

Geoff Martin
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Raeuber:

Sorry, but you can't tell me that you can hear a difference between 1411 and 320kbps with a speaker like A9! Probably the volume level of TIDAL is higher.

Sorry, but it's incorrect to assume that the only audio quality difference between streaming services is the CODEC and bitrate... Some services, even the ones labeled "premium" or "high-quality" are doing dynamic range compression - either before the CODEC encoding or after the decoding... This difference would potentially be more audible than the difference between a 44.1/16 lossless stream and a 320 kbps CODEC.

Link

Cheers

-geoff 

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Paul W replied on Fri, Jul 3 2015 2:17 PM

You've got everyone thinking and buzzing now Geoff!!!   Maybe paying DOUBLE for a lossless streaming service is PURE MARKETING at its worst!

I can't get my hear around 'renting' music. Brilliant for films but music? I hope we don't create a generation that never owns a music library. That would be real sad :(  Same for books :) Never any software issues for books :)

Millemissen
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Geoff Martin:

[Some services, even the ones labeled "premium" or "high-quality" are doing dynamic range compression - either before the CODEC encoding or after the decoding... This difference would potentially be more audible than the difference between a 44.1/16 lossless stream and a 320 kbps CODEC.

So now we have to find out, which service is doing so and which is not :-))

MM

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Paul W
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Paul W replied on Fri, Jul 3 2015 2:28 PM

Maybe they all are to a certain degree MM :) Maybe it's done deliberately so that it doesn't 100% compete with a paid for download? all downloaded music from Apple Music for offline listening contains DRM!

Millemissen
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Paul W:

I can't get my hear around 'renting' music. Brilliant for films but music? I hope we don't create a generation that never owns a music library. That would be real sad :(  Same for books :) Never any software issues for books :)

Music, movies and book are for listening to, viewing and reading - not for being stored on a shelf (or on a harddrive).

Unless you want to show off, what you listen to watch or read ;-)))

(Sorry - an off-topic comment. I could not help it).

MM

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Millemissen
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Paul W:

Maybe they all are to a certain degree MM :) Maybe it's done deliberately so that it doesn't 100% compete with a paid for download?

Maybe, but - as a costumer - I have the right to know WHAT I am paying for.

Maybe some people like the 'compressed version' more than the 'uncompressed' - that should be a personal decision.

Still we should be able to choose between these - and that requires transparency of the involved processing.

Who is doing what???

MM

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Jeff
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Jeff replied on Fri, Jul 3 2015 2:45 PM

Millemissen:

Paul W:

I can't get my hear around 'renting' music. Brilliant for films but music? I hope we don't create a generation that never owns a music library. That would be real sad :(  Same for books :) Never any software issues for books :)

Music, movies and book are for listening to, viewing and reading - not for being stored on a shelf (or on a harddrive).

Unless you want to show off, what you listen to watch or read ;-)))

(Sorry - an off-topic comment. I could not help it).

MM

What's an internet forum thread if it can't get off topic! Wink

With me it's both a matter of space efficiency and organization. Both music and books and such take up a lot of space, and with keeping digital copies not only are they all on a small HD but with search I can actually find things. Books I tend to keep are ones that are not available digitally or which are large art type picture books that don't translate well to computer viewing. I still keep my CDs but in storage, as I have a lot of them that aren't available on streaming, ripped into my PC is the way I use them though. Also for books, being able to adjust text size and read white on black is easier as your eyes age, though everything about reading on a tablet isn't as good as a book, flipping around is tougher.

Streaming services though have expanded my listening a lot, by letting me listen to things without purchasing them outright and being disappointed. I've found a number of new artists this way.

Movies, again, not enough of the catalog is available streaming, so DVDs/BluRays will be with me for a while, both owned and Netflix rental.

As for Tidal, I'm happy with the audio quality of Spotify high bit rate so doubt I'll take that plunge, at least not for a while. What will be interesting is, now that there are going to be as many streaming services as there are, how the catalogs shake out. All of an artist on  only one service? Part on each? All on every service? That licensing issue is going to be interesting to watch settle out, I do know one of the big things that irritates me about Netflix streaming is how often things seem to disappear when the licenses are up. The Lexx went away while I was working my way thru the series, serious bummer. Will that happen on music streamers? Will I one day go to listen to an artist or album and find it's gone?

Jeff

I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus. Sad

Andrew
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Andrew replied on Fri, Jul 3 2015 4:01 PM

Yet again I find myself agreeing with MM - too much clutter wether digital or physical is a bad thing - stops you seeing the wood for the trees

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elephant replied on Sat, Jul 4 2015 12:58 AM
Paul W:

Never any software issues for books :)

Hmmm not so sure ...

Some of my eBooks have received untracked updates while I am part way through reading them

Dear Abby,

What should I do ?

Start reading from page one ?

Again ?

Again ?

Uh oh ground hog day ...

BeoNut since '75

Millemissen
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Dear elephantt,

you just have to read faster - faster, than the updates are coming ;-)

MM

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Millemissen
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Millemissen:

Maybe, but - as a costumer - I have the right to know WHAT I am paying for.

Maybe some people like the 'compressed version' more than the 'uncompressed' - that should be a personal decision.

Still we should be able to choose between these - and that requires transparency of the involved processing.

Who is doing what???

MM

Starting to dig for answers or hints to this questions - which seems quite tough - I came across this article:

http://productionadvice.co.uk/wrong-about-spotify/

The guy behind the article is not a mister nobody - it is Ian Shepherd, who is a mastering engineer and known for his 'Dynamic Range Day' initiative.

Interesting read - but I need to dig for more infos.

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV

Paul W
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Paul W replied on Sat, Jul 4 2015 11:46 AM

Haha Elephant, I was talking about real books. Not horrible Ebooks. They are not books :) :) :)  Real books, the ones that have lovely paper and a soul :)

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