Spotify Premium vs Tidal ... opinions?

Cerrot - "Lets [sic] get real." ... directed to anyone in particular?

Ps - that's too funny...the exact same link I was logging on to post.
At this stage, I'm in the same position w/r to Spotify vs Tidal. I use Spotify's large
library mainly to explore new music. Things I like enough, I buy. I can definitely
hear a difference between the actual CD and the Spotify file. Does that wreck
Spotify listening for me? No. Not at all. Music on the Spot. CAN sound darn
good.

Comments on the link Ps posted are worth reading.

Also worth remembering not all MP3s are the same. Info at this link might be of
interest.

[url=http://computer.howstuffworks.com/mp32.htm]Differences in MP3s[/url]

Hey back at you Ps - Comments are certainly not intended to argue about Tidal vs Spotify sonic quality, more to reflect different priorities and considerations that seem relevant when comparing the two.

"I listen to more and different music now....I''m much more interested in the content rather than 'how it sounds' as long as it sounds good to me....". Coming from a time when I thought the Beatles' latest hits on a Japanese transistor radio were fantastic, I very much agree with that.

One feature of Spotify I'm spending more and more time using is the Browse/Discover function. It's introducing me to a LOT of stuff I otherwise never would have heard.

If you are so inclined, please share any new discoveries you make (via Spotify or other) over at "What's in your CDP tonight (the Minority Report)." It's for digitally formatted music whatever the source.

"Choose music, listen, be happy" is a great mantra for this hobby.

Ciao

Bob - Streaming from computer to a DAC external to the computer will give you better sound quality than trying to use the computer's DAC and running from the headphone jack into your 2 channel system.  The quality of that outboard DAC will definitely influence final sound quality.  You can spend thousands on an external DAC...but there are some very good options for under $1000.  Many newer integrated amps and even CDPs are being offered that have high quality internal DACs, so that's another wrinkle to consider.

Personally, I listen to on-line music...e.g., Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, YouTube via a MacBook Air that's connected by a Pangea USB cable to a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 USB/SPDIF converter and from that to a Schiit Gungnir DAC via Stereovox digital coax cable.  I connect the Gungnir DAC using Morrow Audio interconnects (MA-3?  MA-4? don't remember) to my pre-amp or to an integrated amp.  

More and more DACs can accommodate a USB input directly.  If such is the case, a USB/SPDIF converter might not be essential or provide any benefit depending on how the DAC is designed.  Hope this helps.  

Bob - 
The question I was addressing was, "...to what device do you stream to get the best sound quality?"  My short answer could have been, "a DAC".  My reply had nothing to do with the best connector for signal transfer.  

Regardless of the potentially irrelevant, non-music purposes that USB cables have served, it is worth noting how many audio devices are now equipped with USB ports.  The article on USB/SPDIF converters at the link here is also worth reading: http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2013/07/when-should-you-use-an-external-usb-spdif-converter/   
As noted in the article and in my earlier response, these converters are not always essential with more recent implementations of USB mediated digital input.  Where a bus-powered converter is used, the issue of power related noise is easily addressed by using a two headed USB cable with separate leg for a non-computer power source.

I was certainly not attempting to argue USB was the best method for signal transfer, though it does seem to work just fine for me.  I only provided details of how I do it because, like you, I use a MAC product for streaming. If you are able to implement Cerrot's approach and enjoy a superior listening experience, wonderful.  I am curious how easy it would be to upgrade the  sound card on a Mac...might be a more attractive option on a Windows-based machine.  

Hope whatever you do enhances your music listening.   

Bob - we're quickly reaching the limit of what I know...a couple of suggestions before spending any more on a USB cable. 
1) try TIDAL.  See if that gets you closer to the CD quality sound you are looking for vs Spotify.  They offer a free (30...maybe even 60 day) trial so worth trying that.  I'm very happy with Spotify and do note that not all their content has the same sound quality.  

2) I don't know how good the DACs are in your Peachtree.  They might not benefit BUT see if you can negotiate trialing a USB/SPDIF converter.  In my experience that made a big difference in SQ vs straight USB input to a DAC.  Empirical Audio (Steve Nugent) offers a pretty high quality converter as well as in-home trial.  Worth looking into.  Return it if no benefit.  This also assumes you have a coax input to your Peachtree;'s DACs. 

3) For some lower cost converter options, see info here.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/15-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-spdif-converters-shootout-15327/
I used a V-Link with the original V-DAC and that made a big improvement in SQ.  The V-Link died and I replaced it with a V-Link 192 that I use with my Gungnir.  Would try Steve's Offramp converter if I were willing to pay that kind of scratch.  Might try a Gustard U-12 from China (see Ebay).

4)  I'd experiment with source and converter and then see what a new USB cable gets you.  Audio Advisor carries them.  I can tell you for sure the Pangea I bought was absolutely NOT top of their line.  You can pay stupid money for so-called "Audiophile USB" cables.  Wireworld Starlight series gets good reviews...series 7 Platinum is, I think, top of that line.  


Have fun.  Hope you get the sound you are looking for.