@michaeljbrown Just like Pandora, you can stream Tidal through your Sonos. Just follow the instructions here.
A primer:
1) For those who haven’t purchased a streamer yet, the process is simple. Just like with a one-box CD player, you can buy a $500 version or a $5000 version - or something in-between. With a two-box version, you can purchase a CD transport and a DAC, The advantage of the one-box version is that it’s simple and takes up less shelf space. The advantage of the two-box version is that you can replace or upgrade either box for better sound quality in the future. The downside of the two-box version is that it takes up more shelf space and an expensive digital cable is needed between them. Using quality power cords and vibration control would add to the cost for each box. Streaming is the exact same. To start, it would be a good idea to determine a price point for getting in the game. Better cables and power supplies can be bought at the start - or later in the game.
2) Producing the best sound quality is what escalates the cost. Digital jitter is a big issue with streaming as it with CD playback. The more expensive units have better jitter control. Laptops are most commonly used as the source for streaming. Unfortunately, laptops produce the most jitter via their noisy operating system (OS). Without qood quality jitter control, the sound quality would be like listening though an old AM car radio. You would immediately dismiss the SQ as unacceptable for a hi-fi rig. But, with good streamer, USB cable, power cable and power supply, the sound quality can almost compete with your analog rig.
3) There are several types of streamers. One size does not fit all. Which is best depends on what components you already have and how much you wish to spend. Also, will you be using the streamer for background music in your office - or will it be used for critical listening in your big rig.
4) For streaming Tidal HiFi, (CD quality), your internet connection should be fairly fast - somewhere around 15mbps or faster. 50-100mbps would be much better if other family members in the household are watching cable TV, Netflix or using another computer while you’re listening to Tidal. The router from the ISP must be able capable of delivering those higher speeds or the digital stream will have serious drop-outs.
Hope this helps a little bit.
A primer:
1) For those who haven’t purchased a streamer yet, the process is simple. Just like with a one-box CD player, you can buy a $500 version or a $5000 version - or something in-between. With a two-box version, you can purchase a CD transport and a DAC, The advantage of the one-box version is that it’s simple and takes up less shelf space. The advantage of the two-box version is that you can replace or upgrade either box for better sound quality in the future. The downside of the two-box version is that it takes up more shelf space and an expensive digital cable is needed between them. Using quality power cords and vibration control would add to the cost for each box. Streaming is the exact same. To start, it would be a good idea to determine a price point for getting in the game. Better cables and power supplies can be bought at the start - or later in the game.
2) Producing the best sound quality is what escalates the cost. Digital jitter is a big issue with streaming as it with CD playback. The more expensive units have better jitter control. Laptops are most commonly used as the source for streaming. Unfortunately, laptops produce the most jitter via their noisy operating system (OS). Without qood quality jitter control, the sound quality would be like listening though an old AM car radio. You would immediately dismiss the SQ as unacceptable for a hi-fi rig. But, with good streamer, USB cable, power cable and power supply, the sound quality can almost compete with your analog rig.
3) There are several types of streamers. One size does not fit all. Which is best depends on what components you already have and how much you wish to spend. Also, will you be using the streamer for background music in your office - or will it be used for critical listening in your big rig.
4) For streaming Tidal HiFi, (CD quality), your internet connection should be fairly fast - somewhere around 15mbps or faster. 50-100mbps would be much better if other family members in the household are watching cable TV, Netflix or using another computer while you’re listening to Tidal. The router from the ISP must be able capable of delivering those higher speeds or the digital stream will have serious drop-outs.
Hope this helps a little bit.