Spotify Premium vs Tidal ... opinions?

I tried Tidal for the first time yesterday. The sound quality is very close to CDs that I've ripped via dBpoweramp. I compared several songs and every time the ripped CD sounded better. That being said, I'm going to keep Tidal.

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.

I’m hardcore into vinyl but became curious about streaming. So I bought the Auralic Aries Mini bundled with a year of Tidal to use in a second system. After listening for the past week, all I can say is wow! It really sounds good!

I have a Marantz SA-11S2 in this system as well. In an A/B comparison to Coltrane’s Blue Train on Redbook CD, I liked the Tidal/Mini better.

I won’t be giving up my turntables any time soon but I’m frankly amazed at what Tidal delivers, even through a five-inch square of plastic like the Mini. Remarkable.

David, thanks for the tip. What brand of fuse do you like in there (if I may momentarily divert the thread)?