2. pc-audio
  3. 124376-81069

Who has tried "TIDAL" vs other streaming applications?

Hello, I'm new to Audiogon, this is my first posting into Forums.

I enjoy streaming audio from my PC and have been using Spotify for a number of years now (college student discount to premium $5 a month). I just recently stumbled upon a App called TIDAL, that streams Lossless 16/44.1FLAC with their "HI-FI" subscription (Student $10 a month). Since I can queue up Spotify and Tidal at the same time, I was able to do an A/B and used Dire Straits Brothers in Arms. I noticed that TIDAL indeed sounds better to me but am convinced none of my family members could tell a difference. I then did an A/B with TIDAL and the actual Brothers in Arms CD, to my surprise TIDAL sounded scary close, if not just as good as the CD! This is hard for me to believe, I think I'm just trying to justify the extra cost of TIDAL on a crazy tight student budget, maybe its a placebo effect? I need to drop one of the services, but which one? I would appreciate your thoughts please... Thank you!
My system:
PC = Gaming Rig I built myself, using dedicated high quality audio card.
Krell KAV 400xi integrated
Sonus Faber Electa's with Sunfire HRS Sub
Cambridge AZUR 840C CDP/DAC
Luxman T117 Tuner
Sony SCD - C2000ES SACD Player
Kimber Silver Streak throughout  


grm
ejr1953
542 posts
 
I have a Spotify account for my wife (iPad) and a Tidal account for me and my audio system (Windows 10, USB connection to the DAC).

For my Tidal listening, I prefer to download and install their app, instead of using the browser version, one less set of "variables".  I have found the performance and SQ from Tidal to be awesome.

From what I’m reading, it sounds like sometime soon Tidal will be offering MQA, at first thru their app, later thru the browser version. I hope that they will be doing the conversion from MQA to whatever will be accepted by my DAC in the app, and not require that we purchase new "MQA-capable" DACs to enjoy the improvement in SQ. Time will tell.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
4,637 posts
 
No need to download music from Tidal  into Roon . Amazing sonic combo that sounds as good as my past $9000 Dac and transport. Roon and Tidal together is the best thing to ever happen in audio for us audiophiles. Wow is all I say daily as I experience all kinds of new music. 
dbtom2
295 posts
 
grannyring, Yes! It  IS a daily wow! The only downside is not having enough time to explore...
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,606 posts
 
The download is just so you can play the music.  It did not reside on my harddrive, just the tag lines.  Every time I started it up again, I had to redownload everything.  I will try Transporter/Tidal w/o ickstream if I can figure it out.

thanks,
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,606 posts
 
Perfect!  Thanks guys!
More to discover