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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
grm OP
72 posts
 
Hi, hgeifman.
Great recording, "Exactly Like This" by Doug MacLeod, I think it demonstrates how great Tidal can sound! Just like with CD's or SACD's, there are great recordings and some not so great. I believe TIDAL seems true to the quality of the recording. That's one of the many fun things with TIDAL, finding some really fantastic recordings and so many to choose from!

P.S. it's Doug MacLeod and not MacLeon for those who choose to queue up this album and have a listen, it's great!
miko71's avatar
miko71
60 posts
 
Jay Z, former drug dealer and Racist... Like I said.. He won't see one thin dime from me.
steakster
720 posts
 
FWIW:  I've been comparing the HIFI SQ streaming Tidal via Chrome vs the Tidal app.   My ears discern a cleaner signal via the Tidal app.  Of course, that discovery caused some more tweaking to take place.  Ha!
grm OP
72 posts
 
Hi,
Is it my imagination or is TIDAL applying some EQ to their playback? I have recently noticed more bass and an ever so lightly rolled off top end. Maybe its just my imagination or the type of music I'm listening to?

Anyone else out there who has been listening to TIDAL for some time notice this? Maybe its just the way new releases are mastered in the recording studio? Perhaps new releases are being mastered for cell phones and ear buds..
jl35
2,244 posts
 
I think your last sentence has been true for some time now...
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