[jt25741]

Don't forget Qobuz had some problems with their Windows app during the beta test. It would sometimes stutter, distort or hang up and stop playing. Difference between Qobuz and Amazon is Qobuz was serious about customer service and worked hard to correct the problems, and the US product manager had and still has an active presence on another forum. However they rolled out Wasapi exclusive mode with the US beta. I don't have a problem giving Amazon time to improve the app, the question is do we even know if they intend to? I have not read one word from Amazon responding to any of the criticisms being brought up on audio forums.

The consistent approach I get from Amazon with any of my problems follows along these lines: Be nothing but courteous and respectful with the language used to the Customer (me). Always make sure to tell the customer how important they are to them, and how my satisfaction is a primary concern of theirs. After making the customer feel special and call/chat/email ends, never provide any follow-up of substance and treat the masses as what they really are to amazon... a giant humongous revenue stream. Have no cohesion between any of the user communities and people who can impact product quality, features or direction. If we happen to produce a product or feature that really is a big hit, it is because of random luck that an engineer on the inside happened to care about something and took care of it before it was released. This is largely the same problem other mega companies have like google with their product/field engagements and touch-points. Amazon is very bad with caring about small things that really bug a small amount of people a great deal. I will be shocked if they provide exclusive mode support at all, or any time soon.

 

[grokit]

Yeah I'm back with Tidal after experiencing too many dropouts with Ultra HD. I want to like Amazon, going with it even helped to justify my Prime membership, but I don't know if I will be able to continue with it. When I had an issue with Tidal's Prime app, they got back to me immediately with a solution, and they followed up.

I'm pretty sure I'll never get that kind of attention from AmazonGlobalCorp

 

[Richter Di]

I understand what you're saying, but like @exdmd said - I don't think you can trust what Amazon's telling you Try connecting an external DAC to your Mac (one that will correctly report the sample rate it receives). I think you're going to find it just gives you whatever sample rate you set in the audio midi setup. Regardless of HD or Ultra HD.

I use the Amazon Music app with the Unlimited HD trial membership on my FiiO M11 player. I output the SPDIF (also tried USB) signal from there to @Jan Meier ‘s Soul.
When I use the FiiO App digital output of the files is correct regarding kHz and bit.

With the Amazon Music App independently of HD or Ultra HD the FiiO M11 only puts out 48 kHz16 bit. Nothing else.
The streaming service Qobuz also on the FiiO M11 does output exactly the file kHz but only in 16 Bit (and only when it finally decides to work.)

 

[Soundizer]

I use the Amazon Music app with the Unlimited HD trial membership on my FiiO M11 player. I output the SPDIF (also tried USB) signal from there to @Jan Meier ‘s Soul.
When I use the FiiO App digital output of the files is correct regarding kHz and bit.

With the Amazon Music App independently of HD or Ultra HD the FiiO M11 only puts out 48 kHz16 bit. Nothing else.
The streaming service Qobuz also on the FiiO M11 does output exactly the file kHz but only in 16 Bit (and only when it finally decides to work.)

Interesting.

Is Amazon MUSIC HD App available on the FiO M11?

My understanding is that the M11 is limited to Android 7 and will not be updated to newer Android due to the Samsung chip in it. Therefore newer versions of Tidal and other Apps might not be up to date or fully featured compared to those running on latest Android OS.

 

[Soundizer]

Not sure if everyone has seen this, but it is from Amazon web pages. Obviously still no solution for incorrect KHz sampling.

For now I am only listening to 24bit / 96 KHz tracks in my free trial which is 90days. If they don’t fix it, I will go back to TIDAL HIFI.

from Amazon support site:

What audio quality does Amazon Music HD support?
Amazon Music HD offers lossless audio in two quality ranges: HD and Ultra HD.

HD tracks have a bit depth of 16-bits, a minimum sample rate of 44.1 kHz (also referred to as CD-quality), and an average bitrate of 850 kbps. Ultra HD tracks have a bit depth of 24 bits, sample rates ranging from 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz, and an average bitrate of 3730 kbps.

In comparison, most standard streaming services currently offer Standard Definition (SD) with a bitrate up to 320 kbps. These audio files use lossy compression, where details of the original audio are removed in order to reduce the file size. By contrast, Amazon Music HD preserves the original recording information to deliver the highest quality sound available, more than 2x the bitrate in HD and more than 10x the bitrate at the highest Ultra HD bitrate. Amazon Music HD will always play the highest quality content available, based on network, device capability and your selected settings.


Which iOS devices support Amazon Music HD?
Most iPhones and iPads released since 2014 (devices running on iOS 11, or later) can support HD/Ultra HD (up to 24-bit, 48kHz) without any additional equipment. In order to play songs at higher sample rates (96 or 192 kHz), iPhone customers can connect an external DAC capable of supporting those higher sample rates.

Apple AirPlay supports HD quality playback.

Which Android devices support Amazon Music HD?
Most Android devices running Android Lollipop, released in 2014, or later support HD/Ultra HD playback. However, Android devices vary widely in quality and purpose, so we advise checking manufacturer specifications for HD/Ultra HD support.

At this time Amazon Music HD is not supported on Chromecast.

Which Mac devices support Amazon Music HD?
Any Mac from 2013 or later supports HD/Ultra HD. However, adjusting the default Mac audio settings is required to listen in the highest quality:

• Go to Applications/Utilities folder
  
• Open “Audio MIDI Setup.app”
  
• Update speaker or headphone “Format” setting to the highest sample rate for 24-bit (96 kHz or 192 kHz)

Which Windows devices support Amazon Music HD?
PC support for HD/Ultra HD playback depends on the built-in audio player and DAC, which varies by device. Please check your manufacturer specifications.

Which home audio devices support Amazon Music HD?
Amazon Music is integrated in to many home audio devices, including receivers, amplifiers, speakers, and sound bars. Often, you can control playback directly by signing in to Amazon Music within the manufacturer application. For a list of our preferred partners, click here.

We are constantly working to bring Amazon Music to more devices by partnering with leading audio manufacturers. If your device is not listed in our preferred brands, you may still be able to play Amazon Music HD through a wired or wireless connection on your device.

How do I know if I need an external DAC?
If your device has a built-in DAC that does not support HD/Ultra HD audio, then you need an external DAC when connecting your player to your headphones or speakers to listen in HD/Ultra HD.

In order to play Ultra HD, the external DAC at a minimum must be capable of processing files with a bit depth of 24-bit and sample rates of at least 44.1 kHz. Check the DAC specifications to ensure it can play higher sample rates available with Ultra HD (48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz).

On iOS, disable the Alexa Wake Word feature in Settings to ensure playback through your DAC at the highest resolution.

At this time, external DACs are not supported on Android.


Which headphones/speakers support Amazon Music HD?
Headphones and speakers with a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz are recommended to best appreciate HD playback. Headphones certified with a Hi-Res Audio logo have an even higher frequency response (greater than 40 kHz), and are best for Ultra HD playback.

Most wireless headphones compress audio during transmission and are unable to support HD and higher quality playback. Some wireless headphones and Android devices that use advanced Bluetooth with either the Qualcomm aptX/aptX HD or Sony LDAC wireless standards, can support HD/Ultra HD playback (up to 24-bit, 48kHz).


How much space will Amazon Music HD files take up when downloaded to my device?
The size of a music download depends on how the song was converted to a digital file, with higher-quality lossless files typically demanding larger file sizes. For a song 3 1/2 minutes long, here are file size examples at maximum resolution:

• SD (lossy): 9 MB
• HD (lossless, 44.1 kHz sample rate): 51 MB
• Ultra HD (lossless, max 192 kHz sample rate): 153 MB

By comparison, a 30-minute HD video (1080p) has an average file size of 1.8 GB. That means in the same space as a single episode of HD television, you can store more than 2 hours of HD music on your device.

[paste:font size="5"]What data speed does my internet connection need to be to listen to Amazon Music HD?
A consistent internet connection of least 1.5 Mbps—typically available in LTE signals—is needed for HD streaming. A connection of at least 5 Mbps is needed for Ultra HD streaming.

• HD audio may use up to 5.5 MB of data per minute.
• Ultra HD audio, at the highest available audio quality (192 kHz sample rate), uses up to 12 MB of data per minute.

[/paste:font]
Actual experience depends on device capability.


How do I know the audio quality of content I am listening to?
When listening to music on Amazon Music HD, you can tap/click on the SD/HD/Ultra HD badge on the Now Playing screen and view the following streaming details -

• 
  
  
  • Track quality - The highest-quality file available for that track in the Amazon Music HD catalog.
  • Device capability - The highest-quality audio that your device operating system reports that it is capable of.
  • Currently playing at - The quality of the source file of the currently playing track. For streaming, the current source file quality may change due to varying network conditions.

Your choice of speakers, headphones, and listening conditions also impacts overall sound quality.

 

[Richter Di]

Interesting.

Is Amazon MUSIC HD App available on the FiO M11?

My understanding is that the M11 is limited to Android 7 and will not be updated to newer Android due to the Samsung chip in it. Therefore newer versions of Tidal and other Apps might not be up to date or fully featured compared to those running on latest Android OS.

Using APKPure allows you to download the latest apps.

 

[exdmd]

The consistent approach I get from Amazon with any of my problems follows along these lines: Be nothing but courteous and respectful with the language used to the Customer (me). Always make sure to tell the customer how important they are to them, and how my satisfaction is a primary concern of theirs. After making the customer feel special and call/chat/email ends, never provide any follow-up of substance and treat the masses as what they really are to amazon... a giant humongous revenue stream. Have no cohesion between any of the user communities and people who can impact product quality, features or direction. If we happen to produce a product or feature that really is a big hit, it is because of random luck that an engineer on the inside happened to care about something and took care of it before it was released. This is largely the same problem other mega companies have like google with their product/field engagements and touch-points. Amazon is very bad with caring about small things that really bug a small amount of people a great deal. I will be shocked if they provide exclusive mode support at all, or any time soon.

Yup does not sound promising for any changes to the Amazon Music HD app. Probably the best hope we have for bit perfect, automatic sample rate and bit depth switching soon is if Amazon strikes a deal with Audirvana ... if they can afford the licensing fee. Roon has talked to them but apparently needs more daily data pushed to them than the Amazon API provides.

However I don't think Audirvana or Roon integration fits into Amazon's business plan. You don't like the limitations of their desktop app? Well then Amazon wants you to buy a streamer from one of their business partners.

 

[Soundizer]

any difference between downloaded to streamed ultra hd quality? It sounds the same to me so far. Got fast internet here.

 

[harpo1]

Using APKPure allows you to download the latest apps.

The problem is Amazon HD only works for very few people with the M11. All we get is a spinning wheel and it never plays any music.

 

[Richter Di]

The problem is Amazon HD only works for very few people with the M11. All we get is a spinning wheel and it never plays any music.

If you found the magic trick it works flawless. Just play a 88.2 kHz with a third party app. Afterwards Amazon Music works without a problem.

 

[harpo1]

If you found the magic trick it works flawless. Just play a 88.2 kHz with a third party app. Afterwards Amazon Music works without a problem.

Can it be from Tidal?

 

[Richter Di]

Can it be from Tidal?

Sorry, I do not have Tidal. Do not know. But here is a link to a free 88.2 Sample Track from eClassical: https://www.eclassical.com/custom/eclassical/files/BIS1447-002-flac_24.flac
Just download to the FiiO M11, start the Onkyo player, play the song and its done.

 

[harpo1]

Sorry, I do not have Tidal. Do not know. But here is a link to a free 88.2 Sample Track from eClassical: https://www.eclassical.com/custom/eclassical/files/BIS1447-002-flac_24.flac
Just download to the FiiO M11, start the Onkyo player, play the song and its done.

This didn't work. I still get the spinning wheel.

 

[Richter Di]

This didn't work. I still get the spinning wheel.

Dif you try it after uninstalling and reinstalling the Amazon Music app. Just asking because this was the way I did it and since then it runs although I’m using different players and streaming platforms inbetween.

 

[harpo1]

Dif you try it after uninstalling and reinstalling the Amazon Music app. Just asking because this was the way I did it and since then it runs although I’m using different players and streaming platforms inbetween.

Yeah I did. Current Amazon HD is 16.2.5 so I even tried going back to 16.2.4. Nothing has worked. I give up and I'll just continue to use Tidal.