Tidal Lossless Streaming

[Luke Thomas]

Streaming Tidal how? Sometimes people use different DACs for Tidal vs. local flac files.

I purchased a new Ibasso160 dap. I have flac files on a sd card, also the digital player (dap) is android based. I can stream Tidal and play MQA. The flac files are chrystal clean. Tidal is not bad. Just not a clean sounding like the flac files.
I was just wondering if my wifi could limit Tidals sound. Via Focal Clear headphones.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

It's difficult to know what the problem is. I guess wifi could be involved, buffering problems, could be anything. For me I think Tidal MQA sounds easily as good as most FLAC I have and sometimes better.

To do a real comparison I guess you need to have the exact same album (same version, not just the same title) and compare.

 

[rkw]

The flac files are chrystal clean. Tidal is not bad. Just not a clean sounding like the flac files.

Many albums on Tidal (and other streaming services) have the UMG watermark. See my post: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tidal-masters-mqa-thread.838888/page-49#post-15280260

 

[peterinvan]

Anyone tried TIDAL HIFI on the KEF LS50 WIRELESS speakers and if so how is the implementation? Will it directly stream TIDAL HIFI masters and what about MQA/

I ran a test just now. I only see HiFi on the KEF WiFi Streaming App on my iPad.
To my ears, playing out of my PC to the LS50W sounded a bit better than the KEF App on my iPad.. The bass seemed to be tighter (faster?). Also the highs seem to sparkle a bit more.
One factor to consider... I feed the USB out of my PC through the iFi devices to ensure the maximum clean signal.

 

[Soundizer]

Is there an annual TIDAL HI-FI subscription offer which Is cheaper then paying monthly? I could not find such an offer for TIDAL HI-FI here in the UK.

 

[kukkurovaca]

Any thoughts on the "360 Reality Audio" content? I had completely missed this until I saw the toggle in settings and went "what the **** is that"

 

[Soundizer]

QOBUZ top tier service is now only 15.99 for first 100,000 USA Subscribers.

 

[BobSmith8901]

Any thoughts on the "360 Reality Audio" content? I had completely missed this until I saw the toggle in settings and went "what the **** is that"

I had no idea it even existed until your post. Looks like it's available in Android but not in the desktop app as far as I can tell. I checked it out on my Android tablet but didn't hear much, if any, difference with it on.

In the settings area it states "Play audio in 360 Reality Audio when available". Not sure what "when available" means. Maybe there has to be specific 360 Reality Audio content. Could be I just need to get into a quieter environment and use closed back cans. I guess I'll just leave it on. What's your experience with it?

Edit: Yes, upon further look one needs content mixed in 360. Initially I had thought it might add some dsp to any content. Anyway, I'll look for some of that artist content that SONY mentions on their website.

 

[kukkurovaca]

I had no idea it even existed until your post. Looks like it's available in Android but not in the desktop app as far as I can tell. I checked it out on my Android tablet but didn't hear much, if any, difference with it on.

In the settings area it states "Play audio in 360 Reality Audio when available". Not sure what "when available" means. Maybe there has to be specific 360 Reality Audio content. Could be I just need to get into a quieter environment and use closed back cans. I guess I'll just leave it on. What's your experience with it?

There is specific 360 content, same as with MQA. It should be obvious when you're hearing it -- they have a sample playlist here:

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/0250fea8-5123-4d14-aa71-58c81605a015

I gave it a listen and found that most of it sounded awful, like just someone had just messed around with mid/side sliders at best. But some of the older jazz tracks are good -- I'm guessing that those tracks are being derived from existing decent surround sound masters. When it works, it's an interesting effect, but I don't know even in those cases whether I prefer it to a well-mastered normal version of the same track.

I think it would probably be more interesting if tracks were produced from the start with its possibilities in mind? So maybe it if catches on.

 

[BobSmith8901]

There is specific 360 content, same as with MQA. It should be obvious when you're hearing it -- they have a sample playlist here:

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/0250fea8-5123-4d14-aa71-58c81605a015

I gave it a listen and found that most of it sounded awful, like just someone had just messed around with mid/side sliders at best. But some of the older jazz tracks are good -- I'm guessing that those tracks are being derived from existing decent surround sound masters. When it works, it's an interesting effect, but I don't know even in those cases whether I prefer it to a well-mastered normal version of the same track.

I think it would probably be more interesting if tracks were produced from the start with its possibilities in mind? So maybe it if catches on.

Yeah, I was a little slow on the uptake, wishful thinking I guess. I edited my last post. I'll check some of those tunes out from your link.

 

[BobSmith8901]

Yeah, I was a little slow on the uptake, wishful thinking I guess. I edited my last post. I'll check some of those tunes out from your link.

I added the 360 Reality Audio playlist. Watermelon Man--Yeah, definitely hearing it on this one. Larger sound stage and things kind of happening in a wider field. More reverby if nothing else. Not bad. Thanks again for the heads up.

 

[Soundizer]

Tidal Customer service is rubbish. I have been waiting 3 days for a simple question I asked after completing the long online form.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Tidal Customer service is rubbish. I have been waiting 3 days for a simple question I asked after completing the long online form.

This is well known. By the way, once you get their "answer" you will be sorry you didn't have to wait longer

From all the episodes I'm aware of with them the tactic is to try to push the issue back on you. They don't come out and say you're an idiot but they treat you like one. "Nobody else reported this." "It doesn't happen when we try it." But mostly, send us your logs so we can waste time before we do nothing.

 

[dcime]

They would not, refused to refund me back $19.99 for my closed, unauthorized account. They only answer you through email (ughhhhhhh). They have tons of cash, you would think they would want to help and retain their customers! Word of mouth goes a long way! I still think their .mqa files are all fudged up playing in different categories on different devices. Crazy but they have .mqa so, not much other choice, and they know it!

 

[paulgc]

Working now on the iPad. Need to try the iPhone. Not sure what changed.

It is working on all iOS devices again. Not sure what happened over the few weeks it was an issue. Problem wasn't solved... it just went away.