2. digital
  3. 161303-911

Amazon HD streaming service ...

As you probably know, Amazon has a HD streaming service, which sends High Quality Audio files, as opposed to their standard service, which I understand is Mpeg3.    Has anyone tried it and if so, any comments? 

We are currently on Spotify Premium with AAC files, since my daughter set it up and had a couple thousand songs on various playlists she moved to our account.   The playlists are great but I would like to get better sound quality and, frankly, since I am a Prime member, it is also $3 less a month.   $3 less and better sound quality, what is not to like?

Also, does anyone have any idea how to transfer the playlists to a new service?   

Thanks,

Robert
128x128spatialking

Showing 3 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,818 posts
 
I'm using it. I use it on an ipad connecting to a Node 2i streamer. It has a very good selection of tracks and the price is much below others. Ultra HD tracks sound great and the HD tracks, too. Not sure if HD tracks are at Redbook quality or lower. Amazon says 856 bps in some places and I'd like clarification on that.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,818 posts
 
I suppose I'm a bit confused — because the deals keep changing.

My understanding was that Amazon was $13/month for Prime members and Qobuz (for high res) was $22/month. So…that's not true anymore? I see that Qobuz is available for much less — but is that at high res or mostly CD quality?

Also, does anyone know the depth of the high res catalog, Amazon vs. Qobuz?

Your answers may help me decide whether to quit my service, so thank you in advance for any current information.

P.S. Here are some facts about Amazon:

It's $13/ month for Prime members
"Amazon Music HD offers lossless audio in two quality ranges: HD and Ultra HD. HD tracks are 16-bit audio, with a minimum sample rate of 44.1 kHz (16/44.1 is also referred to as CD-quality), and an average bitrate of 850 kbps. Ultra HD tracks have a bit depth of 24 bits, with sample rates ranging from 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz, and an average bitrate of 3730 kbps."
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,818 posts
 
@cleeds 

Qobuz offers a free 30-day trial. Why not try it for yourself?

I have tried it. It's good. But my question is not one that can be answered in this way. It's about the depth of the high-res catalog, in numbers. Early on, Qobuz was criticized for not having that many high-res tracks. I am looking for some numerical comparisons.
More to discover