Amazon Launches Lossless "Hi-rez" HD Music Service

Not sure why, I remember from my days with the Vault2 that Amazon Music was there as a service.
I tried it and it worked for sure.

Just downloaded the 90 day free trial.  I've been using Spotify because of the cost and ease of use.  I like the fact that I can control Spotify with multiple devices.  I use a laptop from my listening seat to control the notebook that's connected to my stereo.  Can't do that with Amazon.  I have to get up and check the one on the stereo to see if I would like to save an artist from a playlist.  I can scan and save artists, playlists, albums, etc. from the one on my lap, but the list is independent of any other device, so I have to do this with each device with Amazon.  I called Amazon and talked with someone about this.  They seemed genuinely interested and asked a lot of questions.  I said they should make the app more user friendly like the way Spotify is set up to access different devices.  I feel I'll cancel Amazon Music if they don't make it more user friendly.  I lost count of how many times I've had to get up and cross the room to the side of my system to do something with the app.  I'm at the age where just sitting with a remote is best.

Agree with this!
If I have to do anything more than push a few icons on my phone to listen to whatever it is I am streaming I am not interested.

Amazon HD resides within the Amazon Music service on the Node, its just not very well implemented yet. Hopefully this will change. Unlike Tidal and Quboz where you get album thumbnails that show what the resolution is, Amazon Music just shows albums as a list, with no way to know what the resolution is until you start playing. Once playing, the album resolution will show in the now playing box. I haven’t found a way to search by resolution. This is with the BlueOS app on iPad. Hopefully, Bluesound will issue an update to address this. I’ve signed up for the 90 day trial of Amazon HD but won’t renew unless there is a change in the Bluesound app. If I’m missing something, hopefully someone will point me in the right direction.

That's exactly what my Node 2 does.  Still deciding if there is any difference between this, (both 16/44.1 &  24/96) and Tidal w/MQA?  I've listened all weekend and if there is a difference, I sure the hell can't hear it...

I had mentioned above that I can scan and save artists, playlists, albums, etc. from the one on my lap, but the list is independent of any other device. When I checked my phone app and laptop app this morning, they both had the same saved playlists as the one I originally saved them to. But I wish they all would show what was currently playing and had the ability to save, skip, change, etc. what was playing on the other device.

As of right now I could not try Amazon Music if I wanted to.
Neither mconnect or Bubbleupnp offer Amazon Music as an option.
Being Ayre based streaming they are my only options for control app's.

If it gains traction I am sure it will be added to one or the other at some stage.

This is awesome, I can't wait to dump Tidal.

⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆

Be careful what you wish for......

the great thing about spotify is its discovery algorithm--it's uncanny how accurate its recommendations are. amazon's is primitive in comparison, although i notice it gets a little better the more i listen to the app. also, whereas spotify has radio stations for every artist, amazon has very limited stations. amazon does sound better, but at the end of the trial period, it may come down to how hard i want to work at setting up my play queue.
speaking of which, is there a function on amazon which continues to play similar songs after a queue is finished?

@uberwaltz , I'm not a fan of the Tidal ownership so as soon as I can find somewhere else to spend my money for an equal or better product I will.

Hk-fan
Me neither!
That's why I went to Qobuz... Lol.

Anybody have any usefull ideas around this problem?

Just signed up for the 90 day free trial for Amazon music hd.
Loaded the apps on both my android phone and ipad mini
On the phone the app sees my two chromecast audio pucks that are on my vintage systems and streams to them instantly. Which is perfect.
The ipad does not see them and reading the help files it should not and can only stream to an airplay device.
So problem is that neither app has any way to stream to my Ayre ex8 that I see right now as it uses the mconnect control app which does not support amazon music.
email to the devs for them and they say is Amazon fault as they do not release api to 3rd party developers so not likely to see that added any time soon.
So the options to get Amazon to the ayre are as follows imho
Buy another chromecast audio and connect to the ayre through analog or a mini toslink.
However Amazon help does say music resolution is limited to std on a chromecast so kinda pointless
Or buy an airport express, connect it via ethernet cable to my network then via 3.5mm to 2 rca into the ayre. According to Amazon help this MIGHT stream in hd.
Sounds like a crap shoot either way and both options leave the ayre actual built in streaming out in the cold.
Unless anyone here may know of some other way round it?

Uber, is your Ayre close to a TV? Also, have you considered output from an older video focused streamer which (generally) used to offer Optical Outputs? Current / latest units have moved to HDMI out only; some may offer USB (micro) out. 

David

A good friend (thx Robelvick) who has just got the Amazon on trial too has offered what seems to be at least a working solution for now.
He used a Lightning to Camera ( female USB) adapter right out of his iPad and then any decent USB audio cable.
This basically mimics using a MacBook as a USB audio source.
Says it streams 24/192 quite happily that way.
Of course this literally ties the iPad to the rack as now it is tethered by cable but if SQ is up there I can live with that for now.

Oh also he has an Audioquest Jitterbug inline too.

@uberwaltz - I will have to check Qobuz out!  Thanks for the recommendation!

BluOS supports HD Amazon. Once you have the latest software on your control device ( I didn’t) ....it allows all supported Resolutions. The Bluesound Node 2 or 2i  are relatively inexpensive, especially in the used market. Initial observations are that it sounds at least as good as Tidal.....perhaps somewhat more dimensional and detailed and more “Alive” sounding.....Tidal can be somewhat soft and a little laid back sounding.......
Cheers.....

Finally got Amazon streaming in my main rig.
Looks like the Ayre does not have an internally powered USB audio input which is most odd!
So it relies on the source to provide the juice and an iPad just does not cut the mustard for that so that option went out the window. Thx Ayre!

So I moved a Chromecast Audio puck to the main rig and fed that via mini toslink adapter into a toslink input on the EX8 and at least that is working.

In fact it sounds pretty darn good I have to say.

Nice to have options.....

Update.
Got the iPad to work.
By putting a reclocker in line, this gave the needed 5v USB power and it sounds MUCH better than the Chromecast did so until Amazon music is found in a few more streaming apps it will stay like this for a while.

FYI and interesting.... Dolby Atmos encoded music...

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/amazon-music-hd-new-echo-studio-smart-speaker-support-dolby-atmos-encoded-music

Guys- Going in a different direction- I spend most of my time in my car with a High end car system using spotify- Would being able to download the higher resolution from Amazon result in a better sound for the car also- thanks

Fluffers...I’m all about great sounds in my ride which includes a JL Audio 12" sub. I usually play lossless FLAC files from a connected flash drive. But let’s get serious. Road, engine and wind noise is going to negate any benefit provided by high resolution music files. High bit rate MP3 is good enough...just don’t worry about it, crank up the volume and enjoy.

Uber...do you still have your Bluesound equipment?  I’m guessing not or you would have tried it by now.
  I upgraded to the Bryston BDA3 for my main system but there is no Amazon tab as of yet.  I still have my Bluesound equipment (mainly using the Node2 into two HT systems elsewhere in the home) but I am gun shy about doing a BluOS update, and have avoided doing them for months, because doing updates had led to problems in the past).  Maybe I will just wait for Bryston to add Amazon 

but I am gun shy about doing a BluOS update, and have avoided doing them for months, because doing updates had led to problems in the past).

I've had my Bluesound Node 2 for quite awhile now.  I have done every update, (probably around 6-8 total).  Never had an issue.  None, nada.  Went perfect every time.  Not sure what problem(s) you encountered, but I sure haven't had any...

Mahler.
I remember you seemed to have had a lot of issues on your Bluos updates whereas I am in MoFi camp where I never suffered at all during updates.

However yes the Vault is long gone.

I have had ZERO Update issues with the two BLUOS Node 2i that are used in two separate systems.

Cheers......

My hope is that Roon partners with Amazon's Hi-Res group and offers it, if they do, I'll try it out...and probably terminate my Qobuz and Tidal subscriptions.

Mofi 
most of my Bluesound issues related to not all 4 of my units in the house successfully updating in sync.  The Bluesound updates were frequent and occasionally one player would get hung up.  That somehow led to all of the players failing, and would require calls to Bluesound.  My main system is my 2 channel system and the Vault2 there has been superseded by a Bryston BDA-3, but I kept the Vault2 in.  My other systems have Node2 players.  Life has been quiet in my Bluesound Universe by refusing to do updates, and it isn’t worth disturbing the peace to add Amazon.  I’m pretty happy with Qobuz.

Just realized that Chromecast audio doesn't send out Ultra HD via toslink (downgrades to HD or Standard).
This really grinds my gears...grrrr...

Don't get stressed about that, bstatmeister. Unless you are trying to listen to a recording that was originally recorded in the studio in 24bit (few are), there is no quality difference between Amazon's HD and Ultra streams - a fact Amazon deceptively does not mention.  And forever, it seems, Redbook CD recordings (16/44.1) have been referred to as "standard definition." Amazon has, in an equally deceptive decision, decided that their "CD quality" streams are now HD.  Just listen to HD, enjoy it and don't fret over Ultra.

My nephew has worked for Amazon for years, presently working on some "top secret" stuff with one of their R&D labs.

I sent him an email, with the Roon links, so if he knows someone who works over in the Amazon Music HD group, he (hopefully) will let them know of us audiophiles' interest in integrating the service with Roon.

I hope it gets the ball rolling.

I need to update my experience with Amazon Music.

It was essential for me, in order to get the best sound, to manually adjust the sample rate on my control panel in windows streaming Amazon Music through a laptop and Audioquest Red Dragonfly.  
The sound quality went from really bad (worse than mp3) to really good.

I’ll have to listen some more and check out the music selection a bit more but Amazon Music jumped from last place to a possible first place for me.

Exciting stuff!

I’ve had the Ultra HD option for a few weeks now. Significant upgrade to my Tidal subscription. I think Tidal has an easier interface, but aurally Amazon seems better. The "Abbey Road" 50th release is expansive and enveloping through both; but Amazon has so many more layers.

Amazon Ultra HD files of Janelle Monae's "Dirty Computer" reveal what a complex production that album is; the same can be said for the Heifetz rendition of Tchaikovsky's "Violin Concerto in D Major" - though none could hold a candle to my vinyl first pressing of the same.

Don't get too excited about "Ultra HD" files on Amazon.  Those files are merely standard resolution CD quality recordings re-processed into a 24bit container.  You cannot add quality to an original analog (or digital 16bit) recording merely by encasing it in a higher bit rate package.  That Amazon is involved in this deception is very disappointing.

Okay. So I assume my perception that they have more body and depth than Tidal is erroneous? 

Has anyone checked out the http://steinwaystreaming.com/steinway/streamHome.jsp?

All the best,
Nonoise

Simao...I dont do Tidal.   

Your ears will often times tell you you are hearing what you anticipate hearing.  But the fact is that fidelity ends with the recording session...typically analog.  You cannot take an analog recording converted to 16bit digital and make it "better" by reprocessing it into a 24bit container.  How could anybody believe that?

Unless a recording was originated in a 24bkt digital studio, it can never be a "real" 24bit recording.  An original 16bit (CD) recording can never sound better than the original 16bit recording no matter what you do.

People hearing a difference between two or more services are most likely hearing a Difference in the delivery of the music from the service rather than any increases in actual fidelity of the source file. Same as when people hear differences between FLAC, ALAC, WAV etc. As has been mentioned earlier, increasing bit rates into a larger package does not and will not ad extra fidelity, air, soundstage etc if not on the original master! If you exchange four quarters for 100 pennies do you have more money? 😂

OK...I bit the bullet and started my 90 day trial. I've tried to listen to "Ultra HD" selections on multiple versions of the Amazon Music app. First of all...when you start the trial/subscribe...the welcome screen adds an "HD" to the "Amazon Music" logo. 
So right now I'm listening to "Ultra HD Fleetwood Mac" on my FireTV. I finally figured out that to see the resolution info I need to click on the more(...) selection...a screen comes up and tells me that to see resolution info I need to click on the bar on the screen and then "got it". It shows that the maximum resolution is 24/192, the device I'm using max is 16/48 and so I'm listening to it in 16/48 (Probably really 16/44.1 or CD quality).
Other devices do something similar, although it isn't consistent.
So it seems odd that my FireTV (I didn't yet mention that it is 4K...it is) only has 16/48 capability. Can someone tell me WHAT DEVICE has 24/192 capability?
I was on chat and the phone with Amazon before I decided to just try it...they couldn't tell me how to see what the resolution of a particular selection is without actually playing it. The person on the phone tried to tell me there are 60 million Ultra HD selections....no not really true. The person I was chatting with went around and around before I figured out that HD means 16/44.1 and Ultra HD means something greater than 16/44.1 but not necessarily 24/192.
So far I have only found a few Ultra HD selections.
Don't get me wrong....this is a GIANT step in the right direction. Neil Young is actually telling people on Neil Young Archives "Sing Up!!!". Let's see where this goes.....

By the way it's more like changing 4 quarters for a mint silver dollar.

I just found a lot of the Sheffield lab collection on Amazon HD. Fantastic stuff. Very well done and high dynamic range. (even if it's 16/44)

Just type in Sheffield labs in the search section. Have fun!

Bstatmeister said above: "...even if it is 16/44."

Nothing at all wrong with CD quality 16bit/44.1khz.  That bit and sampling rate was designed to fully cover the frequency and dynamic range of human hearing.  Human hearing does not advance with technology...it is a constant.  It is unlikely that even a TRUE, ORIGINAL 24bit recording could be distinguished by the average human.  A well done 16/44.1 recording is all anyone needs.  Anything else is an effort to deceive you out of your money.

I first got an upsampling DAC about 10 years ago, PS Audio Digital Link III.  While I intellectually understand that upsampling shouldn’t sound better, about 90% of the time it did.  I listen primarily to Classical Music, and upsampling would increase the believability of the Sonic picture.  The soloist, percussion, strings , brass and winds seemed to occupy their own little zones, as they do in a real concert, .  My present DAC, the Bryston DAC3, has an upsampling feature and I don’t use it much, but the results are impressive when I do.  I have to say that the algorithms that determine what should be added to a 16 bit recording do a damn fine job.  Maybe it’s different
for other genres, but I don’t listen enough to comment.
  I will now sit back and watch as others tell me that I shouldn’t be enjoying what I enjoy, and that I have no street cred as an audiophile.

btw..was Amazon Music Server down today?  I don’t have the new service but I did buy many Amazon mp3 downloads years ago and usually stream them to the bt receiver in my car, and I kept getting a lack of service notice today

@mahler123 No worries.

One’s Interpretation and One’s Experience are not "constant"...   : )

I agree!  If you want to enjoy something more because you think it should sound better....it will.  Especially if a third party is telling you you should.  To ignore the power of the science of confirmation bias is naive. 

Has anybody figured out how to import a Spotify playlist into Amazon Unlimited?
Thanks in advance,
Bob

I have been a subscriber to Tidal Premium for the past couple of years, but decided to take the Amazon Music HD trial to compare; the price going forward has definitely piqued my interest. I stream via Sonos Connect.
So, I have run into issues with Amazon Music immediately with the first two albums that I have played:

Peter Gabriel “So”  - the track “Don’t Give Up” is not the original album track, but a live or alternate take on this song.

Djabe “Life Is A Journey”  - same issue, the opening track appears to be from the live album (Sardinia Tapes). 

Forgive me if this has been brought up before, but if not, has anyone else run into this issue?

I have found that even with the HD service, not all albums are lossless. There are still some MP3 quality recordings.

Sound quality for the HD and Ultra HD tracks is very good. But the interface when using Bluos on a Node is far behind Tidal.

I have been intrigued by the Amazon HD music service - and finally did get motivated to pay for streaming when Amazon entered the game. First impressions: sounds far better than the free services I have been tolerating for years. I have not run into a situation where I couldn't find something I was looking for. I do wish their playlists or recommendations were a bit more intelligent like Spotify, but I imagine things like this will get ironed out.

Does it sound better than Tidal or Qobuz? A challenge difficult to abx objectively without the right gear in place.    

My biggest gripe?  I can't use the android app to control the playback in hi-res formats ( per tech support ) when playing through AV gear... it only plays aac quality files. So if I want to hear hi-res in all its glory - you have to use the desktop app ( or a native app in a streamer ).  Or use the app with some headphones plugged in.

I am not sure this is the case with other services mobile apps.

So, my immediate work around was to use HEOS on my Marantz AV7704 - but honestly the HEOS app sucks balls -- BUT -- it does allow me to play back content in hi-res. At least it worked. I am hoping that bubbleupnp or something like it - gains support for the Amazon Music service.  There has got to be something better than HEOS.

I am eager to see if Roon or others will support Amazon Music integration - when that happens I think Tidal and others will be put on notice to up their game further.

The Amazon desktop app works, its stable - looks good, and is functional.

On a side note: What is the best way to connect my laptop/desktop to my preamp for streaming?... usb vs hdmi vs spdif?

I recently chatted with one recording engineer whom found some of work on Amazon that is being sold as HD when in fact it’s 16/44 .