2. digital
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Tidal vs. Others- End of 2021

I've been using Tidal HiFi Plus for a few years and I like the desktop app features and robust content.  Until recently my Mac PC USB interfaces with a Benchmark DAC3 HCG, so only have 2 "unfolds" for MQA content.  

I recently trialed the Apple Music app which I thought inferier regarding features. Apple Music desktop app has no "exclusive mode," so even when trying to match sample rates using "Audio MIDI Setup" it was hard to tell just what I was getting.  Apple/Tidal A/B listening tests didn't yield much sonic difference, so I dropped Apple Music as not mature.

Like John Siau and others I am leery of MQA, but now I am trialing an iFi ZEN DAC Signature V2 for full MQA unfold- using the ZEN fixed output mode analog into a DAC3 analog input.  A/B listening of 2 (PC to DAC3 USB) vs 3 (Zen DAC) unfolds seems mixed, depending on content.  MQA doesn't license a full decoder so you have to buy a DAC with integral MQA.

My conclusion is digital streaming at the end of 2021 is still "teething."  Does anyone have strong opinion of alternatives to Tidal for sonics and features at similar price point?

I'm using B&W Signature 800 speakers driven by Bryson 28B SST2 monoblocks.

 

 

likeanice1903

Showing 2 responses by mitch2

mitch2
3,697 posts
 

I have not yet tried Qobuz but plan to. Is the content difference between that and Tidal (which I use now) really just “a couple of tracks“ as @zyphryx stated, or is it more significant wrt rock, blues, and other popular genres? Also, does Qobuz have a feature that continues playing the type of music that was most recently selected once your specific selections have finished playing?

Also, can any of you recommend whether the “Sublime” package is worth the extra money over “Premire”? I do have a server/streamer that holds my own content as well as streams, so are there advantages to Sublime if I wanted to occasionally purchase content?

mitch2
3,697 posts
 

Thanks @big_greg for the information.  I use Roon/Tidal now and will try the Qobuz free trial.  The money it costs or having multiple services is not the issue but rather having something I will not use. Therefore, as long as the trial does not reveal any bogies, I will probably go ahead with the year subscription after the trial, since IMO you really need to give stuff like this a year to get sorted out and to figure out the value and how much you will really use it.

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