I have both Tidal and Qobuz subscriptions that I run through Roon software using a Roon Nucleus as my music streamer. I always choose the recording with the highest bitrate available from either service. Most often my preference is to listen to the Qobuz provided recording because in my system I feel that Qobuz sounds better to my ears. I’m very familiar with the song Jack of Speed from the Steely Dan album Two Against Nature, and I like it very much. On Qobuz it is offered in a 96kHz/24bit format. Whereas on Tidal it is a FLAC 48kHz/24bit format or an MQA 96kKz recording. I prefer how Qobuz sounds over Tidal on this particular album. I am not a fan of MQA.
Tidal vs Qubuz - Steely Dan "Jack of Speed"
So I should have posted this a year ago, but never got around to it. I had a subscription to both providers about a year ago and was comparing audio quality between them. I queued up "Jack of Speed" on both and noticed a dramatic difference in the mix between them. The reoccurring trombone hook was burried in the Qobuz version to distraction, while the Tidal version sounded as I’ve always heard it. I then put on the original CD release & compared it to Qobuz. Totally different! I let the Qobuz free trial lapse & continued on with Tidal because of this. So, all of you Dan fans with subscriptions to both... Compare these tracks and let me know if you hear the differences. Would love to know your opinions.