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Who has tried "TIDAL" vs other streaming applications?

Hello, I'm new to Audiogon, this is my first posting into Forums.

I enjoy streaming audio from my PC and have been using Spotify for a number of years now (college student discount to premium $5 a month). I just recently stumbled upon a App called TIDAL, that streams Lossless 16/44.1FLAC with their "HI-FI" subscription (Student $10 a month). Since I can queue up Spotify and Tidal at the same time, I was able to do an A/B and used Dire Straits Brothers in Arms. I noticed that TIDAL indeed sounds better to me but am convinced none of my family members could tell a difference. I then did an A/B with TIDAL and the actual Brothers in Arms CD, to my surprise TIDAL sounded scary close, if not just as good as the CD! This is hard for me to believe, I think I'm just trying to justify the extra cost of TIDAL on a crazy tight student budget, maybe its a placebo effect? I need to drop one of the services, but which one? I would appreciate your thoughts please... Thank you!
My system:
PC = Gaming Rig I built myself, using dedicated high quality audio card.
Krell KAV 400xi integrated
Sonus Faber Electa's with Sunfire HRS Sub
Cambridge AZUR 840C CDP/DAC
Luxman T117 Tuner
Sony SCD - C2000ES SACD Player
Kimber Silver Streak throughout  


grm

Showing 5 responses by hgeifman

hgeifman
2,113 posts
 
I also like listening to Tidal Streaming music because it is easy to use and I love the variety.  Of course, the BEST PART is their excellent uncompressed sound quality.  In addition, I can change my mind on an album and quickly find a different album to listen to. The flexibility and sound quality of Tidal is a big listening plus for me.

Tidal music selections are improving and additional albums are always being added. Tidal also offers various play lists you can select or you select your own album. Another advantage with Tidal is that you can select an album and then page down to see additional albums by that artist.

Another useful feature, for example, is the Luxman Distributor, On Higher Note, publishes their demo playlists that can be added to your Tidal account.  One playlist example is named “Box of Fun”, and it is terrific. See:

http://onahighernote.com/blog/category/philips-music-talk/philips-playlist/

You can go to the genres tab, and then select classical music, jazz, country, etc. Here you will see a variety of content.

I feel the Tidal sound quality is well worth the monthly fee (I pay $19.99 per month).  I suggest you give Tidal a try for one month and then decide.   Tidal Customer Service is excellent and I highly recommend Tidal Streaming.

hgeifman
2,113 posts
 
Hi Ricred1,  I also had streaming performance problems with Tidal when I first started using it.  After some research, I finally determined my router was not handling the steaming packets correctly (router had problems handling the packet flow).  I purchased the Apple AirPort Extreme router and my Tidal performance greatly improved.  I also updated to a higher speed internet service (55) and checked all my Ethernet cables to ensure they were tight (I only use Ethernet cables).  If you are streaming using Wi-Fi, it is possible your signal connection is not very strong and you might need an extender (how far away are you from the router?).   I suggest you log the times when you have connectivity problems.  Is someone else steaming video's or other similar activities?   Do you have enough memory in your computer (probably yes but I have to ask).   Please keep us posted with what you find.    



hgeifman
2,113 posts
 
Do you like the piano? If yes, search Tidal for Eric Harry and select "The Language of Flowers".  He has several other albums on Tidal that are also recommended.

Eric created Calm Radio for music streaming and has maybe 70+ tracks of different types of music. Sorry, it is compressed but his piano music on Tidal is excellent.  See:
https://calmradio.com/

hgeifman
2,113 posts
 
I like Tidal Streaming because of its excellent sound quality and albums like the one below.

Search Tidal for Rodriguez and select the album "Searching for Sugar man".  The move is highly recommended and so is his outstanding music. Rodriguez made 2 albums in the US and they did not sell (zero sales).  Somehow these albums landed in South Africa and the sold like crazy (bootleg copies).  Unbelievable.

The movie "Searching for Sugar man" tells his incredible story. Everyone thought he committed suicide and an investigative reporter started looking for him.  His story is wonderful and his music is outstanding.   This movie is a must see and so are his albums.   Enjoy.



hgeifman
2,113 posts
 
Another useful feature of Tidal Streaming are their search options. For example, do a search on the top 100 classical albums or the top 100 piano albums. I found several outstanding albums that I really like. You can do the searches for violin, harp (several outstanding albums), etc.   Type in the instrument you are interested in and see what you get.  Top vocal artists also produce enjoyable albums.  Enjoy.

Tidal Streaming is a wonderful and highly recommended music streaming service.  Their sound quality is terrific and the album selection is very good and getting better.   If you are looking for a recording you cannot find, try searching on the persons last name only (I did this and found what I was looking for).  If you still cannot find the album, send Tidal a message requesting they add that album.  Of course, there is no promises but you never know.   

Another outstanding album is "Exactly Like this" by Doug MacLeon.  This album is from Reference Recording and it is outstanding.  Search on Doug MacLeon since many of his recordings are on Tidal.   All his albums are highly recommended.  Have fun listening.....  

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