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Does streaming high quality on Spotify count? Not if it's your only source. While absolutely amazing for finding new music with a solid UI, it simply cannot compete with local or streamed lossless files if you are aiming for High Fidelity. Do I need to use a service like Tidal? No, Tidal's library wasn't quite up to snuff for me shortly after they launched. I let my free trial expire at that time but have recently circled back around. I've used HDtracks.com for years and still recommend it. Sign up for the newsletter and wait for the 15-25% off codes. One of the best sources for DSD if you feel like tabling in "exotic" codecs. Tidal is nice, quality is noticeable and software decoded high resolution tracks (96kHz limited) sound good enough to interest me in hardware decoding options. What details should I look for besides the music being "lossless"?
Sound Characteristics: As far as differences between a compressed lossy stream/file and a compressed lossless stream/file are mostly present in the "finer" details IMO. Things like greater bass impact/authority, the frequency extremes are more apparent. There is a greater sense of space around the instruments and they have a wider range of placement (soundstage depth). Instruments and vocals have a greater sense of texture and nuance. Source Discrimination Look for reviews if you will be purchasing tracks/albums, remasters are often good sources but this isn't universal. Early days of high res involved a lot of basic CD transfers getting upsampled and slapped on SACD's or DVD-Audio discs. "Publicly available" FLAC files can often have questionable sources. If this is your thing don't judge the medium on these files alone. There are certainly exceptions but EDM, Pop and Rap generally have poor dynamic range and may not yield the most differences from lossy counterparts. The bass benefits remain present in the aforementioned genres but Acoustic/Folk, Jazz, some Rock/Blues and Classical may make that difference more apparent. Can I truly get the most out of HiFi music with standard equipment? Depends on one's definition of standard equipment. I personally feel you can spend $300-$500 bucks and put together a killer entry into HiFi. Tidal is worth a go as even a full month's cost is less than most single albums on HDtracks. On the headphone front an ifi idsd nano BL is a highly versatile device that allows you to play with full MQA unpacking (192kHz/24bit max) from Tidal, The HD58X should be a great start on the HiFi journey. All in that "starter pack" will let you take HiFi every where you go and cost you under $400 bucks. After that one is chasing the last 5-10% performance and the cost goes up exponentially relative to performance gains.
Duncan
3731
Jan 24, 2019
ElectronicVicesWill look at HDtracks.com. Thanks for the pro tip for the coupon. That makes a couple votes for Tidal.. will be trialing it soon. Got the 58X! Will look into the nano BL. All very good feedback. Thank you kindly!
DuncanIf you know a Tidal user have them give you a referral link... it doubles your free trial time Edit: Bandcamp.com is another good source for FLAC, you can also stream the files/albums you've purchased from them.
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Duncan
3731
Jan 25, 2019
ElectronicVicesDang, did not know Bandcamp had FLAC. Will have to scrounge for a referral link now. Good call.
Duncanhttp://tidal.refr.cc/8KWN69D Let me know if someone else beats you to it, referral link from my Tidal
Duncan
3731
Jan 25, 2019
ElectronicVicesI'm in. Appreciate that. Though it doesn't seem to allow for Hi-Fi playback on the trial. 🤔
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DuncanDang, I knew Master was out but I swear Hifi was in when I did the trial (been a few years)
Duncan
3731
Jan 25, 2019
ElectronicVicesNo worries, man. Maybe I just bite the bullet for a month and dive in. Lil' backstory for all this.. at CES 2018 I got to try the HiFiMan Shangri-La ($50K amp, am sure you know of it), and have never heard anything like that in my life (obvs). Just want to get somewhere back there lol. Norah Jones never sounded so good. Nearly cried.
DuncanNorah Jones, classic test material right there. Side note, how were you accessing that Tidal. Info I found on the web indicates you should have access to the hifi tier as long as you are using the desktop application or Chrome browser.
(Edited)
bootster1
61
Jan 27, 2019
ElectronicVices"Can I truly get the most out of HiFi music with standard equipment? Depends on one's definition of standard equipment. I personally feel you can spend $300-$500 bucks and put together a killer entry into HiFi. Tidal is worth a go as even a full month's cost is less than most single albums on HDtracks. On the headphone front an ifi idsd nano BL is a highly versatile device that allows you to play with full MQA unpacking (192kHz/24bit max) from Tidal, The HD58X should be a great start on the HiFi journey. All in that "starter pack" will let you take HiFi every where you go and cost you under $400 bucks. After that one is chasing the last 5-10% performance and the cost goes up exponentially relative to performance gains. " As an example, I will give you a personal experience to consider. I bought into an ELAC Debut 6.2 audio loudspeaker system on a Black Friday 50% off sale. I purchased these components at a 50% off their already surprising value, considered by many to be a terrific investment at full retail pricing, for my Master Bedroom sound system. These speakers were designed by Andrew Jones, of Pioneer, KEF, and other respectable company's background. These speakers are not a top end line, but a value oriented line of ELAC speakers. I feel that, for the price I paid, these speakers are a total bargain. I say that by knowing these were designed by an accredited designer whose accolades are quite substantial, and whose current offerings are lauded by the public as some really outstanding bargains in the audio loudspeaker industry. I am not exaggerating here, that I purchased these speakers at a price that would rival the cost of a DIY system geared at the same outcome as far as what was purchased. Between knowing that they were designed by a respectable engineer, purchasing at a 50% off Black Friday sale, (this was a TRUE 50% off sale, not just gimmick sale pricing) and having been well received by the public since their inception, I feel that there is something to be said for obtaining a really credible HiFi sound system at bargain prices.
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Duncan
3731
Jan 28, 2019
ElectronicVicesWas using Desktop! Really weird how it didn't work.
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