AudioNervosa

Systemic Development => Digital Audio Devices => Streaming Players => Topic started by: tmazz on December 23, 2015, 08:27:59 AM

Title: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on December 23, 2015, 08:27:59 AM
Tidal had resolved what I personally considered a huge gap in their music library, the fact that they had none of the Beatles albums.

Starting at midnight tonight Tidal users will have access to the entire Beatles catalog along with a whole bunch of other multimedia stuff. I can only hope that when they start streaming Hi-Res this spring we will get access to the 24/96 files that were previously only available in that limited edition apple shaped flash drive.

http://read.tidal.com/article/the-beatles-on-tidal
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on December 23, 2015, 12:42:00 PM
That is great to have Beatles on Tidal.

Do they have any Naxos releases? I'm listening a lot lately to Lorenzo Micheli playing Castelnuovo-Tedesco Guitar music. Naxos is the largest distributor of classical music and last I read they were trying to get into streaming in a big way. Tidal seems perfect match for their pristine recordings.

I was curious about the type of internet connection required to stream hirez flac files. I calculated that a 24/96 flac compressed to 50% original size requires 2.3Mbps bandwidth. You'll want to double that to ensure dropout-free playback.  Most people have at least that internet speed now although mine still maxes at 2.5Mbps on a good day.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: mfsoa on December 27, 2015, 01:44:09 PM
Hi Rich,

There are 9 Lorenzo Micheli albums on Tidal when I searched using his name, including Castelnuovo-Tedesco: The Well-Tempered Guitars - SoloDuo, Matteo Mela & Lorenzo Micheli.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on December 27, 2015, 02:25:30 PM
Awesome, thanks for checking Mike. Naxos catalog is a nice lure.

I had not considered previously because my so-called "3Mbps" ATT DSL is too slow to stream redbook flacs on top of our normal traffic. But I found out that my T-Mobile phone allows free unlimited streaming of hi-rez Tidal. Today I was able to tether my Sonos to my phone, playing Pandora now. Neato!

Not sure I could tether a linux host though. Do you use WiFi on yours?
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: mfsoa on December 27, 2015, 02:40:29 PM
I'm all wired.

I only get about 5-6Mbps via DSL but am usually able to stream Tidal w/out issue. If someone else is downloading I do get dropouts.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on December 28, 2015, 10:49:25 AM
That is great to have Beatles on Tidal.

Do they have any Naxos releases? I'm listening a lot lately to Lorenzo Micheli playing Castelnuovo-Tedesco Guitar music. Naxos is the largest distributor of classical music and last I read they were trying to get into streaming in a big way. Tidal seems perfect match for their pristine recordings.

I was curious about the type of internet connection required to stream hirez flac files. I calculated that a 24/96 flac compressed to 50% original size requires 2.3Mbps bandwidth. You'll want to double that to ensure dropout-free playback.  Most people have at least that internet speed now although mine still maxes at 2.5Mbps on a good day.

Naxos has started their own streaming service called  Naxos Music Library. They offer standard and "premium" quality streams. Both are ACC Flash files but they don't give any detail as to tbe bit rates of each. The premium service costs $31.50 a month or $315 if you pay for a year up front.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Emil on February 11, 2016, 05:01:39 AM

So who else beside Tidal deliveries CD quality streaming?

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6867174/tidal-donating-15-million-black-lives-matter-social-nonprofit-groups

My money will not go to support this hate group
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: machinehead on February 11, 2016, 05:48:14 AM
John Crawford of Ohio, the 22-year-old walking in a Wal-Mart who picked up a toy gun off a shelf, officers responded to a 9-1-1 call and shot him in 0.36 seconds.

That’s three-tenths of a second after he was told to drop that toy gun. Was he disregarding the law?

Walter Scott, pulled over for a non-functioning brake light, runs from a police officer who shoots him five times—three times in the back.

The officer, Michael Thomas Slager, then claimed Scott tried to take his Taser. Yet in video he appears to plant the Taser near Scott’s body.

That officer was charged with murder.

Tamir Rice? He’s the 12-year-old boy in Cleveland who was on a playground while holding an Airsoft toy gun.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Emil on February 11, 2016, 06:49:17 AM

Two sides to every story

John Crawford
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_John_Crawford_III

Re: Walter Scott.
Put that officer in the electric chair

Tamir Rice. Just tragic. Not racial
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Tamir_Rice

BLM came out of Michael Brown shooting. You know, the premed student that needed a break from his studies and went down to the local store for some cigars. He went to pay and forgot his wallet at home but the store keeper, knowing Michael from the neighborhood gave him the cigars for free after a bit of good natured rough housing in the store.
As Michael left the store, a racist cop pulled up and and orderd him on his knees for no reason. Michael raised his hands and begged for his life but the cop killed him on the spot for being black.
Of course it was TOTAL bullshit but this led to riots and property damage.
To add insult, our illustrious president sent two White House representatives to this scumbags funeral.

Oh, and rememeber these two guys?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/nyregion/two-police-officers-shot-in-their-patrol-car-in-brooklyn.html?_r=0

I will always give the men in blue the benefit of the doubt. They do a job a cannot do

 


Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: machinehead on February 11, 2016, 07:09:47 AM
Power corrupts. I wouldn't give an officer credit unless its due. There are a lot of hard jobs. You are putting your opinions on each event. Maybe you make it less than it really should be. Search deep danyosan
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Emil on February 11, 2016, 07:31:38 AM

I still love you Mike. :lol:

Still not subscribing to Tidal
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Werd on February 11, 2016, 07:36:05 AM
Power corrupts. I wouldn't give an officer credit unless its due. There are a lot of hard jobs. You are putting your opinions on each event. Maybe you make it less than it really should be. Search deep danyosan

That logic is skewed, the only way to offer an opinion is by looking at each event. You can not lump an entire sector (police) of our society into one opinion.  That is exactly the complaint made by minorities. If one person is bad you can not assign guilt to the rest by race. I agree with that.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: machinehead on February 11, 2016, 08:08:31 AM
Who is saying that a whole group is bad... i love the po po
but it is their responsibility to fix whats wrong as a po po group.

Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Werd on February 11, 2016, 08:34:04 AM
"Liscense and registration please...  for smoking the reefer"

 :rofl:

super troopers FTW
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on February 11, 2016, 08:37:23 AM
Listen there are good and bad cops just like any other group of people.

However, the standard that has to be looked at in any of these situations is would a reasonable person honestly believe that their life was in danger in that given situation given the specifics of the event. Law enforcement officers need to size up situations in a fraction of a second, and yes, sometimes they get it wrong and that is unfortunate. But what bothers me about all of this public outcry lately is that after everything is Monday morning quarterbacked people insist that the only acceptable outcome of these incidents is criminal prosecution of the officer involved. Sorry, there is just a considerable gap between a clean shoot and a criminal act. Do we need better police-community relations, absolutely, do the cops need more and/or better training, probably. But not every mistake made by an officer is a criminal, nor a premeditated racist act. The acts that are should be prosecuted with the full weight of the law, but just like the criminals they arrest, police officers deserve the right to be assumed innocent until proven guilty.

But I do find it ironic that  Tidal (which is owned by Jay-Z) is making this donation. when it is (IMHO) the Rap music industry, especially the gangsta rap artists, that is responsible for a lot of these problems. No they did not invent racism or start the problem, but they have spent years making millions of dollars by fanning the flames of racial discord between the minority communities and the police putting out songs that promote and glorify violent acts, often against police, and general disrespect for the establishment. They also promote the whole idea that it is cool to dress and behave like a thug. Perhaps if his industry promoted getting along and sent out messages that behavior and image matter he would need to be making these kind of donations...... just a thought.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on February 11, 2016, 08:46:01 AM

I still love you Mike. :lol:

Still not subscribing to Tidal

Emil, Jay-z has so much money that he would be making this donation with or without Tidal. I suspect it is coming through Tidal either a) because that's where is accountants say he will get the best tax benefit from it, B) they are hoping that the donation will generate new Tidal subscriptions from within the BLM movement or C) both.

Bottom line, I understand where you are coming from, but I am loving Tidal and there is no doubt in my mind that this donation would have happened even if Tidal never existed, so I don't feel that any of "my" money is going anywhere in particular (especially since Tidal has yet to show a profit and some industry people are wondering if it is economically viable i the long run). I am just not about to give up my access to Tidal because of what is IMO nothing more than a publicity stunt. But that is just my opinion, you have to do what you feel is right for you.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Werd on February 11, 2016, 08:46:28 AM
The Police will not change the Police. If a systemic problem exists you can not have one sector of society huddled together to accuse another sector of society. That I guarantee will not work. It has to be done through a society as a whole by way of government.  
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: shadowlight on October 29, 2016, 09:55:23 AM
Reviving the old thread.

Hello Tidal Users,


I just signed up for Tidal trial and need some help in creating playlist.  I can create a playlist for specific song and albums of the artists but what I want to do is create a playlist where I just provide multiple artists.  For example - create a playlist for Melody Gardot, Norah Jones, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Eric Clapton, etc.  Once the play list is created I am hoping to basically have it play random songs from the artists or similar artists.  Is it possible with Tidal? 

The FAQ  (https://support.tidal.com/hc/en-us/articles/201733591-How-do-I-create-a-playlist-)on Tidal does not seem to have information on what I am trying to do.


TIA
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on October 29, 2016, 10:52:53 AM
Reviving the old thread.

Hello Tidal Users,


I just signed up for Tidal trial and need some help in creating playlist.  I can create a playlist for specific song and albums of the artists but what I want to do is create a playlist where I just provide multiple artists.  For example - create a playlist for Melody Gardot, Norah Jones, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Eric Clapton, etc.  Once the play list is created I am hoping to basically have it play random songs from the artists or similar artists.  Is it possible with Tidal? 

The FAQ  (https://support.tidal.com/hc/en-us/articles/201733591-How-do-I-create-a-playlist-)on Tidal does not seem to have information on what I am trying to do.


TIA

Deepak

I have been using Tidal for over a year. I believe you can make and name the playlist for each artist but I don't think you can randomly play from one to another. You would just have to make a playlist with multiple artists/songs
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on October 29, 2016, 12:53:15 PM
Sounds what you are trying to do is to replicate what we get from Pandora where it picks songs for you that match a certain criteria. As far as I know Tidal will allow you to make playlists, but will only play what you put on the list. It will not add to it with other songs on its own.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: shadowlight on October 29, 2016, 12:59:10 PM
Thx Evan and Tom.

I was afraid of that.  I listen to music in random fashion, so the Pandora style playing works very well for me.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Nick B on December 06, 2016, 11:27:37 PM
I just downloaded Pandora and their methodology of selecting what artists they think I like doesn't work for me. I like Tidal a lot and like to make a playlist to my exact liking, but how long will they be in business?
On another note, my nephew and his family came up for Thanksgiving and he chuckled and commented that I'm the only one he knows who listens to Tidal. I told him he didn't know what he was missing listening to MP3 "quality" music. I feel sorry that kids haven't been exposed to great sound or that they're oblivious to the possibility
Title: MQA now on TIDAL
Post by: ejk on January 06, 2017, 08:12:46 AM
Tidal just started streaming MQA. Sounds great
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Emil on January 06, 2017, 03:30:44 PM

Arent they going under?
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 06, 2017, 06:22:18 PM

Arent they going under?

That's what they say about all the streaming sites
Title: Re: MQA now on TIDAL
Post by: tmazz on January 06, 2017, 08:52:56 PM
Tidal just started streaming MQA. Sounds great

Have you been able to get the MQA files to stream through the Node? The only way I have seen so far to access the MQA files is via the Tidal App on my PC. Does not work when accessing Tidal via a browser of the BluOS Controller software. This leaves me SOL because my PC is not connected t the stereo.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on January 06, 2017, 09:06:57 PM
Tom, MQA only works on the desktop application.

They say it's 96/24 rez.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 06, 2017, 09:27:21 PM
That was my assumption given what I have been reading. I was hoping that maybe Evan found a way to get the MQAs through his node.

With a little luck this is only temporary and MQA code will be added to the apps for other devices.

Bluesound says that the Node is capable of playing MQA files now, so all I need to do is get them over to it.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 07, 2017, 02:23:02 AM
Tidal just started streaming MQA. Sounds great

Have you been able to get the MQA files to stream through the Node? The only way I have seen so far to access the MQA files is via the Tidal App on my PC. Does not work when accessing Tidal via a browser of the BluOS Controller software. This leaves me SOL because my PC is not connected t the stereo.


Tom add the albums in the tidal app first to your  favorites or make a play list then choose them from the bluesound app or desktop player. Its easier because in the blue software you cant figure out which album is mqa  because you have multiples of the same album. You would have to select each one to figure it out.  In the tidal desktop the mqa albums are under "whats new" and then "masters".  And remember I'm sure they will figure out a better way in the future.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 07, 2017, 02:23:48 AM
Tom, MQA only works on the desktop application.

They say it's 96/24 rez.

Yes but plays on the Bluesound and will be indicated with the MQA symbol while playing instead of CD symbol. 
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 07, 2017, 02:33:34 AM
here is a pic from the BluOs player
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 07, 2017, 06:29:38 AM
OK after a little experimenting it seems that the Bluesound App can find and play MQA files. Unfortunately what it doesn't do is tag the albums in any way to indicate they are MQA. The only way to know is to try playing it and look for the MQA symbol in the now playing box. But this is the same in the Tidal PC app except that there is a Masters tab in the What's New section.

I think Evan's way is the best, just tag the albums you want as favorites out of that Masters section and then they will play just fine in the Bluesound App.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 07, 2017, 06:54:49 AM
But now for the big question.... how do they sound?

I have only done a few quick comparisons, but from what I have heard every album I tried sounded better in it's MQA form. Now of course I am not sure how much that says for MQA itself because I have no way of knowing if the the MQA files were tweaked somehow in the mastering (we all know there can be wide variations among even CD releases of the same album), but I can say that the Tidal MQA files that I listened all sounded better than the Tidal CD quality files.

Another interesting thing is this looks like it will put me in the same situation as I am in with SACD Hybrids. In three out of the four albums I have skimmed through so far the MQA files sound better playing through my non-MQA EE DAC that through the MQA equipped DAC built into the Bluesound Node. (And the one that didn't sound better sounded pretty much the same.)

Not huge improvements, but noticeable ones (at least to us as audiophiles) along the same lines as what I would expect to hear when comparing 44/16 and 96/24 files.

A nice upgrade to what I felt was already a premium streaming service.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 07, 2017, 07:31:33 AM
But now for the big question.... how do they sound?

I have only done a few quick comparisons, but from what I have heard every album I tried sounded better in it's MQA form. Now of course I am not sure how much that says for MQA itself because I have no way of knowing if the the MQA files were tweaked somehow in the mastering (we all know there can be wide variations among even CD releases of the same album), but I can say that the Tidal MQA files that I listened all sounded better than the Tidal CD quality files.

Another interesting thing is this looks like it will put me in the same situation as I am in with SACD Hybrids. In three out of the four albums I have skimmed through so far the MQA files sound better playing through my non-MQA EE DAC that through the MQA equipped DAC built into the Bluesound Node. (And the one that didn't sound better sounded pretty much the same.)

Not huge improvements, but noticeable ones (at least to us as audiophiles) along the same lines as what I would expect to hear when comparing 44/16 and 96/24 files.

A nice upgrade to what I felt was already a premium streaming service.


LOL

How about we just listen and enjoy
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 07, 2017, 10:07:38 PM
But now for the big question.... how do they sound?

I have only done a few quick comparisons, but from what I have heard every album I tried sounded better in it's MQA form. Now of course I am not sure how much that says for MQA itself because I have no way of knowing if the the MQA files were tweaked somehow in the mastering (we all know there can be wide variations among even CD releases of the same album), but I can say that the Tidal MQA files that I listened all sounded better than the Tidal CD quality files.

Another interesting thing is this looks like it will put me in the same situation as I am in with SACD Hybrids. In three out of the four albums I have skimmed through so far the MQA files sound better playing through my non-MQA EE DAC that through the MQA equipped DAC built into the Bluesound Node. (And the one that didn't sound better sounded pretty much the same.)

Not huge improvements, but noticeable ones (at least to us as audiophiles) along the same lines as what I would expect to hear when comparing 44/16 and 96/24 files.

A nice upgrade to what I felt was already a premium streaming service.


LOL

How about we just listen and enjoy

Hey I'm all about music but when I used to post about it I got all kinds of grief that this was a hardware site and it was not an appropriate place to talk about music. What's a guy to do?  :-k

(Just breaking your chops. Hey at least I didn't fill the recent posts list on the home page.  :rofl:)
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 07, 2017, 10:15:40 PM
In three out of the four albums I have skimmed through so far the MQA files sound better playing through my non-MQA EE DAC that through the MQA equipped DAC built into the Bluesound Node.

Hey Bill O'Connell, any chance that we might see a firmware for the vintage EE DACS to make them MQA compatable?  [-o<
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Bill O'Connell on January 09, 2017, 09:57:15 AM
Hi Tom,

 I don't believe so, sorry.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 09, 2017, 01:12:54 PM
Hi Tom,

 I don't believe so, sorry.

Bummer.  :(
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: shadowlight on January 09, 2017, 02:02:41 PM
Tom,

I was under the impression that with Tidal software decode of MQA stream you do not need to MQA dac.  Is my impression wrong?
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on January 09, 2017, 03:30:31 PM
Isn't MQA just marketing jargon for 24/96 digital audio stream?
EE can't do 24/96?

What am I missing? That's the question of the century!  :duh
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: etcarroll on January 09, 2017, 03:50:52 PM
I also have the original EE DAC and wondered the same thing. I found that this DAC has as it's USB transceiver the popular but limited BB PCM2707. That means standard Redbook resolution for streaming files only, not even 24/96.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on January 09, 2017, 04:41:00 PM
Aha thanx Gene
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 10, 2017, 07:11:53 AM
I also have the original EE DAC and wondered the same thing. I found that this DAC has as it's USB transceiver the popular but limited BB PCM2707. That means standard Redbook resolution for streaming files only, not even 24/96.

Gene the DAC itself will handle 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 and 192kHz bitstreams, it is just the USB receiver that is limited to 16/44. The SPDIF will handle all of the bit rates and I have successfully used 24/96 over the Toslink connection. I have had trouble sending 24/192 from my Bluesound Node (which only has an optical output). The 192 files loose sync, but I have no way of knowing if the problem is the optical receiver in the DAC or the transmitter in the Node.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 10, 2017, 07:18:59 AM
I also have the original EE DAC and wondered the same thing. I found that this DAC has as it's USB transceiver the popular but limited BB PCM2707. That means standard Redbook resolution for streaming files only, not even 24/96.

Gene the DAC itself will handle 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 and 192kHz bitstreams, it is just the USB receiver that is limited to 16/44. The SPDIF will handle all of the bit rates and I have successfully used 24/96 over the Toslink connection. I have had trouble sending 24/192 from my Bluesound Node (which only has an optical output). The 192 files loose sync, but I have no way of knowing if the problem is the optical receiver in the DAC or the transmitter in the Node.

So the EE will do 24/96, just not via the USB interface.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 10, 2017, 09:14:02 AM
Isn't MQA just marketing jargon for 24/96 digital audio stream?
EE can't do 24/96?

What am I missing? That's the question of the century!  :duh

Rich, MQA is a new system that will allow hi res audio signals to be transported inside of standard FLAC, WAV and ALAC payloads. I had thought it was packing 24/96 signals, but apparently, according to the article in the link below, the system is capable of packing up to a 24/192 signal inside of a standard Redbook signal.

And unlike other high Res formats, MQA is completely backward compatable with standard CD players and it is said that MQA encoded files, even if only played back on a CD player (without specifically decoding the MQA) will sound better than a native Redbook file.

And it is all done in software, so the only thing required to upgrade any CD player or DAC to be MQA capable is a firmware update.

Since MQA is a lossey signal I would think that an MQA encoded and decoded signal will most likely not sound as good as playing back the native Hi-res file directly, but I am sure it will easily beat playing the same album over on a standard CD.

And it as the additional benefit of greatly reducing the bandwidth required to stream a high res file.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/what-is-mqa-meridian-s-digital-audio-format-explained

http://www.stereophile.com/content/meridians-mqa-one-listeners-impression#isdKq70zWmfZGyV8.97
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on January 10, 2017, 09:23:00 AM
Thanks Tom! Very interesting, I'll read your links.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 10, 2017, 10:00:39 AM
This just in. Meridian Explorer to dac on sale at audio advisor for 199. MQA DAC
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 10, 2017, 01:38:58 PM
Tom,

I was under the impression that with Tidal software decode of MQA stream you do not need to MQA dac.  Is my impression wrong?



From Bluesound forum

From TonyW/BLS: "If you bypass our Burr Brown (Gen2) DAC and select Optical or COAX out, we decode the file and provide the content but the 3rd party DAC unfolds it to the best of it's ability. If that DAC is not MQA certified, it will be limited to how much it can open the file and will play at it's best. That's the beauty of MQA, if you do not have MQA certified equipment, you can still at least play the file - just not to the best of it's ability."
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 10, 2017, 01:43:39 PM
I also have the original EE DAC and wondered the same thing. I found that this DAC has as it's USB transceiver the popular but limited BB PCM2707. That means standard Redbook resolution for streaming files only, not even 24/96.

Gene the DAC itself will handle 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 and 192kHz bitstreams, it is just the USB receiver that is limited to 16/44. The SPDIF will handle all of the bit rates and I have successfully used 24/96 over the Toslink connection. I have had trouble sending 24/192 from my Bluesound Node (which only has an optical output). The 192 files loose sync, but I have no way of knowing if the problem is the optical receiver in the DAC or the transmitter in the Node.


Tom you need a optical to coax convertor. I had the same problem playing 24/192 from the optical on the Node when I first tried. only about 20 bucks around the web, try amazon. no loss of sound quality. Or what I have hooked up now is the Ifi SPDIF  ipurifier for jitter reduction. Plugs right into the back of my DAC and you can transmit coax or optical signal
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 11, 2017, 01:45:04 PM
I also have the original EE DAC and wondered the same thing. I found that this DAC has as it's USB transceiver the popular but limited BB PCM2707. That means standard Redbook resolution for streaming files only, not even 24/96.

Gene the DAC itself will handle 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 and 192kHz bitstreams, it is just the USB receiver that is limited to 16/44. The SPDIF will handle all of the bit rates and I have successfully used 24/96 over the Toslink connection. I have had trouble sending 24/192 from my Bluesound Node (which only has an optical output). The 192 files loose sync, but I have no way of knowing if the problem is the optical receiver in the DAC or the transmitter in the Node.


Tom you need a optical to coax convertor. I had the same problem playing 24/192 from the optical on the Node when I first tried. only about 20 bucks around the web, try amazon. no loss of sound quality. Or what I have hooked up now is the Ifi SPDIF  ipurifier for jitter reduction. Plugs right into the back of my DAC and you can transmit coax or optical signal

I have thought about that, but I finally have an optical cable that I really like (Analysis Plus ) and it only come with a Toslink connector where the optical input to the iFi unit is a mini plug. This means I would have to either change cables or find some kind of adaptor. Since the only 192 files I own is something somebody gave me just to test out the Node and am very happy with the few 96/24 files I have, this is just a project for another day. And of corse MQA make this all a moot point anyway.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 11, 2017, 01:55:16 PM
Tom,

I was under the impression that with Tidal software decode of MQA stream you do not need to MQA dac.  Is my impression wrong?

I believe this is true of you are using Tidal PC App and taking an audio out from the PC itself. If you are outputting a digital signal it is up to the external DAC you are feeding to "unpack" the MQA  (or is can just play the file using standard Redbook D/A conversion).

In the case of my Bluesound Node, they recently issued a software update that enables the onboard DAC in the Node to do full MQA decoding. From my listening experience so far the analog outs of the Node (doing the full MQA) and the output of my EE DAC are very close, but upon critical listening the EE is still a slight bit better, even without the full MQA. Which does not surprise me as teh Node cost half of what the EE does and it has all of the streaming stuff in it in addition to the DAC. (BTW it is not close when playing standard Redbook files through both, the EE is way better, so the MQA is doing something right.)
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 11, 2017, 01:59:15 PM
This just in. Meridian Explorer to dac on sale at audio advisor for 199. MQA DAC

But that would require some kind of optical to USB converter as I believe the Meridian is USB only and the Node only outputs a digital signal via the Toslink, right? (Although the Node has a usb port I think it is only for inputs to the node like a flash drive of external hard drive)
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 11, 2017, 03:04:04 PM
This just in. Meridian Explorer to dac on sale at audio advisor for 199. MQA DAC

But that would require some kind of optical to USB converter as I believe the Meridian is USB only and the Node only outputs a digital signal via the Toslink, right? (Although the Node has a usb port I think it is only for inputs to the node like a flash drive of external hard drive)

Yes . I was just posting for those who want to use it for their computer and the Tidal app. It's 100 bucks less than what it was , I may try it out and compare
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole / MQA DECODING EXPLAINED
Post by: ejk on January 11, 2017, 03:09:48 PM
From Audiostream  MQA decoding explained

http://www.audiostream.com/content/mqa-decoding-explained#DcyCwweHwQ0ahekp.97
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on January 11, 2017, 06:24:21 PM
Thanks Evan. Better with pictures...  :thumb:
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: ejk on January 12, 2017, 01:18:47 AM
Thanks Evan. Better with pictures...  :thumb:

Here you go


Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole / MQA DECODING EXPLAINED
Post by: etcarroll on January 12, 2017, 03:13:49 PM
Thanks, that helps.



From Audiostream  MQA decoding explained

http://www.audiostream.com/content/mqa-decoding-explained#DcyCwweHwQ0ahekp.97
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on January 20, 2017, 03:39:29 PM
This just in. Meridian Explorer to dac on sale at audio advisor for 199. MQA DAC

But that would require some kind of optical to USB converter as I believe the Meridian is USB only and the Node only outputs a digital signal via the Toslink, right? (Although the Node has a usb port I think it is only for inputs to the node like a flash drive of external hard drive)

Just thought of another issue that would come up in trying to use one of those Meridian DACs with the Node. The Meridian is USB powered, so not only would I need to find a device that could convert a Toslink signal to USB, but it would also have to provide clean power as well.
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on January 20, 2017, 07:11:23 PM
Tidal might be inflating membership numbers:

http://www.businessinsider.com/jay-z-music-streaming-service-tidal-accused-of-inflating-user-numbers-2017-1
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: Emil on January 23, 2017, 11:46:47 AM
What should we make of this?

Safe to move forward and buy a streamer?

http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/23/technology/sprint-tidal-acquisition/index.html
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on July 26, 2017, 09:10:58 AM
I was listening to this album on Spotify while on a walk with Boze headphonz.

(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0002/031/MI0002031235.jpg)

It was tolerable, but I noticed some problems. When I got home I Spotify Connected the album to my Sonos to keep listening, and found the SQ to be intolerable on the "high end" audio system. Grainy, gravelly, thin, flat.

Most other Spotify music I listen to on headphones and stereo sounds good. Actually this is the first bad apple I've come across on Spotify so far.

I think I have this on CD but it's in deep storage, so can I ask if someone can please take a listen to this album on Tidal to see if it sounds good? I've listened to it on vinyl for 40 years so I know the original recording is fine.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: mdconnelly on July 26, 2017, 02:00:48 PM
Rich, I have that album in hi-res from HDTracks.   Sounds pretty damn good to me (given it's '56 origin).   I believe HDTracks got it from Blue Note - not sure if/when it was remastered.  HDTracks shows a 2013 release date but that may just be when they started making it available.   Discogs says that there's been 35 releases of this album.

Let me know if you want a copy to check out.   
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on July 26, 2017, 06:15:25 PM
Thanks Mike!

Just a bad rip on Spotify then, I guess.   

Maybe 2013 was the hi rez release? HD Tracks looks cool! I'll have to try one or two of those.

Does Roon recognize the tags on the flacs bought from HD Tracks?
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: tmazz on July 26, 2017, 07:46:15 PM
I am listening to it at the ice rink via Tidal over my laptop and through Grado SR 225 headphones and it sound pretty damn good to me. The album info on Tidal calls this a 2004 Digital Remaster, I think it is probably part of the RVG series.

I think this confirms your suspicion that it is a bad rip on Spotify.

Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on July 27, 2017, 07:08:03 AM
Thank you Tom.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: mdconnelly on July 27, 2017, 08:25:38 AM
Thanks Mike!

Just a bad rip on Spotify then, I guess.   

Maybe 2013 was the hi rez release? HD Tracks looks cool! I'll have to try one or two of those.

Does Roon recognize the tags on the flacs bought from HD Tracks?

Usually Roon is pretty good at matching the correct release, but on this album, it matched this Jazzsential release - same tracks and with a 2013 date.   But it's not the same release as the one from HDTracks which states the Blue Note label.   Interestingly enough, Discogs doesn't even list a Jazzsential release of this album.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TlVeFpkuL._SS500_PJStripe-Robin-Large,TopLeft,0,0.jpg)
Title: Re: Tidal has filled a big hole
Post by: richidoo on July 27, 2017, 09:47:19 AM
Thanks for checking Mike