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Post by Clive on Dec 5, 2019 20:33:47 GMT
Interesting...on pinkie there's a thread where a number of people are blaming watermarking for the Tidal midrange harshness that I hear. They have the same issue. It's no good having CD quailty if they then wreck it.
Yes streaming changes the way I listen to music...it won't be via Tidal!
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Post by MartinT on Dec 5, 2019 20:45:58 GMT
Tidal is my least favourite, too. I won't be continuing after the special offer period expires. The more I listen, the more I prefer the balance offered by Qobuz and Spotify.
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Post by John on Dec 5, 2019 21:13:43 GMT
I do not even bother trying to listen to Tidal anymore
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2019 7:12:08 GMT
Midrange distortion on Tidal - not on my setup with the music I have listened to.
Using hi rez headphones with Tidal as I type this, anything distorted would be immediately obvious - nope, sweet as a nut.
Tidal is a bit brighter tonally than all the other streaming services, except Primephonic which is more brightly lit still. Spotify is the dullest, Qobuz sits in the middle.
Most curious - I'm sure the folks who hear distortion aren't making it up, maybe it's system/setup dependent.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 6, 2019 7:36:31 GMT
I don't hear distortion with Tidal, just relentless brightness.
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Post by Clive on Dec 6, 2019 7:44:03 GMT
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2019 7:46:58 GMT
I don't hear distortion with Tidal, just relentless brightness. It seems we are hearing the same kind of thing - I've tweaked the system to allow for the extra brightness from Tidal. Just swapping in Tidal after using Qobuz or, worse, Spotify will lead to a markedly different tonal balance. I don't think there is a right or wrong, just synergy and personal preference. |
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2019 7:57:33 GMT
I've just listened to the watermarking test tracks - it's absolutely obvious on massed strings and there is no way at all that is happening on current Tidal streaming. That type of distortion, actually more of a 'burbling' sound, used to be obvious up to a couple of years ago on all the streaming services, but not any more. Maybe they're using a more subtle type of watermarking now, but I don't hear it. |
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Post by Clive on Dec 6, 2019 8:07:03 GMT
I've just listened to the watermarking test tracks - it's absolutely obvious on massed strings and there is no way at all that is happening on current Tidal streaming. That type of distortion, actually more of a 'burbling' sound, used to be obvious up to a couple of years ago on all the streaming services, but not any more. Maybe they're using a more subtle type of watermarking now, but I don't hear it. I hear it on vocals / midrange but not on all albums. I've read that watermarking is being removed or changed so it maybe album dependant. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2019 14:42:28 GMT
This is a good thread. Streaming has certainly changed the way that I listen to music. I have always had a reasonably eclectic taste in music, so I have found that Spotify and the streaming services have opened my eyes to even more choice.
I have always been guilty of track jumping since I got my first CD Player and that’s transitioned to album jumping via streaming.
Sound quality wise, I still prefer the sound of CDs which have been transferred over to the HDD of my Streamer, but in reality probably listen to Spotify more.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 6, 2019 18:00:54 GMT
Here's an article about all this stuff, pasted from Strand Magazine (link)I realise that TAS members aren't necessarily the people who spend a lot of time with playlists of Spotify recommendations, but it's a bit shocking that the changes in users' behaviour may be influencing the actual music we listen to. |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 6, 2019 18:20:30 GMT
Not surprising really, Chris. As he says, it's the Smartphone culture with an attention span measured in milliseconds.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 6, 2019 18:47:04 GMT
Ok yes, you are correct.
Not surprising. Perhaps I can find a better word to express my disapproval!
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Post by Stratmangler on Dec 7, 2019 9:59:59 GMT
Tidal is brittle sounding very "digital" in a bad way. I'm using either HiFi mode or Masters. Maybe it's the Limetree I'm using. Something isn't doing its job properly. I've been streaming Tidal HiFi since the the Summer, and paying for it since September. Comparing local library to Tidal stream sounds identical where the mastering is the same.
Brittle and "digital" sounding is very much not the case.
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Post by Clive on Dec 7, 2019 10:25:19 GMT
Tidal is brittle sounding very "digital" in a bad way. I'm using either HiFi mode or Masters. Maybe it's the Limetree I'm using. Something isn't doing its job properly. I've been streaming Tidal HiFi since the the Summer, and paying for it since September. Comparing local library to Tidal stream sounds identical where the mastering is the same.
Brittle and "digital" sounding is very much not the case.
For some reason Tidal seems to get the most complaints. Something isn't right. I will compare with Qobuz, if there's a difference I'll blame Tidal, if not I'll look at my router ps first. The streamer is connected by wired ethernet so that should be fine. |
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Post by Clive on Dec 16, 2019 23:01:33 GMT
Due to a broadband contract change I've a new router. The huge discrepancy between files and Tidal has gone. Do much for Huawei....probably someone in China has all my music.
My problem today was switching between 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi. Whenever my phone did this the streaming app lost context. Switching to 2 individual SSIDs was the solution.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 17, 2019 6:02:36 GMT
Interesting comments about routers. I've been using a TP-Link 4G router and I swear sound quality is better than when I used to use the main house wi-fi from the landline VDSL. I do have a grounding box on the router, mind.
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 17, 2019 7:28:25 GMT
I feel sure, and have done for quite some time, that the sq from 'streamed audio' is strongly dependent on the minutiae of the particular hardware, firmware and software implementation. It seems to be as much pot luck, as anything. Good news that you are now hearing Tidal as the excellent service that I know it to be, Clive ! |
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Post by Clive on Dec 17, 2019 9:00:20 GMT
For sure even digital data streamed via a router is proving just a picky as any other part of the system.
Re my 2.4GHz vs 5GHz issues - the app I'm using like many needs to be on the same subnet as the streamer. I'd hope that the two wifi frequencies would count as the same subnet but this will depend on the implementation within the router.
Edit: thinking more about 2.4GHz vs 5GHz - I suspect there's a delay in switching between frequencies and during this time the app naturally freezes. The issue rears its head because I'm on the limit on 5GHz reception in my music room so switching happens quite often. Easily fixed - I'll test properly tonight.
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Post by John on Dec 17, 2019 9:09:41 GMT
I use my PSU to power my BT Hub and a Melcord cable with a Acoustic Revive Lan cleaner, this helped with the quality of streaming
Files are still better but to be honest with the quality of playback I get I am not bothered its good enough for me
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