Spotify Goes Lossless

[Alex_UK]

Finally, after years of promises Spotify is now available with Lossless.

I’m playing what I would normally use Tidal for, and it sounds pretty good so far. The only reason I have Tidal too is for the better quality, so I will give it a few weeks before deciding, but as I much prefer the Spotify interface and have many more playlists on it it might be time to save some money and cancel my Tidal subscription. Feels a bit harsh on them, but may be no point in paying twice.

We shall see - anyone else tried Spotify lossless yet, and have you compared to Tidal/Quobuz etc.?

[Alex_UK]

I should add that I believe the best quality for Spotify Lossless is 24-bit 44.1 kHz whereas Tidal goes up to 24-bit 192 kHz - so it’s not as hi-res - the point will be if I can actually hear the difference…

[Jimbo]

You may want to have a look at this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjU0eMzFWVk

[Macca]

You may want to have a look at this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjU0eMzFWVk

I watched that one earlier this week - looks like Amazon is the one to avoid. I very much doubt the Spotify lossless can be distinguished from the Tidal or Quboz. Assuming same mastering ofc.

Not that I do streaming unless you count Youtube for checking stuff out, but I like to keep abreast of it :)

[Alex_UK]

Thanks for that - very interesting. For hi-fi listening I am generally using a Linux laptop into a Dragonfly Red DAC, so not sure if the comparison would be the same, but definitely avoiding Amazon Music!

[Jimbo]

Thanks for that - very interesting. For hi-fi listening I am generally using a Linux laptop into a Dragonfly Red DAC, so not sure if the comparison would be the same, but definitely avoiding Amazon Music!

Your welcome. I use a Laptop with Audirvana and use the embedded Qobuz although I do pay a subscription to Qobuz. The SQ is stunning especially on much of the Hi Rez material although plain vanilla 16/44 can sound great too.

I have used various Dragonfly DACs but soon moved on to stand alone DACs via a DDC which unleashed a big sonic upgrade especially when using Qobuz. I have used Spotify but Qobuz is in a different league.

[Jimbo]

I watched that one earlier this week - looks like Amazon is the one to avoid. I very much doubt the Spotify lossless can be distinguished from the Tidal or Quboz. Assuming same mastering ofc.

Not that I do streaming unless you count Youtube for checking stuff out, but I like to keep abreast of it :)

If all things being equal ie same mastering, bit rate, sample rate etc there should be no difference but measurements tell a different story. In theory however they "should" all sound the same.?

[Macca]

If all things being equal ie same mastering, bit rate, sample rate etc there should be no difference but measurements tell a different story. In theory however they "should" all sound the same.?

Aside from the distortion he highlights on Amazon, my view is that none of the other measured differences would be audible. IIRC he says that too.

[Jimbo]

I think the biggest difference would be the mastering and the higher bit/sample rate available on Qobuz. But again hearing the difference requires excellent resolving equipment and excellent hearing!:eek: