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    The Computer Audiophile

    Amazon Music HD Launches

    Amazon launched it's Amazon HD music streaming service today. Much more to come as details come out and people sign up. The cost is $12.99 for Prime members and $14.99 for everyone else. An interesting quote from Neil Young on this announcement, "earth will be changed forever when Amazon introduces high-quality streaming to the masses.” 

     

    So far it looks like CD quality music and "higher" up through 24/192. No mention of MQA in the first press releases. 

     

    I'm attempting to sign up right now and will release more as I have more. 

     

    Here's a link to get details from Amazon and sign up. It's an affiliate link so we make a a couple pennies if you sign up. We are beta testing this on items like books and music. 

     

    Amazon Music HD

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    So it looks like Amazon Music HD was a trial balloon and based on the response they're now getting serious?

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    I was at a party over the weekend where some people were watching NFL football. I happened to look at the TV and saw a commercial for Amazon Music HD. I couldn't believe my eyes. 

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    A post on another forum claims that Amazon Music HD latest version can autoswitch sampling rates on the new Windows 10 1909 update. Anyone upgraded from 1809 yet and confirmed?

     

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    However i don't have this issue. My Dac auto switches according to the sample rate. Maybe some people don't have the version of windows i spoke of before (1909 ) with the nov 26 update to resolve audio playback issues. Where it shows you all the formats your dac is capable of and you have to check all those boxes and check auto. Plus you have to check exclusive control. Windows mixer is not control my bit rate when the DAC is being used, it's just a pass through. I agree with you the DAC does not lie. And im not having any issue.

     

    I unsubscribed from Amazon and don't want to upgrade to 1909 until a few months have passed so can't try it myself.

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    3 hours ago, exdmd said:

    A post on another forum claims that Amazon Music HD latest version can autoswitch sampling rates on the new Windows 10 1909 update. Anyone upgraded from 1809 yet and confirmed?

     

     

    I unsubscribed from Amazon and don't want to upgrade to 1909 until a few months have passed so can't try it myself.

     

    Curious where you saw this? I installed 1909 and do not see these settings. Amazon Music desktop app still plays on the default device at whatever rate it's set to. Wonder the the source you quoted is talking about a special driver or other player software?

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    40 minutes ago, rn701 said:

     

    Curious where you saw this? I installed 1909 and do not see these settings. Amazon Music desktop app still plays on the default device at whatever rate it's set to. Wonder the the source you quoted is talking about a special driver or other player software?

     

    Sorry here is the link:

     

    Quote

    However i dont have this issue. My Dac auto switches according to the sample rate. Maybe some people dont have the version of windows i spoke of before (1909 ) with the nov 26 update to resole audio playback issues. Where it shows you all the formats your dac is capable of and you have to check all those boxes and check auto. Plus you have to check exclusive control. Windows mixer is not control my bit rate when the DAC is being used, it's just a pass through. I agree with you the DAC does not lie. And im not having any issue.

     

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    Thanks. I think that person must be confused about Amazon app v some other app.

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    This is my first dip into a streaming service,  for 99 pence.... i suppose as long as the software team have integrated Alexa its job done. If they really want to steal other service users it needs a lot more polish than aggressive pricing.

    My head is spinning as its just really hit me the sheer choice now its here and a pleasant suprise to the audio quality for a lot the songs.  My days of downloading flacs may be over for but for the Gems...

     

    Nearly every comment is valid as its potential is vast but god its basic and clunky but i think that will come after saturating normal Amazon users who stay after trials end.

    Then the smaller cash cows' Us' should be catered for at higher expense to Amazon when Power Points show static sales growth with frowning exec's  ....  

    Software development will come..

     

    If Roon ever gets involved....ah lovely..

     

    But i will seriously consider Tidal Qobuz now i have tried the Taster menu.... just more seasoning... for a finer the palate..

     

    Cheers Chris thanks for the heads up..

     

    Dave

     

     

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    I cancelled AM HD in December after the 3 month trial.

     

    Wondering if anyone knows if there have been any developments/improvements in device compatibility in terms of receiving the native FLAC bitrates.

     

    When I cancelled, AM HD within Heos would play the native bitrates, but “My Music” was not available. 

     

    With the native AM HD app, Alexa Cast to Heos would only do the lossy stream.  IIRC, the cue did not work well either.

     

    Also, with a CCA, IIRC, I don’t believe it was possible to determine the stream quality.

     

    Any news on the device compatibility front?

     

    I have been using Qobuz with BubbleUPnP, but the gaps in the US library make Qobuz less than ideal too.

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    Signed up for free trial of HD version as a Prime member.  Been streaming on my iPhone with wireless earbuds, $35 from Amazon, big selection.

     

    Tried it this weekend, my wife and daughters dig Elton John and I have only two CDs ripped, the live one from 1971 which rocks and YBR.  So I selected his first album and Tumbleweed, both idefified as Deluxe Edition and played them on my WiFi connected Mini, which is 6 feet (through a plaster board wall) from a new Netgear hub and Speedtest shows I'm getting 100mbps over WiFi. 

     

    Mytek B+ displayed that it was playing a HD 24/192 file...but it sounded crappy, kind of harsh???  

     

    So, I need to drill a hole in the wall and connect the Mini to the router with an ethernet cable to get decent sound?

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    18 hours ago, 57gold said:

    Signed up for free trial of HD version as a Prime member.  Been streaming on my iPhone with wireless earbuds, $35 from Amazon, big selection.

     

    Tried it this weekend, my wife and daughters dig Elton John and I have only two CDs ripped, the live one from 1971 which rocks and YBR.  So I selected his first album and Tumbleweed, both idefified as Deluxe Edition and played them on my WiFi connected Mini, which is 6 feet (through a plaster board wall) from a new Netgear hub and Speedtest shows I'm getting 100mbps over WiFi. 

     

    Mytek B+ displayed that it was playing a HD 24/192 file...but it sounded crappy, kind of harsh???  

     

    So, I need to drill a hole in the wall and connect the Mini to the router with an ethernet cable to get decent sound?

     

    I've seen many reports that Qobuz and Tidal sound better than Amazon Music HD. I suggest you should try listening to the same tracks on other services before drilling a hole in your wall.

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