Jud Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 I once met one of the early investors in Spotify on a plane. Seemed like a nice guy. No idea how much of it he owns/controls today. If he was *really* nice, he would have cut you in for a piece. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
Jud Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Isn't that what it always was? Fancy metadata (including the ability to look at other works by the same composer/artist/conductor/producer, etc.) about stuff you don't own yet is arguably more valuable than fancy metadata about stuff you own and already know relatively well. So same application, but the context of a streaming service may make it more interesting/valuable to the customer. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
Jud Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 16-bit quality. Could be seen as an oxymoron. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
Musicophile Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Fancy metadata (including the ability to look at other works by the same composer/artist/conductor/producer, etc.) about stuff you don't own yet is arguably more valuable than fancy metadata about stuff you own and already know relatively well. So same application, but the context of a streaming service may make it more interesting/valuable to the customer. Point taken. Speaks to my unfamiliarity with Roon. Check out my blog at musicophilesblog.com - From Keith Jarrett to Johannes Brahms Link to comment
Jud Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Point taken. Speaks to my unfamiliarity with Roon. Not that I know much about it myself - have just seen friends use it a couple of times. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
Hailey Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Why not just rip a thousand CDs and call it a day? That's what I'm doing... Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Why not just rip a thousand CDs and call it a day? That's what I'm doing... Because for $20 per month you can access millions of CDs without ripping or shipping or any time spent. The new Jack White CD just came out. I had it via Tidal instantly. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
james45974 Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 I live in a high-speed internet challenged area so don't use streaming services but it seems to me that if Tidal is losing that much money then by extension the artist-investors are losing too, how long before some start to jump ship? On a somewhat related note I read about a week ago or so that the record companies are starting a crackdown on exclusives. That should level the playing field between the services as it relates to content and it plays into the hands of the largest players. Jim Link to comment
Hailey Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Because for $20 per month you can access millions of CDs without ripping or shipping or any time spent. The new Jack White CD just came out. I had it via Tidal instantly. Fair point. For classical, it's not such a big deal, since everybody's more or less dead. Link to comment
realhifi Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Fancy metadata (including the ability to look at other works by the same composer/artist/conductor/producer, etc.) about stuff you don't own yet is arguably more valuable than fancy metadata about stuff you own and already know relatively well. So same application, but the context of a streaming service may make it more interesting/valuable to the customer. You got it. Having both your library and access to a MUCH larger one with reviews, etc is addicting. Makes for easy ongoing exploration and discovery. David Link to comment
master Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 This tells me that the "average consumer" (depending on definition) does not care about 16-bit quality. Not just the average, most of the world doesn't care. Pretty much everyone I know listens to MP3s. Most folks don't even want to pay for music anymore, they are extremely happy with YouTube or the free tier of Spotify. Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world - Martin Luther Link to comment
master Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Why not just rip a thousand CDs and call it a day? That's what I'm doing... I did just that, with my over 3000 CD collection, and then some more from my parents. Because for $20 per month you can access millions of CDs without ripping or shipping or any time spent. The new Jack White CD just came out. I had it via Tidal instantly. And it's not just about new CDs and albums, you get to listen to a ton of free music and discover new music from the 50s, 60s all the way through to the 90s and beyond. I subscribe to streaming services like IHeartRadio, Slacker Radio, Spotify, TuneIn Radio, etc. the good news is they are available on practically every device, Chromecast devices, smartphones, and even PCs and laptops on Windows 10 as apps from the Microsoft Store. Thanks to the Internet, music discovery and listening to new music is so much easy, practically impossible unless your best friend bought the tape/CD and lent it to you before MP3 and Sean Parker happened. Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world - Martin Luther Link to comment
Hailey Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I would have kept my tidal sub if their iPhone app had an equalizer. Link to comment
kennyb123 Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Interesting perspective: https://community.roonlabs.com/t/tidal-28-million-losses-alternative-streaming-services-for-roon/14221/5 Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
earnmyturns Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Because for $20 per month you can access millions of CDs without ripping or shipping or any time spent. The new Jack White CD just came out. I had it via Tidal instantly. Except that the great majority of the jazz CDs I listen to all the time are not there. ECM does not do streaming at all, and most of the very small labels with the most adventurous new music you can only get as CDs or on places like Bandcamp as FLAC (also sometimes as lossy on iTunes or Amazon, but that's not what we are talking about). Link to comment
semente Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 You got it. Having both your library and access to a MUCH larger one with reviews, etc is addicting. Makes for easy ongoing exploration and discovery. More time browsing, less time listening (attentively). No Roon for me, thanks. I'm done with addictive substances. R "Science draws the wave, poetry fills it with water" Teixeira de Pascoaes HQPlayer Desktop / Mac mini → Intona 7054 → RME ADI-2 DAC FS (DSD256) Link to comment
cjf Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 IMO Tidal is only good for discovery and background music listening. Nothing wrong with that by the way. It's hard to ignore though that it doesn't really sound as good as "CD Quality". In the end, all these alternative forms of music delivery boil down to just another flavor of the month. Records & CD's and maybe even Tape will once again circle back around once enough people realize that the best available has already been invented and is sitting in your attic collecting dust My Audio System -Last Updated May 20 2021 Link to comment
findog3103 Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 More time browsing, less time listening (attentively). No Roon for me, thanks. I'm done with addictive substances. R I agree. Keeping up with all the music choices with Tidal and my own collection (while convenient and $ saving) causes me to listen to more stuff but shallower. Third Floor: AE>Pioneer solid state integrated>Sony PS-x70 turntable>KEF 103.2 speakers Second Floor: Intel NUC>LampizatOr GA TRP/LampizatOr Integrated Solid State amp>triode wire labs speaker cables & power cord and wywires power cords>vapor über auroras speakers Old school: VPI Prime Signature turntable w/ Ortofon Bronze Cadenza cartridge and Technics SP-10 mk2 First Floor: AE>lifatec silflex glass toslink>schiit bifrost über>Kimber kable hero RCA>audioengine 5 Link to comment
hornytoad Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Because for $20 per month you can access millions of CDs without ripping or shipping or any time spent. The new Jack White CD just came out. I had it via Tidal instantly. I agree . I have also written down the albums I would buy if Tidal shut down and the amount exceeds 2,000 dollars easily . So Tidal is saving me money . Link to comment
semente Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I agree . I have also written down the albums I would buy if Tidal shut down and the amount exceeds 2,000 dollars easily . So Tidal is saving me money . I pay roughly £3.5 for a CD (as I hardly ever buy new); $2000 would buy me over 400 of them. R "Science draws the wave, poetry fills it with water" Teixeira de Pascoaes HQPlayer Desktop / Mac mini → Intona 7054 → RME ADI-2 DAC FS (DSD256) Link to comment
hornytoad Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I pay roughly £3.5 for a CD (as I hardly ever buy new); $2000 would buy me over 400 of them. R I buy used too from Amazon and yes it would be 300-400 cds or so Link to comment
Pepsican Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 We need to see it all in a bit of perspective as well. At the moment, there is not a single streaming service that is profitable, let alone has a positive free cash flow. In other words, even mighty Spotify is tethering on the brink, which is why they seek a listing to get new cash. And Apple has so much cash it can sponsor its music service for some time to come while the losses get burried in the larger (iPhone) picture. Within that context, Tidal's financial results are not really any worse than of its competitors. The second thing is that the lastest music industry figures show that online sales (i.e. downloads) are markedly slowing down due to the rise in streaming. Solid media sales (CD/Vinyl/Cassette etc.) are fairly stable at around 25%. So, the consumer has chosen and streaming is definetely a way forward. It also sheds light on Apple's strategy. It is entirely defensive. Seeing their iTunes business dry up in the long run, left them with no other choice but to get into the streaming business. The problem that Tidal has is that its strategy to attract users is not working. Its growth pace is significantly slower than Spotify's and Apple Music's. Until they solve that problem, they're in danger. But once they do, it is certain some investor will step forward to plug any gaps. Synology DS214+ with MinimServer --> Ethernet --> Sonore mRendu / SOtM SMS-200 --> Chord Hugo --> Chord interconnects --> Naim NAP 200--> Chord speaker cable --> Focal Aria 948 Link to comment
semente Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 What about Google Play Music? I imagine it's lossy streaming but could they become a player in the future? Or Amazon? R "Science draws the wave, poetry fills it with water" Teixeira de Pascoaes HQPlayer Desktop / Mac mini → Intona 7054 → RME ADI-2 DAC FS (DSD256) Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 IMO Tidal is only good for discovery and background music listening. Nothing wrong with that by the way. It's hard to ignore though that it doesn't really sound as good as "CD Quality". In the end, all these alternative forms of music delivery boil down to just another flavor of the month. Records & CD's and maybe even Tape will once again circle back around once enough people realize that the best available has already been invented and is sitting in your attic collecting dust That ole Internet is just a fad as well :~) Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
GregWormald Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 The major market for streaming services is, IMO, the market that used to be served by radio. And they aren't big spenders--music is just a soundtrack for daily activity. Only a minority listen seriously and choose deliberately. Greg Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now