Hi-res music streaming services compared: which should you sign up for?,What is High-Resolution Music?
WebJan 23, · Qobuz offers hi-res audio streams too, Best for: Audiophiles who want hi-res music for a decent price plus the ability to Occupation: Editor WebApr 21, · Unlike other services, Deezer Hi-Fi's HD streaming is limited to bit/ kHz with a bitrate of kbps. Although the high quality is still noticeable compared to WebApr 19, · Some services have significantly less high-resolution tracks to listen to, and this is an important factor to consider when choosing the best high-resolution WebApr 21, · Unlike other services, Deezer Hi-Fi's HD streaming is limited to bit/ kHz with a bitrate of kbps. Although the high quality is still noticeable compared to ... read more
Qobuz is now available on lots of devices. There's a web player as well as desktop Mac and PC and mobile iOS and Android apps, plus integration into a wide range of hi-fi products. Google Chromecast is a big deal here, as it means adding Qobuz to an existing 'dumb' hi-fi is as simple and affordable as adding a Chromecast dongle, and many hi-fi companies are now adding Chromecast support into their streaming components, thereby increasing Qobuz's availability. Broadly speaking, most devices that support Tidal also support Qobuz and vice versa, and both services are available only in CD-quality via some streamers. A major feather in Qobuz's cap, however, is that it is the first service to make bit hi-res streaming available on Sonos products.
Given how long we've waited for our favourite multi-room family to adopt hi-res, it's quite a big deal. Qobuz's comparatively high price has always been partly justified by its exhaustive library of hi-res music. Recent figures state Qobuz now has over , hi-res quality albums, while Tidal claims 'only' more than 1m tracks. Numbers rarely tell the whole story, but we regularly find hi-res albums on Qobuz that are available in only CD-quality on Tidal. On the flip side, however, we often find albums on Tidal , Spotify , Apple Music and Deezer that aren't available on Qobuz at all — which we would argue is a far bigger issue And the best bit?
That puts it on a par with Amazon, and much cheaper than Tidal and Qobuz. All of Apple Music's million-strong music catalogue is now available in CD quality or Apple Music Lossless. At launch, the company claimed that 20 million tracks were accessible in the highest quality Hi-Res Lossless format, with the whole catalogue following by the end of Having heard Apple's Hi-Res Lossless catalogue, we can tell you that there's plenty to get excited about — unless you just bought a new pair of AirPods. Here's the rub: although Apple Music with Dolby Atmos works with all headphones and Apple's own HomePod and HomePod Mini support Lossless although only the original HomePod supports Spatial Audio , Apple's own headphones don't support lossless audio.
None of them. We don't blame you. Apple's iPhones since the iPhone 7 natively support lossless — but only Apple Music Lossless, and not the highest quality Hi-Res Lossless. Check out our guide for how to listen to hi-res audio on an iPhone. The same is true of the Apple TV and iPad families, which are listed as supporting Apple Lossless, with no mention of Hi-Res Lossless. Like Amazon and Tidal, Apple Music also now has immersive audio tracks — this time through Apple's proprietary Dolby Atmos-powered Spatial Audio format, designed to provide "multidimensional sound and clarity"; to deliver surround sound and 3D audio via your headphones. These tracks will play automatically on AirPods or Beats headphones with a W1 or H1 chip. The HomePod also supports Spatial Audio, so you can fill your room with virtual 3D sound from a single device. As do the iPhone 11 onwards and iPad Pro but not iPad, iPad Mini or iPad Air.
Playing from an Apple TV 4K into a Dolby Atmos soundbar or system will work too. Another short answer: Deezer, Spotify and YouTube Music are yet to offer or even promise to offer hi-res audio. We know that Spotify is set to launch its long-awaited and seemingly delayed 'HiFi' tier which was promised by the end of but never materialised at some point, but it remains to be seen whether hi-res will be on the menu at launch or whether it will stick to CD quality — and if it will try to undercut the competition. So will Deezer which offers CD-quality or YouTube Music which maxes out at kbps within its paid-for tier ever go hi-res? Alexander Holland, chief content and strategy officer at Deezer, offered some choice words on this last year: "Our goal is to make sure that Deezer brings value to both artists and music fans.
We would never want to stand in the way of that. Ultimately, the delicate balance of budget and device compatibility within your home will determine which service you opt for. Tidal is our current Award winner: it sounds that little bit better than the competition, the user experience is spot on, the catalogue extensive, and the accessibility of hi-res Masters streams on MQA-supporting devices is only growing. That said, it has yet to react to the latest price war on hi-res streams, bar setting up a free, ad-supported and lesser-quality tier in the US. If it's hi-res you want, Tidal is now double the price of Apple Music and Amazon Music HD.
Qobuz is now a good shout for Sonos users looking to bring hi-res audio to their homes and it does have the biggest hi-res catalogue. Admirably, it offers users the chance to purchase and download music at a discount for Studio Sublime members , although we'd note the significant holes in its standard CD-quality album offering. Amazon Music HD has recently positioned itself as one of the cheapest hi-res options, and could well be the service of choice for non-Apple users who want the best sound for the least pound. The downside is that even if you're heavily ensconced in Apple's ecosystem, you'll still need to invest in third-party products to enjoy lossless and hi-res at their fullest. Got the service? Now read how to choose the right speakers and get the best sound.
Still waiting for Spotify HiFi? Sorry, but Spotify's CEO doesn't know when its hi-res streaming tier will launch. Further reading and if you're struggling to hear the difference the problem with hi-res audio is how you might be listening to it. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi? Becky has been a full-time staff writer at What Hi-Fi? since March Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in , she freelanced as an arts critic alongside a year career as a professional dancer and aerialist — any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff , FourFourTwo , This is Cabaret and The Stage. When not writing, she dances, spins in the air, drinks coffee, watches football or surfs in Cornwall with her other half — a football writer whose talent knows no bounds. Open menu Close menu What Hifi What Hifi What Hi-Fi? THE WORLD'S 1 TECH BUYER'S GUIDE. opens in new tab opens in new tab opens in new tab opens in new tab opens in new tab.
AU Edition. Australian Hifi. Sound Image. Trending Best Buys Newsletter Best wireless earbuds Best TVs Bristol Show Swipe to scroll horizontally. What Hi-Fi? Newsletter Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi? Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors. Becky Scarrott. Social Links Navigation. See all comments 8. The issue that I have found is not with sound quality, but with the quantity of music of particular genres on offer and how it is presented in searches , which is entirely missed in this comparative review. For classical and, from what I have read, for jazz Qobuz seems much better than any of the other options although, to be fair, I have not tried Apple Music for a long time due to the lack of any hi-res files, which I understand is shortly to change.
James Robinson said:. A stupidly timed article from What HiFi who just couldn't be patient until Apple's new service goes live. Future Media 'journalism' at its irresponsible worst. Anybody who signs up this week for anything is an idiot. Apples lossless and dolby atmos is live now though. The Dolby Atmos stuff is great through the ATV to my receiver. I may stop buying multi-channel SACDs now Weird that MQA, a lossy compression, is touted as something to strive after though. It gives you some wiggle room when it comes to selecting a DAC. The NODE now features an HDMI eARC input on the back panel, to keep your setup flexible and future-friendly. Wi-Fi connectivity, a Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 input, and support for two-way Bluetooth 5. This Roon-ready device also plays well in the sandbox with other ecosystems aside from BluOS and sounds decidedly analog for a digital component.
New compatibility with Tidal Connect is just additional icing on your Vachon cake. For more information : www. Cambridge offers the StreamMagic app for iOS and Android which works just fine with streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, or Qobuz. The CXN V2 has a very readable display which is sufficient for viewing album art, and the app is quite responsive. With support for Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2, the CXN V2 aptX Bluetooth requires an adapter offers a comprehensive way to connect to the world of digital streaming. The CXN V2 sounds very impressive on its own which will make it a practical option for a lot of listeners, but when you connect it to an external DAC that can put some additional meat on the bones while carving out a very defined soundstage — this network streamer will quickly make you question the need to spend anything more.
In the plug-and-play streamer category which includes the ability to hide inside a cabinet and control remotely with access to your music collection and streaming services via your home network, the ultratender from Sonore is one of the best and most reliable streamers available. The ultraRendu utilizes high grade parts, including an ultra-low jitter FEMTO oscillator, has a customizable OS, and offers excellent resolution, a warm tonal balance, and excellent sense of momentum. There is a learning curve associated with this, but the ability to tweak the ultraRendu to meet your specific needs will be a bonus for many users. Not every streaming customer uses Roon and there is something to be said about not being tied into one specific ecosystem. For more information and purchasing : sonore. The Linux-based server is set-up and managed through your smartphone, tablet, or computer and the learning curve is not too severe.
Technical support offered by Roon is excellent and there is a growing community of users online to help you based on their own experience with the product. Roon is now offering a 1-year subscription included in the price. The library can hold more than 10, albums, and the server can handle up to 6 simultaneous zones of playback. We do wish that the Nucleus included an internal CD ripper; listeners with a large CD collection that has already been ripped to an external HDD can connect it via the USB port. If you own a large CD collection that is not already ripped to an HDD, you may want to consider the next model in our list which offers that level of functionality. For more information : roonlabs. This two-box system will rip your CD collection, organize your metadata, and give you enormous long-term flexibility running Roon along with streaming services such as Tidal, and Qobuz. The ZENMini MKIII can be run as a music server into an external DAC, via its analog outputs directly into your amplifier, or from its Ethernet output into your router for distribution to Roon endpoints scattered throughout your home.
If you prefer a more analog sounding presentation — this is the combination to consider. Its ability to stream and play back video will be of obvious value for people who want an easy way to connect a media player to a HDTV. Yes — it can power loudspeakers as well. The unit demonstrated superb Wi-Fi stability in a home filled with wireless devices that are always competing for bandwidth. Album art when streaming from Tidal or Qobuz looked quite impressive on the wider screen. A very compelling digital music streamer that only continues to improve with each firmware update. The last time I bought a couple, Grace Digital said they had hundred arrive and they sold out in a day or two. They make an excellent product. It is being sent from one of my Grace Links to an affordable DAC my S. no stoopid MQA allowed! and from there to an S. SP and then to a pair of Sennheiser HD6XX from Drop. What does this more than affordable, more than competent set up sound like playing George Harrison?
People do not want to Paraphrasing Alert! They desire to listen to the soundtrack that IS their lives. The Grace Link does that. That is really all any audio device need do. I do not count bits. I do not look in on the sampling rate. I do not want MQA. I could give an airborne intercourse about what I shall now call Romper Roon Ready. I am now well in to being a seasoned citizen and on weekends I often go and mount TVs for friends and family. I even did one for a Buddhist Temple a couple of years back as a friend is Buddhist. I also set up modest home theaters for a great many folks. I do not charge people as it is a pleasure being of service to these folks. What this has shown me is that people, young and old alike, want simplicity in their entertainment. They want to push a button and turn on their personal musical WayBack Machine Mr. Peabody and Sherman! and hear their music. They want to see the artwork and associated information if available.
My older brother used to be more in to audio and he is now on his third AV which I have given him. He had some problems with the internet tuner and when I visited him and his wonderful wife, I fixed it and showed him how to do so. Then to make certain that would never happen again I sent them a Grace Digital Grace Link to hook into one of the digital coax inputs. He and his wife really like it. Trust me on this. I am not come to make waves, I am here to simply state what I know. Exempli gratia? I used to own and use a Squeezebox Radio. It was great but is now kinda sorta OOB. Out of Bidness. Some folks will go on and on kinda like I am doing here, LOL! I call B. it is just a box of parts and has no genie inside. It either works as advertised or does not. I am certain every thing you mention in your list does just that. So too does the Grace Link. I think, not feeeeeeeeeeeeeel, it is as good as any device you noted above and far more affordable than many and easier than all of them.
Do I have to order one when they are available again — SOLD OUT! and send it to you? I may just do that. I know some of the folks at Grace Digital and have met them face to face. They are good people who work hard to make a fine product and sell it at a very affordable price. Let me know, brother. By the belly of the Buddha, I can ramble on, eh? I do not expect this to make it to being posted but I do hope you do me the honor of reading it. If you are not looking for it to be a DAC, then the key to choosing the best streamer is the software and the extent you believe that software will be maintained and upgraded into the future. I am a fan of the Bluesound OS since it is comprehensive in its access to services unlike ROON that only has two streaming service choices , has a intuitive interface, and is with a company that has been around awhile and appears committed to maintaining the software. This is one of those areas where sound quality differences are likely pretty subtle.
BluOS is excellent. I use an excellent Schiit DAC that I prefer over the MQA enabled internal one on the Node. My real point is that steamers should be evaluated more as software than hardwware. Is it functional, stable, and what are the features. I have lost count of how many updates Bluesound has issued in the past five years. Be forewarned though, my Node 2 bricked and I was informed that the repair would be too costly to consider and the manufacturer offered me the new NODE at a discount, which I went with. Hopefully the defective power supply problem is a thing of the past. Meanwhile, avoid buying a used Node 2 because it probably will be a doorstop before long. I also have a Nose 2i expansion card in my C integrated amp for a backup �� I tried out a Cambridge EVO a while ago which was a terrific amp, but I ultimately rejected it due to the cheesy app and returned home to BluOS. The streamer does matter a bit. The typical way to hear an amp is to use a full range speaker without a driver.
The typical was to hear a dac or streamer is to use headphones. You can follow the logic for order of importance. Will a Bluesound node plug into my Sugden A21 se signature will give me great sound using tidal mqa? Or should i look for a better one like the CXN V2 , arcam st60 , or a Lumin…? Thanks a lot! It really depends on the tonal balance of the Sugden great amp BTW and the speakers. The NODE is rather warm sounding. The CXN V2 from Cambridge Audio is a really strong choice. MQA support should not be the benchmark for a streamer. The NODE is really good but I think the Cambridge sounds a lot better with most hi-res PCM tracks. Cheaper and something you can also use with headphones. I have one. I want a simple device that plugs into my Ethernet and streams Qobuz at its highest resolution into my DAC while I remote-control it from my iPhone.
I have zero need for multi-room wireless, no Bluetooth, no file storage, just simple high quality streaming into my system. The Andover is hardly enough but the Node, excellent though it may be, is maybe too much. Anything in between? A Raspberry Pi feels a little too project-y at this particular point in my life. I own both the Songbird and NODE and consider the Bluesound streamer to make the most sense for me personally.
Our Buying Guide is going to focus on digital music streamers that are more affordable and offer most of the bells and whistles that you need right now to enjoy the myriad of digital music streaming platforms that are available. The Bluesound NODE is probably the best all-around affordable digital streamer right now and as we discovered recently with our first listen to the Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i and Pulse Flex 2i wireless speakers — it is also a fantastic digital hub to support a multi-room system in your home. That dilemma also applies to high-end digital streamers as well. A high price does not guarantee support for every streaming service like Qobuz or Tidal, or support for AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Connect , Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX or aptX HD. There will be hiccups along the way when it comes to support for MQA, DSD, or new casting methodologies like Tidal Connect — which allow you to stream directly from the native app on your laptop, iPad Pro, or mobile phone to a 3rd party hardware device like a streamer.
The recent introduction of Apple Music with lossless streaming , and the forthcoming release of Spotify HiFi will force manufacturers to make a choice and pay a hefty licensing fee in regard to which streaming platforms they want to support natively with the best possible sound quality. Will existing digital streamers support Apple Music with Spatial Audio? Will they require firmware updates for that to happen and when will that support show up? Another feature to pay close attention to is the quality of the control app. They are not created equal and some of them are quite rudimentary in their functionality and often wonky from an operational perspective. Firmware updates often fix one problem and create another. Another useful addition to the Songbird is the Optical TOSLINK input which users can connect to something like a Roku streaming box. Scroll to continue reading.
Wireless connectivity includes support for AirPlay and Bluetooth. The Songbird does not offer gapless playback with Tidal or Qobuz just yet through its own control app. The best way to use the Songbird is with a hardwired Ethernet connection and using the Andover app; which offers support for Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify. It gives you some wiggle room when it comes to selecting a DAC. The NODE now features an HDMI eARC input on the back panel, to keep your setup flexible and future-friendly. Wi-Fi connectivity, a Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 input, and support for two-way Bluetooth 5. This Roon-ready device also plays well in the sandbox with other ecosystems aside from BluOS and sounds decidedly analog for a digital component. New compatibility with Tidal Connect is just additional icing on your Vachon cake. For more information : www. Cambridge offers the StreamMagic app for iOS and Android which works just fine with streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, or Qobuz.
The CXN V2 has a very readable display which is sufficient for viewing album art, and the app is quite responsive. With support for Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2, the CXN V2 aptX Bluetooth requires an adapter offers a comprehensive way to connect to the world of digital streaming. The CXN V2 sounds very impressive on its own which will make it a practical option for a lot of listeners, but when you connect it to an external DAC that can put some additional meat on the bones while carving out a very defined soundstage — this network streamer will quickly make you question the need to spend anything more. In the plug-and-play streamer category which includes the ability to hide inside a cabinet and control remotely with access to your music collection and streaming services via your home network, the ultratender from Sonore is one of the best and most reliable streamers available.
The ultraRendu utilizes high grade parts, including an ultra-low jitter FEMTO oscillator, has a customizable OS, and offers excellent resolution, a warm tonal balance, and excellent sense of momentum. There is a learning curve associated with this, but the ability to tweak the ultraRendu to meet your specific needs will be a bonus for many users. Not every streaming customer uses Roon and there is something to be said about not being tied into one specific ecosystem. For more information and purchasing : sonore. The Linux-based server is set-up and managed through your smartphone, tablet, or computer and the learning curve is not too severe. Technical support offered by Roon is excellent and there is a growing community of users online to help you based on their own experience with the product.
Roon is now offering a 1-year subscription included in the price. The library can hold more than 10, albums, and the server can handle up to 6 simultaneous zones of playback. We do wish that the Nucleus included an internal CD ripper; listeners with a large CD collection that has already been ripped to an external HDD can connect it via the USB port. If you own a large CD collection that is not already ripped to an HDD, you may want to consider the next model in our list which offers that level of functionality. For more information : roonlabs. This two-box system will rip your CD collection, organize your metadata, and give you enormous long-term flexibility running Roon along with streaming services such as Tidal, and Qobuz.
The ZENMini MKIII can be run as a music server into an external DAC, via its analog outputs directly into your amplifier, or from its Ethernet output into your router for distribution to Roon endpoints scattered throughout your home. If you prefer a more analog sounding presentation — this is the combination to consider. Its ability to stream and play back video will be of obvious value for people who want an easy way to connect a media player to a HDTV. Yes — it can power loudspeakers as well. The unit demonstrated superb Wi-Fi stability in a home filled with wireless devices that are always competing for bandwidth.
Album art when streaming from Tidal or Qobuz looked quite impressive on the wider screen. A very compelling digital music streamer that only continues to improve with each firmware update. The last time I bought a couple, Grace Digital said they had hundred arrive and they sold out in a day or two. They make an excellent product. It is being sent from one of my Grace Links to an affordable DAC my S. no stoopid MQA allowed! and from there to an S. SP and then to a pair of Sennheiser HD6XX from Drop. What does this more than affordable, more than competent set up sound like playing George Harrison?
People do not want to Paraphrasing Alert! They desire to listen to the soundtrack that IS their lives. The Grace Link does that. That is really all any audio device need do. I do not count bits. I do not look in on the sampling rate. I do not want MQA. I could give an airborne intercourse about what I shall now call Romper Roon Ready. I am now well in to being a seasoned citizen and on weekends I often go and mount TVs for friends and family. I even did one for a Buddhist Temple a couple of years back as a friend is Buddhist. I also set up modest home theaters for a great many folks. I do not charge people as it is a pleasure being of service to these folks.
What this has shown me is that people, young and old alike, want simplicity in their entertainment. They want to push a button and turn on their personal musical WayBack Machine Mr. Peabody and Sherman! and hear their music. They want to see the artwork and associated information if available. My older brother used to be more in to audio and he is now on his third AV which I have given him. He had some problems with the internet tuner and when I visited him and his wonderful wife, I fixed it and showed him how to do so.
Then to make certain that would never happen again I sent them a Grace Digital Grace Link to hook into one of the digital coax inputs. He and his wife really like it. Trust me on this. I am not come to make waves, I am here to simply state what I know. Exempli gratia? I used to own and use a Squeezebox Radio. It was great but is now kinda sorta OOB. Out of Bidness. Some folks will go on and on kinda like I am doing here, LOL! I call B. it is just a box of parts and has no genie inside. It either works as advertised or does not. I am certain every thing you mention in your list does just that. So too does the Grace Link. I think, not feeeeeeeeeeeeeel, it is as good as any device you noted above and far more affordable than many and easier than all of them. Do I have to order one when they are available again — SOLD OUT!
and send it to you? I may just do that. I know some of the folks at Grace Digital and have met them face to face. They are good people who work hard to make a fine product and sell it at a very affordable price. Let me know, brother. By the belly of the Buddha, I can ramble on, eh? I do not expect this to make it to being posted but I do hope you do me the honor of reading it. If you are not looking for it to be a DAC, then the key to choosing the best streamer is the software and the extent you believe that software will be maintained and upgraded into the future. I am a fan of the Bluesound OS since it is comprehensive in its access to services unlike ROON that only has two streaming service choices , has a intuitive interface, and is with a company that has been around awhile and appears committed to maintaining the software.
This is one of those areas where sound quality differences are likely pretty subtle. BluOS is excellent.
How to Stream High-Resolution Music,Streaming services compared – at a glance
WebApr 21, · Unlike other services, Deezer Hi-Fi's HD streaming is limited to bit/ kHz with a bitrate of kbps. Although the high quality is still noticeable compared to WebApr 19, · Some services have significantly less high-resolution tracks to listen to, and this is an important factor to consider when choosing the best high-resolution WebApr 21, · Unlike other services, Deezer Hi-Fi's HD streaming is limited to bit/ kHz with a bitrate of kbps. Although the high quality is still noticeable compared to WebJan 23, · Qobuz offers hi-res audio streams too, Best for: Audiophiles who want hi-res music for a decent price plus the ability to Occupation: Editor ... read more
The bass is less deep and seems distant, as are the voices, which aren't well centered and distant. Qobuz can often be found installed on amplifiers, network players, or wireless speakers. The NODE is rather warm sounding. The whole scene is enhanced with these, and the balance loses its naturalness. Also, TIDAL has a streaming application for Amazon Fire TV boxes, Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield, and the Android TV, making it possible to use Dolby Atmos files' potential truly.
Ultimately, the delicate balance of budget and device compatibility within your home will determine best hi res streaming service you opt for. Recent figures state Qobuz now has overhi-res quality albums, while Tidal claims 'only' more than 1m tracks. Anyway, the files you'll get are actually FLACs. Quality: Kbps HD. In many ways, this is a perfect example of execution with very little room for improvement when the price is taken into consideration. When we test a music streaming service, we use it across these different scenarios and with different kit, from headphones to smart speakers and, of course, best hi res streaming, our reference hi-fi system. BobPM February 27, at pm.
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