The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.

Angsty said:
I'm a curmudgeon when it comes to cable and digital hocus pocus, as you know. In this case, WiFi direct is cheaper and perceived to be better - just go with it and don't worry.
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My $0.02 on Ethernet vs WiFi.

In the early days WiFi was bandwidth constrained on the 2.4 ghz frequency competing with other devices on that spectrum. This could cause drop outs and a less than optimal experience compared to an Ethernet connection.

Since WiFi 5 this has been less of an issue. The 5 ghz frequency is less congested and generally has more bandwidth. This plus the fact that modern WiFi routers (Wifi5, 6, 6E, or 7) are much more powerful and technically advanced. Not to mention the advancement of WiFi radios in the devices we connect to the network. All this results in better WiFi performance.

Also, for most people WiFi is just more convenient thus device manufacturers may spend more time and effort optimizing that connection vs Ethernet.

Lastly, getting a signal directly from your WiFi router is one or more fewer hop for the data to take getting to your device vs traversing Ethernet cables, switches, and WiFi extenders of questionable quality that could add noise to or otherwise degrade the signal.
 
How is tidal these days?

Was doing a bit of a hunt and it seems that it works with Siri and CarPlay unlike qobuz, would let me get a cheaper wiim and tidal connect rather than eversolo/fiio unlike Apple Music, and I’ve heard they’re phasing out MQA and moving to FLAC like the other hires.

Anyone using it lately? How does it sound? Versus Apple and Qobuz if you know? What’s the library like?
 
Joe Mac said:
How is tidal these days?

Was doing a bit of a hunt and it seems that it works with Siri and CarPlay unlike qobuz, would let me get a cheaper wiim and tidal connect rather than eversolo/fiio unlike Apple Music, and I’ve heard they’re phasing out MQA and moving to FLAC like the other hires.

Anyone using it lately? How does it sound? Versus Apple and Qobuz if you know? What’s the library like?
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Is this a Europe thing? I have a Qobuz app in CarPlay in the USA.
 
Joe Mac said:
There’s a Qobuz app but you can’t control it with Siri which is a dealbreaker for me.
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oh yes, that is a deal breaker! I can't control music I copied over from my iTunes now that Apple Music exists which burns me up every time I try it. Siri tells me she finds it, but that the network isn't available or something like that.
 
Joe Mac said:
How is tidal these days?

Was doing a bit of a hunt and it seems that it works with Siri and CarPlay unlike qobuz, would let me get a cheaper wiim and tidal connect rather than eversolo/fiio unlike Apple Music, and I’ve heard they’re phasing out MQA and moving to FLAC like the other hires.

Anyone using it lately? How does it sound? Versus Apple and Qobuz if you know? What’s the library like?
Click to expand...
I have still been using Tidal with zero issues. I actually keep Spotify for the car and other non-audiophile stuff, but Tidal is for the hifi system and headphone desktop situation.

I have had zero issues using Tidal Connect with my Cambridge Streamer, playback on any of my devices etc. I also haven't experienced any issues with the transition from MQA to Flac. I never used MQA and I didn't ever notice a change in sound, just read the news and saw the new file type in Spotify.

While Qobuz has officially rolled out Connect for a number of devices, my Cambridge Streamer still isn't supported. I've been saving the Qobuz trail for the day that finally comes to reality. But until Qobuz has a Connect I can use in my existing ecosystem, I will not be moving forward with it.

As far as sound quality between the two, I have not personally tested it. However pretty much everyone I know that has A/B tested Qobuz vs Tidal picks Qobuz every single time. For the science folks, I have no idea if that's blind testing yadda yadda. Just responses from people I know.

For me, streaming comes second to vinyl and it's number one benefit is ease of use. So until Qobuz becomes at least as easy as Tidal in my current uses, I'll hold off. Same reason I keep Spotify. It's much easier to share music with friends, discover music, put on background music, etc. I already mess with one complicated and inefficient medium. I'm not looking for a second.
 
displayname said:
I have still been using Tidal with zero issues. I actually keep Spotify for the car and other non-audiophile stuff, but Tidal is for the hifi system and headphone desktop situation.

I have had zero issues using Tidal Connect with my Cambridge Streamer, playback on any of my devices etc. I also haven't experienced any issues with the transition from MQA to Flac. I never used MQA and I didn't ever notice a change in sound, just read the news and saw the new file type in Spotify.

While Qobuz has officially rolled out Connect for a number of devices, my Cambridge Streamer still isn't supported. I've been saving the Qobuz trail for the day that finally comes to reality. But until Qobuz has a Connect I can use in my existing ecosystem, I will not be moving forward with it.

As far as sound quality between the two, I have not personally tested it. However pretty much everyone I know that has A/B tested Qobuz vs Tidal picks Qobuz every single time. For the science folks, I have no idea if that's blind testing yadda yadda. Just responses from people I know.

For me, streaming comes second to vinyl and it's number one benefit is ease of use. So until Qobuz becomes at least as easy as Tidal in my current uses, I'll hold off. Same reason I keep Spotify. It's much easier to share music with friends, discover music, put on background music, etc. I already mess with one complicated and inefficient medium. I'm not looking for a second.
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Yeah streaming is third behind vinyl and cd for me but I use it a lot in the car and when I do use it at home it’s for discovery or new releases that I haven’t got around to picking up yet.

This the €400 wiim ultra appeals more than the double the price ish eversolo and fiio entry level android streamers that allow for Apple Music. The wiim allows for both tidal and Qobuz connect.

I’d go for Qobuz instantly if they had Siri for use in the car but as I don’t and as that’s my main streaming use they’re out. CarPlay integration is pointless if you have to type on a screen or pick up your phone, both of which are also just plain dangerous at the wheel.

Tidal may be the best compromise for now. Or for when I buy a streamer at any rate!
 
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