AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Apple tv tidal connect10/2/2023 ![]() ![]() The benefit of owning kit with full MQA decoders built-in is that all decoding is done by the hardware (bypassing the app altogether), which can unpackage the entire MQA file for playback in its original resolution. The only way to entirely unpackage an MQA file for playback, and therefore give you the most accurate representation of the file, is to, a) use an 'MQA Full Decoder' product (such as the Bluesound Node streamer or Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M DAC) that can unfold the file entirely, or b) use a combination of an 'MQA Core Decoder' and ‘MQA Renderer’ (for example, a Tidal desktop app and AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC) so that the former can perform the first unfold and the latter can unfold the rest. Similarly, the iOS and Android apps can only complete the first 'unfold' of MQA file decoding, outputting streams at a maximum of 96kHz. As the Tidal desktop app is an ‘MQA Core Decoder’, it can only ‘unfold’ the Masters MQA file once and output is 'limited' to 24-bit/96kHz. So, if you're listening through a computer, via its 3.5mm headphone output or through a connected (non-MQA-enabled) DAC, the maximum output will always be 96kHz – even if you’re streaming a 192kHz file. The hi-res Tidal Masters can also be played via the service's desktop, Android and iOS applications, as well as being supported by a number of those aforementioned hi-fi components (either natively or via Tidal Connect) as well as software platforms like Roon. For Tidal HiFi Plus subscribers, Tidal Connect can also (uniquely) cast MQA/Tidal Masters and Dolby Atmos Music files. Google Chromecast supports Tidal too, while Tidal Connect – a similar concept to Spotify Connect – also allows for easy streaming to compatible products from within the native Tidal app. Tidal apps also form part of several networked hi-fi products’ offerings, from Sonos, Bluesound and DTS Play-Fi platforms to Linn, McIntosh, Naim and Cyrus streaming products. FeaturesĪs well as being accessible via its PC and Mac desktop apps, web player (HiFi subscribers will need Chrome or Firefox for lossless sound) and Android and iOS mobile apps, Tidal has also expanded into Apple and Android TV apps and Apple CarPlay. That said, Tidal has ensured its HiFi Plus tier has extra appeal for melomaniacs and, besides, will no doubt still appeal to those with MQA-supporting hardware. This new subscription model puts Tidal's CD-quality offering in line with the competition from Amazon and Apple, although its hi-res streaming remains at a price premium that might put some people off. To incentivise current subscribers and new listeners to go HiFi Plus, Tidal has also introduced initiatives designed to appeal to music fans who are concerned about how their subscription cost is divided up, by providing artists with payments that directly represent each user’s listening habit. ‘Direct-to-artist’ payments now distribute up to 10 per cent of a HiFi Plus subscription to the artists that subscriber listens to the most each month, in addition to standard streaming royalties. A family subscription – again, for up to six people – costs £29.99 / $29.99 / AU$35.99. It is also the tier you have to subscribe to in order to listen to immersive music in Dolby Atmos Music and Sony 360 Audio. hi-res) by supporting Tidal Masters via Master Quality Authenticated ( MQA) technology. It brings audio quality up to 9216kbps (i.e. ![]() The top tier, formerly ‘Tidal HiFi’, is now known as ‘Tidal HiFi Plus’ and remains £19.99 ($19.99, AU$23.99) per month. Tidal’s basic 'Family Tier' has also seen the same increase in standard bit-rate streams but lets six people take advantage of it for £14.99 / $14.99 / AU$17.99 per month. CD quality) as well as offline capabilities and access to features such as Tidal Connect for £9.99/ $9.99 / AU$11.99 per month. The 'Tidal Premium' tier that offered 320kbps quality has now been rebranded as ‘Tidal HiFi’ and gets you audio at up to 1411kbps (i.e. For everyone else, a fee is still involved but you are paying for better quality.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |