Don’t Waste Your Money on HiFi if You Only Use Spotify!!!

[@mydogskips2]

As an audiophile, I've always looked down my nose at Spotify, given what I've heard about it, but a few months ago I got past my snobbery and gave it a try using a free trial, and honestly, I thought it was the best I had ever heard a certain song over streaming. Now, that was just ONE SONG mind you, not everything else I listened to was great, but at least one song was, at least to my brain on that day. I think the quality of sound we are going to hear through our system is always going to first come down to how well the source material was recorded and mastered, followed by how well it was uploaded for streaming, and if it's done poorly, there's not much we, as the end user, can do to enhance it. What is it that they say, you can polish a turd... My point isn't that Spotify sucks, it's that all music platforms are inconsistent. I've heard great and poor recordings on every digital platform, streaming services as well as CD, so it all comes down to how each individual song/track was produced, not the platform itself. So I would say, you can probably find a good-sounding recording somewhere, and in that sense, having a better playback system will never hurt.

[@audioarkitekts]

I agree with this.

[@939Productions]

You don't need anything better. Spotify can give you all the audiophile stuff. Floating images, connection to the music, feeling live in the room. It does it all

[@audioarkitekts]

I'm glad it works out so well for you!

[@007soedal]

Spotify can sound marvelous throught a good system.I disegree with Mike on this one. He is in line with the Linn "source first" school. Does not work. However, I like this channel anyway. Thanks Mike!

[@939Productions]

@@007soedal the source in this case is at such a level that you need a good system to notice the difference and a ridiculous level to be bothered by it

[@charleswoods4830]

I’ve had a list for audiophiles compliment my system, not knowing that I was dreaming from Spotify

[@audioarkitekts]

This happens all the time. It's fun to trick them, lol 😆 😂

[@ianhayes7684]

You can put spotify through a nice system and enjoy yourself. A/B test it vs a cd or vinyl or high res and they will sound noticeably better. Doesn't mean it sounded bad before the comparison.

[@beachcaster56]

I used to have a dedicated music room with a hugely expensive krell based system ...expensive speakers and cables that cost more than most people's systems. I used to listen sweating with anxiety ....was the treble right ?.......were the speakers positioned correctly ?...can I improve things? I was listening to the equipment, not the music. Over time I realised this.......sold the lot...and replaced it with a decent but quite cheap setup. Now I could once again listen to my music.. These days I am happy with streaming and I can listen without sweating :)

[@audioarkitekts]

It’s a huge weight lifted for sure! 👍

[@cunawarit]

This is the best approach :) Humble speaker setup that still sounds fine (not great, not good, just plain fine) and a DAC connected to your streamer and CD player so you can still use headphones when you want better than fine.

[@johnbrentford5513]

The Bang & Olufsen stores inside the mall back in the 80s use to impress me so much especially as a teenager.

[@audioarkitekts]

I wish I could have experienced that!

[@johnbrentford5513]

@@audioarkitekts Everything Bang & Olufsen made in the 80s looked like it was from the future.

[@patrickjoseph3412]

I've been ripping CDs to FLAC with Extract Audio Copy since 0.3 beta . I've ripped so many CDs from friends, family and acquaintances over the years . About 12TB worth of data

[@Harjawaldar]

damn, that's a shit ton!

[@garymiles484]

I have done the same thing. I always read in many posts from audiophiles that FLAC is inferior to wave, which is of course BS. Audiophiles refuse to blame their DACs and instead blame FLAC, so so sad.

[@bikdav]

You told it exactly as it is. This is what I suspected after numerous “trial and error” rituals. I found that the resulting quality of the sound is dependent on the quality of the recording.

[@mydogskips2]

True, the source material will always be a limiting factor, but I do believe you can get improved sound with better components. Upgrading your speakers, DAC, and amp should provide better results up to some threshold, then you just need to find better quality recordings and delivery methods to get more out of your system and realize its full potential.

[@audioarkitekts]

No matter what DAC or signal chain is used, if the source material is poor, then the results will reflect. However, it can play both ways. If you use a poor signal chain, then even the best recording won't shine the way it should.

[@bikdav]

@@audioarkitekts That’s a good point.

[@thomasward00]

Why use Spotify if you've spent good money on a hifi system or good headphones? I prefer Amazon HD to Qobuz, same sound quality but prefer Amazon's interface, music discovery and library.

[@audioarkitekts]

I feel the same way. Spotify primarily lives on my laptop for ambient music while I work.

[@thomasward00]

@@audioarkitekts Spotify has a great interface, Discovery and Library.... its a shame they don't have high res.

[@Dex4Sure]

@@thomasward00 Qobuz has higher bitrate than Amazon, and Qobuz Windows app has proper exclusive mode that works, while Amazon app does not do proper exclusive mode. It does not do bit perfect playback as it doesnt change the DAC's sample rate accordingly. Qobuz is just better on that regard, but I agree Amazon has better catalogue. If Amazon fixed their Windows app it would be perfect for me.

[@cunawarit]

I'm the only crazy person who has a DAC connected to a BOSE soundbar and bass module. It sounds different than using the internal DAC, a bit more open, but crucially it lets me use headphones :)

[@audioarkitekts]

I’ve had those moments where I do something wild without rhyme or reason and it just works for me and the next guy might judge lol

[@johnpajestka5022]

I really enjoy Spotify. Ease of use on app is top notch in my opinion. Recently upgraded my main system and went back and forth about adding a streamer with hi-res. In the end using Spotify connect with my Sony X800 sounds great to my ears. Honestly gives me a reason to work on my CD collection if I know I'm gonna get a little bump in quality.

[@Harjawaldar]

My dad has a 5,1 dali speaker set hooked up to a denon receiver from 2000, and I got him an Argon music streamer for spotify use, and damn, it sounds really great! but I notice that the definition isn't quite as good as my CDs. Heavy metal snares doesn't quite cut through as clearly. He has better speakers than me, but I notice that difference.

[@Harjawaldar]

Sidenote: I was convinced that the DAC on the denon reveiver would be best, and got an expensive optical cable to use the argon streamer as a transport, but I was wrong, it sounded much better with analog cables.

[@leeh4722]

Big difference in clarity between Spotify and CD to me…night and day but you need decent speakers headphones to witness it I think

[@audioarkitekts]

Agreed, the more your system reveals imperfections, the more you will appreciate lossless streaming.

[@jkl2000]

@@audioarkitekts Is there such a thing as "lossless streaming?"

[@audioarkitekts]

@JL good point lol

[@AiBot3777]

I can hear the difference between Spotify and quboz on my phone speakers

[@ledze973]

I enjoy Spotify in my system consisting of a Sreamer, DAC, integrated amps (Tubes and SS), different speakers from Elac, Triangled, Buckart, and Klispsh

[@audioarkitekts]

Nice, I am glad it works well for you.

[@thegass]

only audiofools hear a difference between lossy and lossless. and that only if they are knowing if the file is lossy/lossless.

[@koalalost]

I grew up in the live music 80's and now feel the pain of those loud gigs so don't have the "ear" to break down the fine detail that others might have (I wouldn't change a thing). So looking for different things in my music as we all are. Spotify range of music and easy access has been great for Joh average like me to hear music from past and present new. Its not a bad thing to get feed back from people with knowledge and different views. We all love music and try to get best sound we can.

[@quackgarage9551]

You aren't missing a thing. Hi-res audio is pure placebo and only relevant when producing, which doesn't translate into higher quality if compared to a good (and completely transparent) format like an 320kbps Ogg Vorbis from Spotify Premium, which is more than enough. Bascially, hi-res audio is the scam of the century when it comes to a listener point of view. It has nothing to do with audio quality but rather to be able to prevent aliasing during the recording process with frequencies outside the audible range. Those frequency values indicate the sample rate, not the quality. The reason we capture higher frequencies is to make sure we're not accidentally introducing aliasing which will produce frequencies in the audible range and that's a problem. Again, this is all relevant to recording anyways, but once everything is set and done, all high inaudible frequencies have been removed and there's literally no difference in quality from 44khz to 192khz. Literally none. If there's one, all you're hearing is different LUFS/masters or plain and simple placebo. Too many dorks and gatekeepers in this hobby who just wanna justify the fact that they've spend a lot of money on overpriced gear (that are an absolute overkill) and services.

[@Thepapoyboyz]

the app support for playing flac, i already tried it with my lossless files. its can play 96/24 too. i feel different with same song. like the same song from spotify other one the same song but flac format. its disappointing because the app support but there no hi fi service in spotify

[@asokthiagu131]

Apple digital master in iTunes is variable bit rate of 256kbps lossless cd is about 900kbps flac. You only need 900kbps when your music is complex and high mastering quality. Most of them are not. In my experience you can find different in sound quality about 10% in cd vs high quality MP3 /aac. But the price are double in comparison. So I chose to purchase AAC preferably apple digital master in iTunes and playback with blu-ray player and it sounds so good that you can't distinguish with cd. Plus you can't tell the CD you purchase is 100% original copy, but in Apple digital master you know for 100% the source of file is authentic. This is because there's cd that is 99% like original copy. I have several of them it sound terrible than the downloaded AAC file from iTunes, maybe you could own some. It's really hard to differentiate then from original copy and are legit.

[@DiegoMartinez-hf7iv]

what happen when spotify is stream out via airplay ?

[@Alexander-sr1dk]

What are you using mostly? cOPAS?

[@007soedal]

Dont really agree about your statement about the streaming being the weakest link. I use Spotify as my main, but not my only source. My experience is that it still pays off using good quality electronics and speakers. If the source is Spotify (from Argon streamer/Topping D70s dac) or my Michell Gyrodec, the change in quality still shines throught when upgrading the rest of the chain. The rest of my system is Quad Artera Pre and Power. KEF LS50 Meta.

[@audioarkitekts]

You would be surprised what a CD or Qobuz will provide you with. If you don't notice a difference, then I truly envy your forgiving ears 😉

[@007soedal]

@@audioarkitekts Got a nice Sony CD-player connected to the same dac. Have also used Tidal before. I don't say that those are not better but it is still possible to get really good sound from Spotify. Another thing is that I sometimes find it difficult to know what kind of edition of an album I am comparing. Many of the great albums have been remastered several times so to compare cd vs Spotify can be difficult sometimes. Are we comparing formats or mastering editions?

[@cameronleehorace]

What microphone do you use as the sound is amazing?

[@Firebottleman]

Yes Mike there is a piece of gear that I'd like your take on. This integrated amp is from Onkyo believe it or not. It is the A-9150. I've been researching integrateds for the summer months around $500, for when my KT88 valve amp is benched because of heat dissipation. I don't run my tube amp with an air conditioner at the same time. Anyways this unit is totally flying under the radar so far, and is supposed to be very decent for around $500. Not too much on the web on the A-9150. It would be cool if you could give one a whirl to see what you think. Thanks for the video. Peace

[@audioarkitekts]

That's a great choice. I haven't really explored Onkyo for many years, it would be interesting to see how they've evolved.

[@birgerolovsson5203]

I'm an oldie. I still ONLY use/listen to my CDs/SACDs. No streaming here and I don't listen to Flac from hdd's either. I have ripped all my CDs to hdd's in the wav-format but that's more for backup, I guess, since I've not used my wav-files to listen to yet.

[@audioarkitekts]

That's the way to go. I love my CDs!

[@birgerolovsson5203]

@@audioarkitekts Me 2

[@bradavon]

Spotify for Bluetooth. Amazon Music for Home High Res. That's me. I think Spotify is a better service but no lossless is irritating.

[@audioarkitekts]

I really wish it had lossless. That would change the landscape for sure.

[@newheadstart]

​@@audioarkitektsi heard they're planning to soon release a lossless audio tier with a more pricey subscription named "Supremium" internally

[@jappiechuloo]

Great video and yes please a video about a nice System around a 500,- would be great!

[@audioarkitekts]

Thank you!

[@mirakel64]

I also watch videos of audiophiles spending thousands of dollars on cables etc. They either listen to perfection or are annoyed by imperfections. I listen to music and don't listen to imperfections. Sometimes it is better to choose other speakers than an expensive speaker cable. That's my opinion. I enjoy music and am not going to analyze it, what do you think.

[@mydogskips2]

Some people will NEVER be happy with anything, for audiophiles, it's their sound system, and I'm probably one of those people, but I have learned to be content with what I have, knowing I've done the best I can with the constraints I have. As for listening, well, different people listen differently. I for one enjoy listening analytically, not for imperfections per se, but I do notice them and can therefore appreciate the deficiencies of my system and know what I might want to tweak. I enjoy the process, but I do also enjoy casually listening to music as well, I do it every day.

[@audioarkitekts]

I think spending a huge chunk of your budget on speakers is the right way to go.

[@AmazonasBiotop]

You missed out the most important thing. To define WHAT you were testing or referring to..🤔 I guess when you omit it then you didn't configured the quality setting and nor the dynamic range either in Spotify..✨ So Spotify in its standard settings is maybe not what an true audiophile use..😅 So an more interesting question ❓ is what/how Spotify perform when proper attention to its SQ enhancing settings is done ❓🤔✨

[@audioarkitekts]

I always have Spotify at its highest settings, it would be unlistenable otherwise.

[@AmazonasBiotop]

@@audioarkitekts Great then we have the dynamic range setting?

[@audioarkitekts]

@@AmazonasBiotop there is only so much you can ask of a 320 kbps format. There is so much digital information missing that you are cheating yourself the potential of the recordings true capabilities.

[@mydogskips2]

"Sure, it's always fun to bring home new gear, who wouldn't like that? You know... but why unnecessarily spend when you may already have the perfect solution at your fingertips?" Why couldn't you have made this video yesterday before I dropped some money on Amazon, spending unnecessarily when I already have the ALMOST perfect solution at my fingertips? Oh well, as you said, it's always fun to bring home new gear. Well, at least until you get to the point of knowing you need to get rid of some old gear cluttering up your house. ; )

[@audioarkitekts]

Recycling gear into new gear is the best way to do it 😉

[@longbluesquid]

I dumped Spotify when Tidal came around. Also I have Qobuz and Apple Music lossless.

[@HungryEatNow]

If you love music, Spotify, it is the way

[@Chris.from.1950]

The Spotify algorithm is the best. Sound quality is not the best, but with even a modest modem, the Schiit Modi, I can enjoy the experience immensely! 🎉❤

[@audioarkitekts]

Nice, I am glad it worked out.

[@johnpajestka5022]

That's what I'm using. Schiit modi with Sony X800 running Spotify connect. Sounds great to me.

[@ranbymonkeys2384]

That is just the amount of data that it takes to stream, for example 44100 kz (cd quality) is 320 kbps. uhh ohh

[@audioarkitekts]

It's compressed to all holy hell and you know it lol 😆

[@Dex4Sure]

44100khz 16 bit (cd quality) is 1411kbps, not 320kbps. 320kbps is mp3 quality.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

Yes. Next?

[@CoasterMan13Official]

You'd be dead wrong on that one. Spotify uses mp3, which is a lossy format, so it's going to sound like shit. You don't need a $1000 holy f*ck DAC just to listen to lossy music encoding.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

@@CoasterMan13Official you don't understand the technology or how it works. digital to analog conversion is critical regardless of bit rate. and bit rate isn't the only factor in high quality recording. learn more.

[@bradavon]

Other than the built-in Casting apps on some hardware, which generally have poor UIs, is there a way to stream Qobuz in High Res wirelessly? Qobuz knowledge base says to use Chromecast but they're being economical with the truth. Those don't support High Res and certainly not 192/24. Qobuz sends it but I believe it gets resampled to 48Khz. I know the CA technically did 96/24 but I have one and Amazon Music UHD didn't support it.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Good morning from Toronto again☕️☕️ Well, putting together a system under $500 can be challenging, it can be done if you pay attention. IEM’s ( or headphones) for transducers, and an IFI Go Blue. Along with your choice of music services streamed (via Bluetooth or tethered) from your smartphone..that’s the minimum..that gives you maximum joy 😊 Take care and enjoy the weekend. ☕️🍕👍

[@audioarkitekts]

Thank you Carmine, I hope you enjoy the weekend.

[@frankd.b.9233]

Bit man bits - 24/ 8 Ohm

[@post22unboxing22]

How a Samsung sound bar

[@rafaeltavares6928]

Said the guy that loves mqa