Which audio streaming service offers an Honest Audiophile experience?

Which is it? Amazon, Apple, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify, Tidal, KZbin Music? Which one offers an Honest Audiophile experience? Do I still use Tidal?
Chapters:
Intro: 00:01
4 years of using Tidal: 01:14
Subjective Testing Method: 02:39
Amazon Music HD: 05:10
Apple Music: 05:47
Deezer: 06:37
Qobuz: 07:13
Spotify: 07:55
Tidal: 08:40
KZbin Music: 09:31
Concluding thoughts: 10:30
What the future holds: 11:35
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Website: www.thehonestaudiophile.com
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KZbin membership: / @thehonestaudiophile
The Honest Audiophile research/review process: • Let's Talk - My resear...
Tierlist:docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Audio Terms/Definitions: www.thehonestaudiophile.com/p...
Recommended Gear:
Rosson Audio Design RAD-0: www.rossonaudiodesign.com/
Meze Empyrean: mezeaudio.com/products/meze-e...
Hifiman Ananda: hifiman.com/products/detail/290
Sennheiser HD600: en-us.sennheiser.com/best-aud...
Sennheiser HD660s: en-us.sennheiser.com/hd-660-s
MrSpeakers Ether C (non flow version) danclarkaudio.com/
(similar to:) drop.com/buy/drop-mrspeakers-...
Aueze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)
ADV. M5-12D: www.adv-sound.com/collections...
CTM Da Vinci X: cleartunemonitors.com/product...
Tin Hifi T3 Plus:TINHIFI T3 PLUS 10mm LCP Diaphragm Hi-Fi Earphone - Linsoul Audio
Tin Hifi T2: www.linsoul.com/products/tinh...
Moondrop SSR: www.moondroplab.com/ssr
Sony NW-A105: electronics.sony.com/audio/wa...
Sony NW-WM-1a: electronics.sony.com/audio/wa...
Mytek Liberty DAC ii: mytek.audio/shop/lbrt-dac-ii-...
HeadAmp GSX-Mini: www.headamp.com/products/gs-x...
Soekris DAC1421: soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soe...
Tor Audio Roger: toraudio.com/main.html#
Schiit Auido BiFrost 2: schiit.com/products/bi-frost-1
Massdrop THX AAA 789:
drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789...
Massdrop THX AAA One Linear: drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-one...
Massdrop Grace Design SDAC-B: drop.com/buy/drop-grace-desig...
Test Tracks: www.thehonestaudiophile.com/p...
Tingvall Trio “Beat” - piano tonality
Sinne Eeg “We’ve Just Begun” - multiple layer soundstage
Molly Johnson “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” - female vocal tone
Leslie Odom Jr. “Under Pressure” - male vocal tone
Eric Clapton “Change the World” - soundstage, layering and placement
Yo Yo Ma “Ecstasy of Gold” - acoustic instrument timbre
Adam Baldych “Spem in Alium” - acoustic instrument timbre
Pain of Salvation “Stress” - bass and percussion balance
Michael Buble “When I Fall in Love” - orchestral dynamics
Patricia Barber “Code Cool” - sibilance check
Christian Scott “New New Orleans” - shouty upper mids
Tool “Chocolate Chip Trip” - imaging
Hans Zimmer “Why So Serious” - sub bass extension
Marcus Miller “No Limit” - bass control
Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”- bass check
Ilhan Eshkeri “47 Ronin”- orchestra and bass dynamics
Hans Zimmer: “2049” - sub bass extension
Cher: “Believe” - sibilance
Stanley Clarke - “Passenger 57 main title” - percussion, bass, separation and placement
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - “The Pine of the Appian Way” - soundstage, imaging, separation, dynamic range
Houston Person - “You are my Sunshine” - tone and timbre
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Gestalt Audio: gestalt.audio promo code: DBS
HifGo: hifigo.com/?rfsn=5772588.cbfbb66
Linsoul: www.linsoul.com?sca_ref=910677.dpweP21PzL

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I apologize for the background noise in the video, the stand for my notes was bouncing around because I can't stand still. Here are is a list of reference gear used during the testing and comparing for this video. Mytek Liberty DAC ii HeadAmp GS-X Mini Drop THX AAA One Linear Audeze LCD-5 MrSpeakers Ether C Rosson Rad-0 Drop Sennheiser HD8xx Audeze LCD-2 Closed Austrian Audio Hi-X60 Rode NTH-100 CTM Da Vinci X Xenns Mangird Top ThieAudio Oracle mkii Moondrop Blessing 2 JQ 4u Pro Tin Hifi P1 Max Tin Hifi T2 Hidizs XO Hiby FC3 Hiby FC4 AudioEngine DAC3 NextDrive Spectra X Periodic Audio Rhodium Chapters: Intro: 00:01 4 years of using Tidal: 01:14 Subjective Testing Method: 02:39 Amazon Music HD: 05:10 Apple Music: 05:47 Deezer: 06:37 Qobuz: 07:13 Spotify: 07:55 Tidal: 08:40 KZbin Music: 09:31 Concluding thoughts: 10:30 What the future holds: 11:35

[@edverbeek6292]

You are not only a honest audiophile but also a very deep digging and profound audiophile. Your work into this made me rethinking, especially about downloading files.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated. I am glad you found the video helpful and thought provoking.

[@taipan75]

I enjoyed this review. Well done. Thanks 😎👍

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoyed it. My pleasure, you're welcome.

[@davidplanet3919]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing your views.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome

[@fedebo1233]

I totally agree with you, thank you for your analysis!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome

[@vhgunix]

Thank you for you honest review!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome

[@JCRivera]

Thanks very much for this video, I hadn’t even considered Amazon music but it is indeed a very good platform. I love that you have the ability to switch between HD, atmos and 360 reality - even though the former are hit & miss (mostly miss IMO), it’s an interesting feature. I think I’ll keep Amazon and ditch Spotify, Deezer was a no go as I don’t feel it excels in any area, TIDAL and qobuz are not available in my region. Again, thanks very much for taking the time to do this comparison.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the thoughts. Amazon is a great choice for sure. I am glad you found the video helpful.

[@herb601]

Whew, you must be exhausted!? All my music is downloaded from my own CD's into AIFF format. Did a blind hearing test with my stereo friend comparing ACC to AIFF. We picked correctly every time. Supposedly AIFF is lossless. Another terrific insight, Dave.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness. You never fail to amaze me :)

[@herb601]

@@TheHonestAudiophile I'm hoping that's a good thing!!!😊We're never too old to learn new things and shame on us if we stop trying. If I don't learn at least one new thing per day, I feel cheated.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Excellent philosophy to live by.

[@ImAWSMDanny]

Good video, thanks Dave.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome.

[@James-mb5jr]

Great video!! In terms of pure sound quality, do you prefer the downloaded album or the physical CD? Thanks

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I don't really hear a difference to be honest. I prefer download because of convenience. I do need to get a quality cd player and do more testing.

[@ginom407]

Thanks Dave! I use Amazon HD and have been very happy with the service since leaving Pandora. At my age the issue with sound has more to do with my hearing than anything else!!!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy Amazon HD!

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

Is amazon hd amazon unlimited ?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@giorgivashakidze4805 yes I have the unlimited Amazon Music

[@imabeliever85]

This was a very good overview and review. I used to have Tidal Hi Fi. But you’re right, it’s more $ and the app isn’t anywhere near as smooth as some of the others. I like Apple and Amazon

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Yep, Amazon and Apple are the best options unless you want to pay the premium for MQA.

[@JimiMckeever]

Thank you as usual, I have been swapping between several of these options this month as well. My issue is, I can hear a difference at times but more often I feel I am perceiving just one being loader than the other or as you mentioned more forward mids etc.. I do not have the equipment you work with so I feel I am limited of really hearing the differences for that reason and I am having difficulty choosing one over the other. For me it may just come down to UI experience. But again thank you for your thoughts.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

The differences are subtle more often than not. If you can't hear much of a difference then it should come down to library and UI, I totally get that. I look forward to hearing about which one you choose.

[@JimiMckeever]

@@TheHonestAudiophile After years with Google Music, I transitioned over to YTM but have had noting but bugs and issues with them the last few years, so I knew I had to change. For Library, it would have been YTM has they pull from several sources but I am down to Tidal or Spotify. As I said, I do not hear too much a difference and I am favoring Tidal's UI but Spotify is better and music discovery. On side note should we look forward to seeing a review on the Sony Walkman MW-A306, I am looking to add this to my collection. Thanks.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

You're welcome. Spotify might suit you better. I look forward to hearing your impressions on what you decide.

[@paultomaszewski1964]

Since I don't stream, none of this mattered. But it was a good bit of info if I decide one day. All my music is either physical media or from a site for downloading. Mainly use 7 Digital or HD Tracks. The one reason I do this is the artist/musician gets a little more in payments than the streaming side.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Yes indeed. I download a lot of music from HD Tracks. I haven't used 7 Digital, I will look at that site.

[@baker8002]

I was literally searching for answers today lol Good timing! PS I got focal clear mg professionals as a present, and I'm looking to buy a dac/amp to go with them, do you think fioo k7 would be a good Mach or I need to go k9 pro, tho that would mean waiting a while till I save up for the k9. Thanks in advance!!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Sorry I haven't heard the K7, K9 Pro or the Focal Clear MG. Without hearing any of the gear, I would think the K7 would have enough power for the Clear MG. but again I am not sure how it pair.

[@georgeweah9717]

Thank You for your honesty. Streamed music mastering sounds compressed, unnatural and harsh to Me, compared to the original releases. I think it's because their catalogue consists of many remastered versions. I've found myself a lot of times skipping songs and listening to the same stuff 90% of time. I am less concetrated on actual music piece, because of ease of use in streaming services. I think I'm gonna leave them behind. In good old days I would listen to the same CD for months, now I am just sprinting through listening experience. That is my subjective experience with all those streaming services (past 3 years), except amazon which I didn't try. Your channel is very helpful.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I totally understand. As mentioned in the video, I prefer downloaded music as well. Thank you for the thoughts. Glad you find the channel content helpful.

[@OrganNLou]

I listen to Qobuz exclusively as it sounds best for jazz and Classical. I have tried Tidal and many labels offer poorer fidelity compared to Qobuz.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy Qobuz. I actually like Apple Music and Amazon HD more for jazz and classical. Thank you for the comment.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

​@@TheHonestAudiophile Tidal does have issues, most noticeable if you don't have full unfolding of mqa, they will use mqa to transport pcm, as it's smaller, so you compress it 16 times then unfold only 4. Sounds awful, whereas straight mqa ia alright at 4 times. I am going to try Qobuz..

[@wahid-lg1kk]

​​@@TheHonestAudiophileApple Music needs Apple devices, and Amazon is not in my country, it's geoblocked.

[@iknownothing495]

Started off with Spotify, which I think is the worst when it comes to sound quality. I do like their playlists and 'personalized' playlists. But the most important aspect of a music streaming service must be the sound quality. So, I switched to QoBuz.

[@fei19317]

Hi. Do you use a power filter in your system? What do you think about it?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I do not use any power filters.

[@audiofile1178]

I recently switched from Tidal to Apple Music and really like it. In my testing, Tidal sounded a little sharper in comparision to Apple Music and Apple Music sounded a little softer in comparision to Tidal. I have no idea which is correct but, both are better than Spotify Premium. I like that Apple Music isn't as expensive, has all the songs in my Library and while I have nothing against MQA, my HiBy RS2 has issues with MQA files and using MQA with USB Audio Player requires an extra in-app purchase that I do not like. These issues aren't there with Apple Music. I'm currently using Spotify for song discovery and Apple Music for some serious listening.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome 👍😎MQA and the extra steps to get it to play properly is a nuisance for sure. Apple Music is an excellent choice, I really like it for jazz and classical.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

Tidal hif +i is my private streaming service, Spotify for the family. KZbin music comes together with the KZbin membership. I tried Deezer but i didn't really like it. I also like the fact that Tidal is the most honest towards the artist's.

[@HagaP1]

Hello! I have an important question for you! Tidal with bluetooth earbuds streaming HiFi or Hi Res plan? Hi Res music has any advantage over HiFi quality if i only listen with bluetooth earbuds? Thank you

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

To be honest, I don't use bluetooth earbuds very often at all. As for Tidal the differences from other streaming services will be more evident on other connections but over bluetooth they will be subtle. It also will depend on the quality of earbud you are using. To sum up, yeah I think you will hear a difference but not a huge one using bluetooth only.

[@furiobisotti8150]

Two years ago I made a test with my system. Tidal was offering MQA. I compared some hires files I had in my hard disk with the Tidal streaming. I was hearing a big gap. I made a simple blind test with a friend. We agreed. Simple: MQA is not lossless. I tried Qobuz and it was much better: with the files I own, my hard disk and streaming sound the same. Since then I use only Qobuz, and I find it perfect. Nowadays Tidal abandoned MQA so I could reconsider, but I am not willing to do it.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy Qobuz. Thanks for the thoughts and impressions.

[@anthony2010707]

I like the sound of Qobuz more than Tidal.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Totally understand, we all have preferences. Thanks for sharing.

[@morallytainted1]

I did a similar comparison last summer and left Tidal for Amazon HD as well. I couldn't really find enough of a difference between them to justify the price of Tidal.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

They are razer close sonically but miles apart in price. I totally understand.

[@klintblin]

What file player do you recommend to use with DACs from a Windows PC? I discovered that Foobar and Jriver have different sound even when playing via ASIO.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I use Audirvana Studio. audirvana.com/

[@klintblin]

@@TheHonestAudiophile not available here, in Russia. I tried to find and download a "free" version with no success.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

That's a bummer. Sorry about that.

[@PaulBeetge]

Another issue I have. Amazon Music HD is not available in South Africa. Best I can get is Tidal.

[@Milo_Molnar]

I have Tidal now with FLAC files and Max quality. You were right. Great sound.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome 👍 Glad you enjoy Tidal.

[@hakunchristiansen9745]

I have done blind test with expensive headphones. Tidal vs Qobuz. I hear more information on Qobuz than i hear on Tidal. Deeper and smoother sound quality. Apple music vs Spotify. I hear diffrents in blind test. Spotify compressed audio, not losless. Qobuz 192 KHz 24 bit high res audio. Normally Tidal is 96 Khz high res both are losless audio. With an normal headset you can't hear the difrents on 96 and 192 KHz. If i should choose format between MP3, Flac, Wav, Alac, Vorbis, Ogg, Aiff etc. I go 100% for Flac format, when it comes to audio

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the impressions.

[@dmora2386]

Dave, what mic are you using? I'm confused as to why its so insanely clear that it sounds like you're talking in person.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I use a Rode Podcaster USB rode.com/en/microphones/usb/podcaster

[@christiharris292]

Thanks for the thorough review. I have been using Amazon Music HD for the same reason, with a prime account it is just cheaper and my family who are not into gear and sound like I am, can play it all over the house on Alexa. I like your take on downloaded music and that is not something I have gotten very deeply into since joining the hobby. I will do some thinking about that and give it a try.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome 👍😎 Look forward to hearing about your journey with downloaded music.

[@barlow2976]

I'm not an audiophile but Spotify sounded dreadful to me. I tried Tidal but decided.after a fortnight, I would rather go back to CD, ripped to my DAP. I can buy four CDs a month (eBay used) for the price of a streaming sub. And I can still listen to music after the apocalypse... Thanks for your meaningful thoughts.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome. I totally agree about purchasing cd or downloaded music and using them with a music management program and having them available without need of internet. Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing.

[@redkh2017]

Me aswell, I have accounts on tidal, amazon and spotify. But tidal sounds the most natural

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness. Yeah Tidal just has that special sauce.

[@pinkturtle2016]

I love tidal. The music quality is very eargasm worthy LOL

[@Milo_Molnar]

Dave. There will be album covers in playlists in next update of Tidal. I am tester of beta versions.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome 👍

[@weilbaum9018]

Where do you download your music?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

HD Tracks, Octave Records, Sony Music and a few others.

[@housepianist]

I use Apple Music and stream lossless. Some of the music will stream as high as 24/192 but I can’t hear any differences between that and 16/44 and 24/92. It also works for me from a convenience perspective because I listen to it from my iPad and M1 MacBook Air. It works for me and my ears! ☺️ However, I might try Tidal in the future but I’ll see.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Yeah the Apple ecosystem is a huge plus for sure. I really did enjoy Apple Music with my Android especially with jazz and classical music.

[@gs-nq6mw]

I use to think that lossless is placebo but when I listen to music on qobuz it feels so different

[@Milo_Molnar]

There are so many factors that change my opinion in 3 hours. I must admit I love Tidal and its sound / wider stage/ and genres choice, more than Amazon and Apple music/Qobuz is not available here/ so I stay with the king --Tidal😂

[@Chris_Hruska]

so all lossless tracks sound exactly the same and we are just comparing the built in EQ settings from each streaming app?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

It is true that some of the streaming services add in some colorization to the sound. If you want a true reproduction the track then I recommend you use downloaded/local files with a music management program like Audirvana.

[@dusantomic9983]

If you opt not to pay for Tidal HiFi, is the sound quality the same as Spotify?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Considering that the basic Tidal plan includes HiRes FLAC and Dolby Atmos and Spotify doesn't that could be an advantage for Tidal over Spotify. I stand by my comments in the video.

[@Medsas]

unfortunately my catalog is too eccletic so I have to use multiple methods: 1- my default choice is Tidal for modern music (mostly death metal, black metal, prog metal, western pop and hiphop), 2- YT music for asian music (kpop, jpop, cpop) because Tidal has a poor selection and for some reason everything is romanized which is annoying for someone who is used to reading the titles in their original language, 3-- my personal library using foobar for classical and jazz music, as this is a very stable catalog that doesn't really evolve of time (mostly early 1900 century composers like Prokofiev and Shostakovich :))

[@larszahlestergaard1862]

Thx very good

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome.

[@Milo_Molnar]

Dave, some audiophiles still say Qobuz is the best when it comes to sound. I was also tempted to cancel Tidal but didn't. I still watch your compelling video, play Tidal and it reassures me that I made the right choice and will stay with Tidal.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you found video helpful.

[@Milo_Molnar]

Yes😊​@@TheHonestAudiophile

[@carminedesanto6746]

I got one for you ..I’m in the Apple ecosystem..but I run Amazon Music HD ..and tho I send it out to my DAC ..the original file may be 24/96..Apple won’t output to the DAC past 24/48 ….but it sounds good and when I run IEM’s on my IFI Go Blue ( Bluetooth) it’s pretty damn good. In the end ..it’s what it sounds like to you ( me) … Great video and yes MQA ..isn’t something I think I miss .

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

That's interesting. I was an Android user playing Apple Music for a bit during this testing. But we both selected Amazon HD for our usages. Thanks for the comment.

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@TheHonestAudiophile 👍😋☕️

[@PartyMusic775]

In audio A/B testing you have to be careful to volume-match because whichever is micro-louder always seems to win. With one exception. MQA even when slightly lower in volume level, was the only one that STILL sounded better than the others. It's a shame they disingenuously marketed it, although probably compelled to do so to put it in layman's terms, but the whole "scandal about it not being lossless in the inaudible parts of the human hearing in order to pack more info to interpolate and emulate even higher bitrates", which we can call MQA-gate, has created some real damage to them in the audiophile community IN SPITE OF it still sounding better to golden ear audiophiles.

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@PartyMusic775 I do consider myself an audiophile..but as for golden ears …nope. Decades and decades of loud rock concerts, clubbing, rocking a trigger , heading into my senior years and having a touch of tinnitus…the ears have many many miles on them. Does it sound good ( the streaming service) to you , is it well stocked , is it convenient to use …and is it worth the money. Considering what you get as a bundle with Amazon Prime membership..it’s pretty good. Does it compare to my cd 💿 collection..I have to be honest and say yes..my headphone and IEM’s stack make my music ( regardless of source) sound pretty good to me. Have a great weekend.☕️

[@B1sD4k_got_the_milk]

Hi, I'm using Apple Music (family) and Tidal (personal). I was wondering if apple music really won't output past 24/48? What DAC are you using?

[@iKaGe01]

So apart from Spotify, which sounds transparent to me and uses 320kbps Ogg, you're saying other lossless streaming services sound different? So it all comes down to some kind of built in eq? Spotify has a lot of songs Tidal doesn't have inc a lot of video game soundtracks etc

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

As I stated, Spotify isn't a bad sounding streaming service and I can't guarantee I would be able to differentiate definitively between streaming services with high accuracy in a blind test. I am not sure what causes the subtle differences in the services but I do hear them with subjective listening. I do like the Spotify UI the most of all the services.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

To my ears 320kbps is very unsatisfying.

[@iKaGe01]

@@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536 I've done countless tests and cannot tell the difference in a blind test. Only if I scrutinise cymbals and swap back and forth unrealistically quickly can I spot any difference between the two

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

@@iKaGe01 maybe because i was born with absolute pitch? I don't know. I studied music, piano and trumpet. Jazz, Funk, Soul etc. I also travelled around the globe as an international DJ. I can tell you exactly when some other dj is "spinning" 320s. I hate it. I know it's not for everyone's ears. American whiskey isn't whisky. Not even close. A 50 cents cigar can't compete with handmade 30 dollar cigar. It's all about quality passion and taste. Because you can't hear the difference it doesn't mean that there is no difference. I am blessed with my hearing. I don't need any measurements. I also use expensive gear. Yes that makes a difference unfortunately. I wish it wasn't.

[@iKaGe01]

@@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536 Surprised you can tell from the off. It is something I just can't do. I have a pair of Kef Ls50s and I had a feeling I'd be able to differentiate but it isn't worth me paying a tenner more considering the music I have access to on Spotify. It's a nice piece of mind but I just cannot hear the difference

[@CoasterMan13Official]

I just download my music and store it on my computer. No streaming service can compare to the supreme quality of a pure FLAC file, especially with stuffed that's been ripped from vinyl (I have the Ray Charles version of Georgia On My Mind that was ripped from vinyl, and it sounds fantastic!) I even store some of my downloaded music on my phone, although I'm slowly transitioning to keeping that on an MP3 player that can actually store my music.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Majority of my listening is from downloaded music.

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

Hi, as I understand it, you use amazon streaming service but just download music?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I do the majority of reviews with my PC and desktop gear so all the music I listen while at my desk will be downloaded. For when I am listening in a portable setting I will use downloaded music and AmazonHD. I don't have any downloaded music on my phone. My DAP have both downloaded and AmazonHD. About 90% of listening is done at my desk. Amazon is streaming.

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

@@TheHonestAudiophile i stream music on Tidal hifi Plus. will it sound better if i download them from tidal app?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Tidal offline requires you to use the Tidal app, you can't play it with any other player. It will sound the same as using the app but it will save on your data usage.

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks Dave ❤️

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@giorgivashakidze4805 my pleasure, you're welcome.

[@LarryPutski]

Which one has better Dolby Atmos music

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I don't really know as I don't use that function. Sorry.

[@Milo_Molnar]

Dave. 10.4. will be only one Tidal subscription. There will be no Tidal HIFI or Tidal HIFI plus only Tidal. There will be the price of the current Tidal HIFI and features and audio quality of Tidal HIFI plus.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness

[@jimloftis1617]

Thanks! Even though this is only your subjective opinion, I value it and appreciate your doing all of this work. (I don' wan'na do it for sure.)

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thank you for the kindness and the gift, much appreciated. You are welcome for subjective opinion, hope you found it helpful.

[@isadorealire5722]

Have you tried Roon ?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Yep, had it for a year and tested it versus Audirvana. Kept using Audrivana, stopped using Roon.

[@Bushviking]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Agree on this. Audirvana sounds better with same flac files on Mac. Don't know why or how, but true.

[@sunewjenkuzo2835]

I guess I will just stick with youtube music since I only listen on bluetooth earbuds/headphones. Don't need to pay extra for HiFi if I can't really hear it.

[@Milo_Molnar]

I like Amazon music Unlimited. Great sound to me.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness 😎

[@nicktaylor7680]

As a long time Tidal listener I have now moved to Quobuz as Tidal has dropped MQA which by far sounded the most detailed and natural but no longer has this advantage. Quobuz sound is more audiophile in my opinion as it sounds more detailed with smoother mids where Tidal sounds as though the levels are cranked higher which can have more impact but ultimately is less audiophile. As soon as someone else offers MQA I will take it but in the meantime Quobuz is the best compromise.

[@VintageLuxmanStereoCollector]

Were you paying for Tidal HiFi plus or Tidal HiFi? Tidal HiFi is $9.99 and Amazon $8.99?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I had Tidal Hifi Plus. For a year or so I was on a family plan but the majority of the time I was the only one paying.

[@VintageLuxmanStereoCollector]

@@TheHonestAudiophile - I had Amazon for a short while but didn’t like their interface. I’ve used Tidal HiFi with my DAC & Bluesound Node. Recently added Qobuz now tied into Roon 2.0 and Roon ARC. Roon works great and has EQ settings inside for Audeze LCD-X headphones.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Roon integrates well with Tidal and Qobuz. Yeah, the Amazon UI is not the best. I use Audirvana Studio. I did have Roon for over a year and did a lot of comparing between the two.

[@choydeliverer7162]

Both Tidal and Qobuz are not avaioable in my country 😐

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Sorry to hear that.

[@FastAndFuryosa]

What do you mean by downloaded music?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Music that is stored locally on my PC. Music that I have purchased from places like HDTracks or that I have downloaded the PC.

[@FastAndFuryosa]

@@TheHonestAudiophile So you’re saying downloaded music on any service is better than the same song being streamed over the internet through the same service?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@FastAndFuryosa I use Audirvana Studio. I don't use the streaming service players. Only time I use the streaming players is on portable devices. Yes, I believe that downloaded music sounds better.

[@FastAndFuryosa]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Okay just wanted to clarify. Typically I listen to cd’s but if I’m using a service, a lot of my music is downloaded, but when I’m finding new songs they are actually just being streamed, whether its hi res or cd quality.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@FastAndFuryosa I don't download from any of the streaming services like Tidal or Amazon. I only stream from them. All of my downloaded music is purchased either as a download or from a physical CD that is then downloaded. All music is played back through Audirvana Studio. Only time I listen to a streaming service is in a portable device. I do about 90% of my listening at my desk and from Audirvana Studio.

[@ronsprouse7856]

I use Amazon Music HD.

[@svilenp]

👍

[@lucianilia7961]

Qobuz îs the Best!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy Qobuz.

[@anthony2010707]

I think the sound on Qobuz is good, but i don't like the interface, some of the stuff i see on there i find offensive.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the comment. You should be able to go into settings and have the offensive/explicit tracks/albums hidden.

[@anthony2010707]

@@TheHonestAudiophile okay thanks, i will try that, much appreciated and keep up the good work.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@anthony2010707 my pleasure, you're welcome

[@cubinn149]

I like tidal the best too

[@r00s.]

Qobuz FTW!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy Qobuz!

[@AndyBHome]

Is Dave from Pennsylvania? I think I'm learning what Pennsylvanians sound like. If he is, I'm getting better.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I grew up in Western New York and currently reside in Indiana.

[@AndyBHome]

@@TheHonestAudiophile thank you very much! I guess western New York isn't terribly far off, but I'll use that info to tune my ear further. Indiana, great! I'm in Michigan and very much like it here. Indiana is a regular place for me to visit and it's always a good time. I just found your video today and will name make a point of checking out the rest of your channel.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@AndyBHome thanks

[@sockhopsinger]

For accessibility for blind people, unfortunately, the user interface Hass to come first before sound quality. However, for music, quality by itself, I would agree that Amazon music has the best overall for the money. Unfortunately, the desktop accessibility people can’t find their back sides with both hands, a flashlight, a GPS, and written instructions.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Understandable. AmazonHD user interface isn't great.

[@Rsalmond83]

I’m probably in the minority of audiophiles that prefers Spotify after having tried all services. I do all my listening thru headphones and IEMs.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Use what you like, they do have my favorite UI of all the services, followed closely by Apple.

[@Bushviking]

I've used all of the services (except for Amazon) and came back to Spotify. I use it for discovering new music, and use my cd's and ripped flacs for "my staple music", the stuff I know I like. Spotify is - to me - most user friendly and easy to use. I use it for podcasts as well. So yeah, I'm with you on this.

[@PartyMusic775]

The audio quality on Spotify is just such dogsh*t compared to Tidal that in spite of preferring its huge library and UI, I can't stand it. If you can't tell the difference then I suppose it's actually the winner ... (unless you're damaging your subconscious' ability to gain better hearing refinement by robbing it of that opportunity? Who knows, no one has the full answers on what happens in the unconscious layers of musical experience, but I wouldn't risk putting sand in the motor oil.)

[@georgeweah9717]

@@Bushviking I've had the same experience and I am on the same recipe now. How do You find spotify recommendations, comparing it to others?

[@fruitarian]

Would you give more thought to getting to the point when you create your scripts?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing.

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

I've been comparing for a month Tidal and Qobuz. Tidal sound is more Relaxed, lush and punchy. Qobuz is much cleaner with more treble energy and Resolution. to my ears Qobuz Sound ist much realistic and True compared to smooth and relaxed Tidal.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the impressions.

[@TonkyTronicus]

This is the 2nd time in a week a professional audio reviewer has told me Deezer is trash. I can't catch a break here, lol.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I wouldn't say it's trash but it is lagging behind. Sorry.

[@TonkyTronicus]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Guess I'll give Qobuz a try. I'd go to Amazon but I try not to support them when possible due to how they treat their employees.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Look forward to hearing your impressions

[@TonkyTronicus]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Right off the bat Qobuz isn't gonna work for me. Deezer has an excellent UI layout and everything is easy to find, and I have the option of putting on Dark mode so that the screen isn't blinding white. Not only is the Qobuz screen blindingly white, the UI seems to have been copied from Buzzfeed and I feel like instead of music I am being presented with shovelware clickbait stories about what celebrities like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. But even worse than that, the very first artist I went to test, Soulpersona, one of my favorites, only has 1 album on Qobuz. Deezer has nearly his whole discog. The same can be said for Princess Freesia. Unfortunate. I was looking forward to trying the Roon integration.

[@TonkyTronicus]

​@@TheHonestAudiophile More testing news... I have access to a family members Amazon Prime account and after A/Bing between the same song on Deezer and Amazon, Amazon sounds noticeably more open and the Deezer playback sounds almost stuffy. Your assessment seems to be spot on there. Thanks for opening my eyes and ears. They even have Soulpersona's discog and a usable interface. Guess I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and switch over.

[@AbalMarius]

Not talking about sound quality still interesting how you choose amazon service against such as tidal or qobuz when it is not supporting truth bit perfect output in windows to usb dacs or even in daps. It has no real asio or wasapi exclusive support in windows so it is useless for real audiophiles. Bit perfect is basic that every real hifi streaming service has to support. And you haven't mentioned this . Other than that it could be good cheap alternative to tidal when qobuz is not available everywhere. But it is not, sadly.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Because I will be using AmazonHD in a very small amount of time for reviewing purposes I can get over the fact that it lacks true bit perfect. I have Bit Perfect with my downloaded music using Audirvana and that is where 90% of my listening occurs.

[@AbalMarius]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks for explaining, yes this way it is ok. Only amazon not so good supporting different situations as other platforms that has more developed apps. We live not in ideal world sadly. Thanks for your point of view and have a good listening.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome.

[@Milo_Molnar]

I am back with Amazon music.Cheaper and Still fantastic sound.😂

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome 👍

[@PaulBeetge]

Tidal

[@EduardTeodorescu]

TIDAL for regular contemporary music, QOBUZ for classical. End of story.

[@joncruz]

Agree but you can’t put Amazon music over Qobuz library wise or quality but I also understand you not using hi end equipment.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[@TheKineticworx]

I’ve enjoyed your reviews of earphones but this one is strange! Perhaps blind test tracks on each service then conclude what differences between the streaming services you found, then reveal their file formats, compression types, bit rates etc? Describing music services in the same terms you use to describe earphones seems quite frankly bizarre - you’re essentially comparing music fille formats and method and level of compression not earphones! “Apple Music reminds me of listening to music on a Sennheiser HD 600 all the time.”?!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I am glad you enjoy the channel content. I am surprised that you find this video strange as it is exactly how I am on all my reviews for the history of my channel. I am a subjective listener and reviewer. I am honest and open about what I hear and experience. In regards to the HD600 and Apple Music description, that is exactly how it sounds to my ears with its slightly too forward mids and upper treble.

[@TheKineticworx]

​@@TheHonestAudiophile fair enough, I guess I just feel that its possible to compare audio streaming services more objectively than earphones by looking at the compression used and other technical aspects of the files themselves, whereas there are multiple factors that make comparing earphones more subjectively feel appropriate.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

It's all music and how it sounds to the ear that ultimately matters in the end.

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

It looks like you are just reading your presentation, five words at a time’

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the feedback. I will be honest, it's not the easiest to read notes, add personality and not sound robotic all the while in front of a camera under bright lights. Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing.

[@thebestoffools]

Funny that Tidal just dropped MQA.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

It's a good thing I don't use Tidal for MQA. I clearly mention that in the video.

[@michaelcruz7704]

Spotify is good enough guys. Some users does not know how to tweak spotify settings thats why for some, spotify is not hifi quality.

[@RetroKid]

Dude, sounds nervous like he's talking at awake or an AA meeting

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing.

[@runorrunor5957]

Qobuz 11 out of 10 Tidal is losing its reputation due to involvement of mqa Spotify 🤮

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Milo_Molnar]

Tidal is adding FLAC.

[@Milo_Molnar]

I listen the album Sea Change /Beck/ on Tidal /24bit/192kHz . Incredible sound really.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Great album.

[@Milo_Molnar]

@@TheHonestAudiophileYes.

[@horikitty88]

I'm using Apple Music just to listen to music especially Jazz & Classical. And with my android I'm using KZbin Music because I love to watch the Music Video too 😊 Too bad Tidal & Qobuz just not available in my Country 🥲

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Apple Music is really good for Jazz and Classical music. Yeah that ability with YT Music is nifty for sure.

[@st1952]

👍