Tidal, The 1400KB/sec streaming service

Rclark · « **on:** 20 Feb 2015, 03:42 pm »

So I saw this in a popup ad yesterday and am dying to try it. 1400KB/sec file playback. I have a phone and a tablet, but have no way of transferring Tidal into my DAC from those (Emotiva XDA-2).

I have a cheap ASUS laptop I bought recently to learn Spanish on with Rosetta Stone. Don't really have any audio outputs although there is an HDMI output.

Is there some sort of external USB soundcard or box that can transport Tidal into my Hifi? I'm not even sure what format they use so maybe it needs to be converted into regular audio before my DAC can see it. I know the XDA can handle MP3's, but only those.

geowak · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 05:19 pm »

I have not used this service, but it looks interesting to me. Maybe someone with experience will chime in. Both HDTracks and Pono are unattractive to me for different reasons. Using Spotify now, but it has limitations even though the catalog is large and the GUI is nice.

Rclark · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 05:50 pm »

Sony is shutting down Music Unlimited (which was/is great, and oceanic-huge music selection) and switching over to mediocre Spotify. I sent Tidal a message on Facebook and they are considering a PS4 app.

Meanwhile I just have my laptop, someone can recommend a good one, but what would be even better is just a box that transports the audio into my dac via coax or optical.

Really want to try it, as while Music Unlimited was good enough with its 320KB files to make me ditch my cd player, 1400KB files would be incredible.

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 05:50 pm »

The type of phone or tablet could help. You can also get an hdmi to optical convertor on amazon.

ted_b · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 06:02 pm »

I have Tidal and have accessed it on multiple interfaces including Chrome browser (most full featured), Auralic Aries Lightning app, Sonore Rendu via BubbleUPnP android app, Aurender via Conductor app. The highlight of course, is the lossless cd-quality 16/44.1k streaming. The library seems pretty good, too. Played these through any one of my DACs (mostly Directstream or Hugo).

Note: sorry to the OP for moving this off my Hirez Music Circle but Tidal is not hirez, sorry. Higher rez than MP3, yes, for 50% of its library, but simply redbook.

Rclark · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 06:59 pm »

Thanks for the reply, sounds good. Can I just use any old soundcard? My issue is I'd rather use my nice Dac instead of the Dac built into an external soundcard.

Ok, maybe not hirez, you are correct, I was mislabeling it, but for everyday use, 1400KB is a huge upgrade over Spotify and the like. For meat and potatoes, quick access music.

I'm anxious to try it.

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:05 pm »

The hdmi adapter will go to your dac

Rclark · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:07 pm »

I'll have to see if I can play Tidal through my HDMI output, then that will cover it.

wushuliu · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:10 pm »

Tidal sound quality is outstanding. I could never go back to Spotify (which I've always hated anyway). Tidal does have random dropouts time to time though.

ted_b · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:10 pm »

Why do HDMI? How do you play music into your dac currently (USB, spdif, etc)? Just go that route? if JRiver use WDM driver. Or use Chrome browser app and set for direct out. It's only redbook.

Rclark · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:14 pm »

Quote from: ted_b on 20 Feb 2015, 07:10 pm

Why do HDMI? How do you play music into your dac currently (USB, spdif, etc)? Just go that route? if JRiver use WDM driver. Or use Chrome browser app and set for direct out. It's only redbook.

I currently play music through my PlayStation 4 via optical out into my dac via the onboard Music Unlimited service. They are switching over to Spotify.

I have a cheap laptop and was hoping to try Tidal with this in the interim. It has no audio output, but there is an HDMI, however I suspect it is limited to video output.

ted_b · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:15 pm »

Does your DAC and your laptop have no USB?

Rclark · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:16 pm »

Stop the presses, my Dac has a USB input on the back, but it's not a typical looking USB input, and I don't know how this would work. I'll have to contact Emotiva.

ted_b · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:20 pm »

It's a standard B connector Rclark, found on every USB DAC.

Rclark · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:23 pm »

Thank you, hopefully this can work and I can give it a shot on Monday when I have some free time to get the proper cable adapter.

ted_b · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:24 pm »

Again, why an adapter? What USB cable do you have that doesn't have a B at one end and an A at the other?

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 07:57 pm »

Sorry but

Rclark · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 08:09 pm »

Quote from: ted_b on 20 Feb 2015, 07:24 pm

Again, why an adapter? What USB cable do you have that doesn't have a B at one end and an A at the other?

I guess I've never bought a USB cable? I've only owned USB devices, which have a slim, wide connector, not a fat stubby one. Apparently, forgive my ignorance, USB cables are weird looking.

ted_b · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 08:15 pm »

Quote from: Charles Xavier on 20 Feb 2015, 07:57 pm

Sorry but

But what?

Rclark · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Feb 2015, 08:27 pm »

I just realized something, isn't a 1.4 Meg/sec rate superior to CD?