[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Even though I personally use Qobuz, I thought this little discovery was worthy of mention. Been testing the site out called Audiophile.fm for lossless streams. One could use with proper FLAC files without paying for a subscription. Like anything free, it has limitations! You cannot pick specific albums on demand, but it is good for discovering new music, with higher quality playback. Even use with budget streamers, such as WiiM Pro or just a computer, or iPhone connected to a DAC.

The site provides some of the stations available in 24-bit/96kHz FLAC, not too shabby for a free service.
Another free site, I checked out is Calico, that offers some similar benefits as well. Although I preferred Audiophile.fm layout better.
Overall, this might be a nice alternative, for those who primarily use their own personal Albums, or Reel-to-Reels and CD's. I realize some audio enthusiast may be purist, against the digital online streaming, as a resource, and that's fine it's your prerogative.

My viewpoint, what do you have to lose $ wise? "NOTHING"!

https://audiophile.fm/


** I'm sure some already know of these sites, however, for the others not aware? Enjoy!

[mresseguie]

Thanks for the recommendation! 

I'm listening to the smooth Jazz station now, and will explore the other choices as time permits.

[konut]

Thanks! Enjoying Cro Jazz!

[oskar]

good find! thanks.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Are you exclusively using only Audiophile.fm’s music player with their stations?
If so, your not experiencing the full potential of their higher resolution music.
Typically, your computer is the culprit, arranged with less than ideal settings, not optimizing your audio. Even if you do tweak the computer, it still will not sound as good as the alternative below. To really capitalize on the higher resolution material offered on their site, I would suggest checking out the player below.
                                                                                             
 This is the best sounding free player to use with Audiophile.fm, is foobar2000. Foobar2000 also offers additional optional downloads too, catering towards an individual’s computer operating system.

To use it may be a bit technical for some, but the good news, AI can assist you with your
particular operating system. Therefore, optimizing all the settings on your computer, to work with Foobar2000 ideally. Just provide your questions, AI can assist, like it did for my neighbor.
I was impressed, how Foobar200 highlighted the resolution, to another level of enjoyment, versus the player provided by Audiophile.fm’s site.

For the less than savvy behind a computer technically, don’t be intimidated, seriously AI is a great resource. My neighbor isn’t that proficient behind one, and she said, AI was her savor, setting hers up with Windows 11 and her Jeshelli J2 DAC.

I almost forgot to mention an important detail. Download the portable 32 bit, not the 64 bit, provided you don't have a huge library of music, otherwise download the standard player. It provides the highest fedility and doesn't clutter your registry! This is based on using Windows 11 operating set up,
Here is their link:

https://www.foobar2000.org/

[Jon L]

This is a great way to find new music!
I can confirm excellent sound quality when played via foobar2000 "exclusive" output. 

A few things I ran into:

"Exclusive" output will bypass things like outboard Equalizer APO, so I recommend to download "Graphic Equalizer" from Foobar2000 site over the stock "Equalizer," which is suboptimal. 

To get the streaming links for foobar, click to go to radio stations's actual site, which sometimes lists the streaming link.  Often, no such links can be found, then ask AI for streaming links by copy/pasting radio stations URL. 

Some radio stations list streaming link that includes "metadata," which nicely displays artist/title in foobar(e.g. Radio Paradise), but many don't have streaming links with metadata, so only way to know what's playing is to have the radio stations website open (not playing). 

If you experience clicks, disruptions, try increasing foobar's buffer length. 

As far as great free radio stations, try:
https://d-dur.rozhlas.cz/   excellent classical music and sound quality!  P.S. I can't seem to get rid of click/pops on this station even after increasing buffer size.  Please post if you have the same issue and/or solutions 

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

 My friend said, she experimented using the buffer adjustment between 50-100. Mentioning on her set up, it had a few pop sounds while listening to music. Therefore repositioned the sliding dial from 50 to 100 for buffering, eliminating the poping sounds.

 Thanks for the additional information JonL, since she doesn't use this site, I just relied on what she advised me about using AI. She said one should exert a little patience, initially setting up foobar2000 to work with Audiophile.fm. I listened to her set up, and she was right, it's pretty impressive, usingAudiophile.fm along with foobar2000.