Streaming of 24bit/96KHz music

[Cincy2]

I made the switch from CD's to digital files a couple of years ago. I'm anxiously awaiting a "service" that will stream not just lossless music files ala Tidal but true high resolution music. I'm not a high octane geek so I don't know if internet data rates would preclude someone from receiving a stream of these large files. Would you pay for such a service? I think I would. Anything on the horizon that you know of? I think its a pretty small step from Tidal to a full high res service (Tsunami?) but then again anything you don't have to do yourself is easy.

Cincy

 

[joeinid]

Tidal is outstanding as far as quality is concerned. I am not sure the average user is ready for even higher data streams, but I'd pony up for more resolution and wider variety at my finger tips. Most services let you locally store the music for playback as long as you are a member so that would save on having to constantly stream content you play more often.

 

[CDLehner]

I wouldn't hold your breathe. Remember...in my estimation, audiophiles are 1% of 1%...of 1%. I would think cons, like cost and bandwidth...would far outweigh pros (actual paying customers); for any company even considering it.

QoBuz is probably closest; but they're not even in the States yet.

 

[wisnon]

I made the switch from CD's to digital files a couple of years ago. I'm anxiously awaiting a "service" that will stream not just lossless music files ala Tidal but true high resolution music. I'm not a high octane geek so I don't know if internet data rates would preclude someone from receiving a stream of these large files. Would you pay for such a service? I think I would. Anything on the horizon that you know of? I think its a pretty small step from Tidal to a full high res service (Tsunami?) but then again anything you don't have to do yourself is easy.

Cincy

That is the idea behind Meridian MQA.

Faux hiRes at RBCD data rate.

 

[the professor]

As bandwidth increases for HDTV streaming being the norm instead of cable TV, I think it's very realistic to have a Hi-res music file service.

 

[Julot]

I find the loss of quality from playing from Internet streaming as opposed to a good local disk far outweighs the gains of high res files. Of course you never know what future technology holds but I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer music played locally with a slight loss vs streamed FLAC. From this audiophile's point of view the value of streaming is the ability to listen to records before you buy them, but the serious listening entails owning the file.

 

[Cincy2]

That is the idea behind Meridian MQA.

Faux hiRes at RBCD data rate.

First I've heard of this. Interesting concept. The perfect solution would not be proprietary to any one company but we do not live in a perfect world. I would hope dCS being a UK company also would embrace his algorithm and license it for their DACs/Upsamplers. Something to look forward to.

Thanks for the data.

Cincy

 

[mep]

On a similar note, I have my new Sony AVR setup so it can wifi stream music from my server which is located downstairs in my audio room which is using Jriver 19. I can see my playlists on my tv and the individual songs. When I click on a song, I get no music and I don't know why. It would be cool to stream music upstairs while I'm preparing/cooking meals, but I don't know why the music isn't playing.

 

[cmalak]

First I've heard of this. Interesting concept. The perfect solution would not be proprietary to any one company but we do not live in a perfect world. I would hope dCS being a UK company also would embrace his algorithm and license it for their DACs/Upsamplers. Something to look forward to.

Thanks for the data.

Cincy

Cincy....some further light reading D):

Robert Harley Listens to Meridian MQA | The Absolute Sound
Industry Support for MQA is Growing | The Absolute Sound
I've Heard the Future of Streaming: Meridian's MQA | Stereophile.com
Meridian's MQA | AudioStream
Master Quality -- Authenticated - Meridian Launches New Digital Encoding and Storage Process - The Audio Beat - www.TheAudioBeat.com

There's a lot more discussions back and forth on various forums but suffice it to say, this looks like an interesting way of streaming hi-rez at red book rez rates

 

[wisnon]

First I've heard of this. Interesting concept. The perfect solution would not be proprietary to any one company but we do not live in a perfect world. I would hope dCS being a UK company also would embrace his algorithm and license it for their DACs/Upsamplers. Something to look forward to.

Thanks for the data.

Cincy

Yes, I think the idea is to license it widely and cheaply, Dolby style.

 

[wisnon]

On a similar note, I have my new Sony AVR setup so it can wifi stream music from my server which is located downstairs in my audio room which is using Jriver 19. I can see my playlists on my tv and the individual songs. When I click on a song, I get no music and I don't know why. It would be cool to stream music upstairs while I'm preparing/cooking meals, but I don't know why the music isn't playing.

Networking can be a PITA. Squeezebox would do this to me sometimes and would force a complete reboot and resetup. I think it one point I had to bind Mac addresses and set address reservations so that when using dynamic DHCP the space wouldnt get bogarted by another wifi device suddenly being started up. Can U use powerline and ethernet o do your Sony connection. That tends to be less finnicky!

 

[wisnon]

Cincy....some further light reading D):

Robert Harley Listens to Meridian MQA | The Absolute Sound
Industry Support for MQA is Growing | The Absolute Sound
I've Heard the Future of Streaming: Meridian's MQA | Stereophile.com
Meridian's MQA | AudioStream
Master Quality -- Authenticated - Meridian Launches New Digital Encoding and Storage Process - The Audio Beat - www.TheAudioBeat.com

There's a lot more discussions back and forth on various forums but suffice it to say, this looks like an interesting way of streaming hi-rez at red book rez rates

You should change your moniker to Lecturerer or Professor (taken already)...that is quite a reading assignment you have handed out there Cyril! LoL

 

[cmalak]

You should change your moniker to Lecturerer or Professor (taken already)...that is quite a reading assignment you have handed out there Cyril! LoL

Just trying to disseminate the info on an as needed basis...an informed consumer is a smart consumer

 

[wisnon]

So do you eagerly await MQA and its possibilities?

It certainly is polarizing.

 

[cmalak]

Seems to have its supporters and naysayers as you say. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating....got to sample the goods before rendering an opinion.

 

[wisnon]

Not really, we know its MINIMUM RBCD+ SQ right from the get go and streams with the same bandwidth, so that alread makes it technically proficient. If its Audibly lossless as they claim (with original ADC filter correction to boot), its another feather in their nest. That of course we will only know after eating the pudding, but does not stop technical viability.

Thus, the only thing left in doubt is their business case and how the market will accept it. If they are cheap and ubiquitous like Dolby, it could be a winner. If they are exclusive, expensive and remain essentially proprietary, the best they can hope for is SACD fate.

So when I asked about awaiting more details, I really was thinking about the business plan they will unveil. Stuff like inexpensive( but quality) MQA decoder boxes to retrofit to existing gear would be a nice start.