http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/1/14776780/spotify-hi-fi-preparing-launch-lossless-audio-tier Spotify is preparing to launch a lossless audio version of its streaming service, according to multiple sources. The offering, which is currently called Spotify Hi-Fi, will offer lossless CD-quality audio to users — similar to what Tidal offers in its Hi-Fi service.
Sounds good, but an additional 10$ just for higher audio quality seems a bit heavy. Don't see how higher audio quality warrants a 100% price increase compared to Spotify Premium.
i already pay for Tidal hifi, and Qobuz. $20/month, basically the cost of one LP, is a bargain for access to a catalog of ~50m track in true lossless quality.
A lot of modern music is mixed and mastered to sound good on the tiny speakers found in cellphones, tablets, laptops, and earbuds. Because that's typically the way that most new music is discovered these days. Often times the overall mix and final result suffers because of this. I'm interested in seeing how many people are actually interested in this service. Not worth $20 to me, but I'd definitely use it if I had it.
When I listen on my speakers at home, I have a massive lossless 24/96 or 24/192 music library using foobar2000. The need for Spotify is when driving in a car, or in headphones when jogging or watching pron on mute with music playing in the background for you to keep up with a beat while you beat. Just not worth the extra cost IMO.
I have a 6 month Tidal free trial right now and honestly don't notice much of a difference. It's rare that I'll be listening on headphones, probably 10% of my listening is on headphones. Rest of the time I am in my car or just listening on speakers at home. Can't notice much difference.
Yeah,that's a lot for extra quality from a service that can't even figure out a proper algorithm for randomizing a playlist. That was a deal breaker with Spotify for me. Same songs. Over and Over.
basso, I use Klipsch Forte as my mains. Big heritage Klipsch fan. Looking to upgrade to LaScala's soon. ....no proper gear/separates yet. I'm new to all of this, but I would say I'm 70% movies and 30% music..therefor I've yet to justify to myself the cost of some of these vintage receivers or tube amps out there. I've been focusing on building a 7 channel set up when I'm now learning that I should just buy the best possible mains I can get to rid myself of the constant itch for upgrading. I want speakers that I can keep forever and pass down. Then, I'll figure out if I want to go with tube amps or stick with solid state(bought my Forte's demoed on a carver) and then start building the surrounds for movies, ie center channel first, then dual subs-preferrably SVS(I'm okay with my JBL ES250P for now) then rears. I don't want to mess with vinyl. At least, not yet. Don't know anything when it comes to that kind of stuff.
Big Klipsch fan here. I have a Klipschorn I inherited from my Dad that I used for years as a sub-woofer (it did an amazing job), and as half of a stereo speaker system. Couldn't afford another for a pair back in the day (hooked up 2 decent speakers and a sub-woofer I built myself for one channel - didn't sound half bad), and now that I can, I don't have two proper corners in my living room. Right now, it's in storage. I have a 5.2 Klipsch arrangement, instead. Sounds wonderful, but always thinking of an upgrade. It's a curse. Have a friend with La Scala's. Awesome sound. Klipsch speakers can be incredibly efficient. There was a stretch due to circumstances beyond my control (back in the '70's) where all I had was a battery powered transistor radio. I played it through the Klipschorn and was shocked at how good it sounded.
Oh man, that's awesome! What do you mean half a stereo system, though? Do you mean you have a single (1) K-Horn? How does that happen? I see single La Scala's and Belle's around because they were made originally as center channels for the K-Horn IIRC and people still use them as centers, but a single K-Horn is odd. Certainly, no way it can be used as a center with its height and corner requirement. I assume you will never sell it either since you inherited it from your dad. Maybe one day you will get lucky and find another single and you will never need to upgrade again. If not, and you do decide to sell. I'll take it! I'm young(32) so it's hard not to be tempted by the modern look of B&W or even new Klipsch like the RF-7II which is gorgeous. The heritage Klipsch won't win any beauty contests but I just love their sound and you're right, so highly efficient that I can play loud and clear with minimal power. I've learned how to install upgrades myself as well and read and learn more about them every day. These hand made cabinets and drivers are built to last! I'll take that over some outdated looking plastic Bowers and Wilkins speaker made in China. I can only imagine how much better they'd sound with a proper system instead of my Yamaha 7.2 AVR that's set to direct mode and plays music through my PC. Listening to Vangelis's Blade Runner SACD rip is amazing! I can only imagine how much better the La Scala, Belle or K-Horns sound with that massive mid horn. I'd try Cornwalls, but I think they're aesthetically hideous. Heresy's don't interest me other than maybe as a center or surrounds for my Forte's since the Forte is basically a big version of it with a passive radiator. I demoed some Chorus II's this past weekend and at such low volume, you can tell it just has a huge soundstage that I can't get from my Forte's and I am tempted, but at the prices, i see around in Texas, I'd rather get La Scalas. That large tractrix mid horn in the Chorus II, Forte II and Quartet makes a huge difference for me while others don't think it's much of a difference.
nice. after dabbling in HT for a while, i've gone back to two channel for both my main systems (i have a few zones of small networked speakers as well). the TV system is now a meridian G61, which i bought used. i use it as a two channel processor/dac, although it will decode dolby digital for movies, albeit in just two channels. power amp is a Primare 30.2, also purchased used. speakers are Focal 1007s, which are large bookshelf sized, on stands. audio comes from a logitech transporter, again used, and part of the networked audio system. my main is pretty much my dream system at this point, assembled over the past 2-3 years. there's another transporter, and an analog front end that consists of an Avid Diva II SP turntable, rega arm, and dynavector 20x2 cartridge. phono preamp is also an Avid. I went tubes for the amp, although it's not terribly extravagant by hi-end standards: Icon Audio ST40 mkIII with KT88 output tubes. the speakers I splurged on, Focal 1028be, which are large-ish floorstanding speakers. all wiring is Nordost. it makes me happy every time i listen, even when spinning my daughter's new Ed Sheeran vinyl. if you're open to used, you might look for an older Pioneer or Marantz receiver from the mid-late 70s. they can be found at reasonable prices, and would do a great job with your Klipsch speakers.
Man. I've got a lot to learn. What kind of route do I need to go in order to keep an AVR for movies? My Yamaha has pre out connections. Can I only connect a power amp to it, but that won't change the sound, only add more watts per channel? Basically, i still don't even know what pres. pros, monos and what not even mean and why I need those over an AVR that does everything
