Tidal on NDX: first impressions

Posted by: phosphocreatine on 06 October 2015

I installed the new firmware on my NDX, checked in to Tidal with my account (HIFI) and started.

App. experience on Ipad:

the Tidal app. is cleverly integrated into the Naim app and response times are very fast. In the main screen are placed playlists, albums and so on as for the application that you usually run on your PC or IOS. The search for artists, songs or albums is responsive as in general is the general user experience. The thing I find most interesting is the possibility to create a playlist that include both songs from Tidal and from the local network (in my case a NAS Qnap with Minimserver): Well done Naim and the beta testers !

Sound quality:

Basically I noticed a general sound quality that is lower to the one obtained from my NAS: the bass is more boomy and details are lower. This phenomenon is not, however, constant and to explain what I have in mind I take two examples that represent the extremes: on the one hand "Summertime" by Patricia Barber where the difference between NAS and Tidal is most audible: the sound performance of the contrabass and and the general sound atmosphere is in strongly favour of the NAS (the same can be said for some pieces by Antonio Forcione or Keith Jarret). On the other hand hits of the moment such as "Cheerleader" or "Ain't Nobody" where the differences are quite modest if not imperceptible.

Cheers

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

As you have found, the sound quality of Tidal stuff can very dramatically, whether it's different masters of what, I don't know. We had a lot of fun in Beta testing, and like you I find the ability to add Tidal tracks to the upnp queue very clever. There is hardly any pause when it changes over, and the fact that you don't need a separate app is great. It's just a shame that the music choice is so limited, but hey, it's a step in the right direction, and a big step at that.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by ChrisSU

The arrival of Tidal today coincides nicely with the death of my Unitiserve, so at least I'll have plenty to listen to while it goes back to the dealer to be fixed! Regarding sound quality, I agree with the comment that the bass can be a bit more 'boomy' on Tidal than UPnP, and I think SQ is generally a little bit below UPnP/CD rip level. During beta testing I had put this down to the fact that I'm playing UPnP over a wired Ethernet connection, whereas web streaming is via a wireless leg which might not be helping it.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by MartinKocurek

I cannot login TIDAL. I got error message USER IS NOT ALLOWED ON PREMIUM ACCOUNT.

what I am doing not right. I have userID on Tidal already, but do not pay now. shoudl I first subscribe but they will not charge?? or what should I do?

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by MartinKocurek

no one who can help?

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Phil Harris

Originally Posted by MartinKocurek:

I cannot login TIDAL. I got error message USER IS NOT ALLOWED ON PREMIUM ACCOUNT.

what I am doing not right. I have userID on Tidal already, but do not pay now. shoudl I first subscribe but they will not charge?? or what should I do?

Hi,

The free 90 days 'promo' is only for new accounts ...

Phil Harris

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by LeeTom

Enjoying this update immensely - cheers Mr. Harris.

The sound is noticeably better than using Deezer Elite from a Sonos Connect into an input on my NDX. The sound quality is on par with my CD rips, and the integration with the naim app is fantastic.

Give us some more (read smaller) mu-so speaker options and a Mac OS X control app and my significant other will gladly ditch the Sonos gear around the house.

And while I'm daydreaming, here's hoping that Tidal will offer a cheaper rate if you prepay for a year, as Deezer does...

Regards

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

You need to log out of your old account, close down the app, reopen the app and create a new Tidal account using a new email address via the Naim app.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by MartinKocurek

I see. Thanks

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Jumping Jack

You can just copy the code supplied by naim, go to your existing Tidal-account, choose voucher and enter the code. No need for a new account.

phil, the release-notes clearly state that the 90 days free are for new and existing subscriptions.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Bart

Originally Posted by Jumping Jack:

You can just copy the code supplied by naim, go to your existing Tidal-account, choose voucher and enter the code. No need for a new account.

phil, the release-notes clearly state that the 90 days free are for new and existing subscriptions.

Where will I find the code (when I get home this evening and install the update)?

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Jumping Jack

After updating, in the naim-app you have to log in to Tidal. Select the 'create an account' option. This will lead you to a webpage by Naim that had the code there. Just copy it, go to your existing Tidal account and enger it on the 'voucher' page of your accountsettings...

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by MartinKocurek

This was not working for me. Invalid code message :-( so i have created new account for 90 days of testing

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Pallie

Originally Posted by MartinKocurek:

This was not working for me. Invalid code message :-( so i have created new account for 90 days of testing

For me too, redeem code is not valid. What to do now?

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by phosphocreatine

Originally Posted by ChrisSU:

I agree with the comment that the bass can be a bit more 'boomy' on Tidal than UPnP, and I think SQ is generally a little bit below UPnP/CD rip level. During beta testing I had put this down to the fact that I'm playing UPnP over a wired Ethernet connection, whereas web streaming is via a wireless leg which might not be helping it.

Hi Chris !

I do not use wireless at home (apart for IPads and IPhone) and still noticed sq differences between UPNP and Tidal but ..... maybe with all the new Naim subscribers the servers are busy at Tidal

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by LarsDK

Just installed on my NDS. Easy process and tidal integrations looks great! Well done Naim, Lars

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Chag...

Tidal integration support aside, the fundamental question is I believe whether and how 4.4 should affect SQ of our cherished network players. Any idea?

Chag -

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by phosphocreatine

With the last firmware upgrade I found that apart from DSD also the sound quality had bettered. This time I don't hear any difference.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Mike-B

If you have 4.3, then its the same, it maybe/might be a little better in detailing, but its hard to tell for sure as memories of the old v4.3 are soon lost.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Chag...

Originally Posted by Mike-B:

If you have 4.3, then its the same, it maybe/might be a little better in detailing, but its hard to tell for sure as memories of the old v4.3 are soon lost.

Thanks Mike.

It would be interesting to know update requirements and Team original intent.

Chag -

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Originally Posted by MartinKocurek:

This was not working for me. Invalid code message :-( so i have created new account for 90 days of testing

I just put my code into my existing Tidal hifi subscription screen on my web tidal access under the voucher logo , and three free months added, next payment confirmed 10/1/16

so I can keep my existing account with all my playlist favourites. Excellent :-)

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by KRM

Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Originally Posted by MartinKocurek:

This was not working for me. Invalid code message :-( so i have created new account for 90 days of testing

I just put my code into my existing Tidal hifi subscription screen on my web tidal access under the voucher logo , and three free months added, next payment confirmed 10/1/16

so I can keep my existing account with all my playlist favourites. Excellent :-)

Hi Simon,

So, same password, different email address and you kept any playlists and favourites?

Keith

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by phosphocreatine

Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

I just put my code into my existing Tidal hifi subscription screen on my web tidal access under the voucher logo , and three free months added, next payment confirmed 10/1/16

so I can keep my existing account with all my playlist favourites. Excellent :-)

Thanks Simon it worked just flawlessly !

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by phosphocreatine

Originally Posted by KRM:

Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Originally Posted by MartinKocurek:

This was not working for me. Invalid code message :-( so i have created new account for 90 days of testing

I just put my code into my existing Tidal hifi subscription screen on my web tidal access under the voucher logo , and three free months added, next payment confirmed 10/1/16

so I can keep my existing account with all my playlist favourites. Excellent :-)

Hi Simon,

So, same password, different email address and you kept any playlists and favourites?

Keith

I used the same mail of my existing account as Simon suggested

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by KRM

Originally Posted by phosphocreatine:

Originally Posted by KRM:

Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Originally Posted by MartinKocurek:

This was not working for me. Invalid code message :-( so i have created new account for 90 days of testing

I just put my code into my existing Tidal hifi subscription screen on my web tidal access under the voucher logo , and three free months added, next payment confirmed 10/1/16

so I can keep my existing account with all my playlist favourites. Excellent :-)

Hi Simon,

So, same password, different email address and you kept any playlists and favourites?

Keith

I used the same mail of my existing account as Simon suggested

Thanks, although using same email address contradicts what Naim told me. Hopefully, it will all be clarified soon.

Keith

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by phosphocreatine

I have read what Phil has written, but I can assure you it works; the only thing is you have to have a "running" Tidal account (In my case I reactivated the account and then used the voucher that I found on the Naim site)