Hi Naim friends
I am a complete novice when it comes to streaming and usually a die hard LP and secondly CD listener.
Out of curiosity I signed up for a free trial of Tidal, initially just to see how good the available catalogue is and whether it would work without glitch over my cable broadband wireless connection.
My set up for this trial is very rudimentary just as a taster. I am using a laptop with Windows 10, downloaded the Tidal desktop app, signed up for Tidal HiFi. I dont have a DAC at the moment so I am connecting to my NAC 202 via the lower fi headphone output of my laptop ( yes I know!) Although my laptop has something called IDT High Definition Audio Codec?
I have been listening all weekend and as I write and have been pleasantly surprised with what I'm hearing. There have been no issues, buffering etc, over the WiFi and sound quality is quite listenable, although I have found recording quality to be more critical, but on decent material the SQ has been good, with musicality and no listening fatigue.
I found I have really enjoyed searching out new and old favourites and think I may potentially be a streaming convert.
So a few very basic questions if anyone would mind taking the trouble;
Tidal HiFi claims to be CD quality but I have found the SQ to fall a little short of the same music played from CD ( using the laptops cd drive to ensure same signal path). The stream sounds a little lighter and less detailed than the same music from CD which sounds fuller with more dynamic and deeper bass. The stream is still involving and musical and stands alone well until a direct comparison is made.
Does the Tidal app show anywhere the actual resolution of the stream being played?
How can I be sure I am hearing the stream in full CD quality, the comparison between stream and CD shows a significant difference in HiFi terms if less so on musical terms.
Is there any difference in SQ between web player and app?
I know my analogue connection could be better, any suggestions for an inexpensive USB dac. It will need to be a budget model for now as I am unemployed, one of the reasons for checking out the free trial.
Any other suggestions to ensure I'm getting the best SQ within my rudimentary limitations.
Posted on: 07 August 2017 by ChrisSU
A couple of things to try just for starters. When you sign up for Tidal HiFi, you are paying (double) for lossless FLAC. Sometimes in the 'Quality' section of Tidal settings, HiFi quality is not enabled by default, so that you don't get what you pay for, so you could check this, just in case. Also, some albums are not available in lossless at all, so you only get a lossy AAC stream. That aside, I find the sound quality of Tidal to be OK, but not as good as streaming from my own CD rips on a NAS.
For a good low cost USB DAC I would recommend an Audioquest Dragonfly. The current models sound excellent with computers and phones.
Posted on: 08 August 2017 by Dreadatthecontrols
Thank you both,
I will have a look at the quality settings and check. I notice when playing any music on the desktop app, the bar along the bottom of the screen to the right displays HiFi and I can click and change it to the two other lesser quality streams, eg "Normal".
I assume that although the stream Is claimed to be CD quality (16/44), I guess the actual SQ will be dependant on the resolution of the file provided by the record company which might be lower. Some DACs I see will display the actual resolution but is there anywhere on the Tidal app that displays that information for the music currently playing.
Thanks for the DAC suggestions, both of which I am considering.
I am used to listening mainly to vinyl on an LP12, Cirkus/Trampolin2, Ekos/Dynavector 17D3/Prefix/Hicap/Lingo 3
Secondary source is CD3.5/Flatcap
The rest is Nac202/Napsc/Hicap DR/Ixo/2xNap 90/Allae
Early reviews of the Dragonfly suggested it does exhibit a hard edged sound, maybe later versions have tamed that I dont know. My system is quite forward and upfront sounding already and I wonder that the Dragonfly might tip the balance.
I like what I have read about the Meridien, but don't often find Meridien components mixed with Naim. Maybe they don't have synergy with Naim products. That said I like that the explorer is said to have a refined, smooth and detailed sound albeit a bit laid back. This might be less of a culture shock in my system alongside my LP12.
I will have to try and demo these if I can find a dealer willing to let me have one on home demo sale or return at this low price.
Posted on: 09 August 2017 by Dave***t
I will have to try and demo these if I can find a dealer willing to let me have one on home demo sale or return at this low price.
If you're in the UK, don't forget that you have a statutory right to return mail order goods within 14 days of receipt for a full refund (aside from postage cost).
I think Amazon sell both of the DACs in question, and a quick Google showed that the Russ Andrews site specifically mentions the return within 14 days thing on its listing for the Meridian. Don't think the latter carries the Dragonfly though.
PS, returning items may depend on the packaging being undamaged, I'm not sure. So as long as they're in eg a box it should be ok. But if they come in those plastic packages that you have to cut open to get into, it could be a different story. You'd have to check for yourself.
Posted on: 09 August 2017 by Dreadatthecontrols
Thanks Dave, yes I am aware of the consumer rights. in this area the Consumer Rights Act applies and whilst your correct that there is a right to return goods within 14 days, unless the goods are of unsatisfactory quality, ie faulty or not fit for purpose or as described then the consumer usually is liable for the return postage. Not such a big deal on a small item like a portable DAC, but as you suggest retailers can under the legislation make a deduction if the value of the goods has reduced due to being used, packaging opened etc.
Anyway I digress.
My usual dealer does not support Meridien but a reputable dealer via Amazon have the Exporer2 at £129 and I have contacted them to see if they will do a sale or return.
Have you heard the Explorer2 in the context of a Naim system?
Posted on: 14 August 2017 by Dreadatthecontrols
Well I had an Exporer2 delivered on Friday and have been listening to Tidal HiFi and MQA streams all weekend.
I think I'm a convert! The HiFi streams on good recordings are very listenable and MQA is on another level altogether. Being a long time vinyl listener I have always tended to find digital a bit hard and fatiguing to listen too but the higher resolution of the MQA and the smooth and refined sound of the Explorer2 are a winner. I have listened solidly to the Tidal/Explorer2 combination and found myself listening to album after album and delving into the catalogue for both surprises and the familiar in much the same way as I can be drawn into extended listening sessions from my LP12.
I dont have a point of reference for the Explorer2 to compare but at the price its a keeper.
