Best streaming service for older jazz & big band

Qobuz would me my suggestion to try.  They should all offer demos though.

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/in...oad-streaming-albums

Interestingly if you Google an artist it may list streaming services on which the artist is available on the right.

Many thanks Alley, looks like quite a good selection there

Arnsider posted:

..He is just about 80 now and has played the saxophone in a jazz band for donkeys years. He has enjoyed a primarily Linn based system for a long time with an LP12 and Linn amp (not sure on current speakers). Whilst chatting with him recently he says he has not used the system for some time and will likely sell the LP12. This got me thinking..... he has just recently returned to playing his sax in his band and I thought I might suggest adding a streamer instead of the LP12 as I’m sure he would enjoy this..

...Many thanks In anticipation 

Hi Arnsider, just a thought, but if he's not used his LP12 much is he listening to music much at all, even if not on his Linn system?

If he has an LP12 he may well have a large vinyl collection that would be difficult to replace, and he may find many items are not even available on streaming.

While I don't have a very high end Naim streamer, I do have a Uniti Nova which is great value with good performance, when I resurrected my LP12 (I'd mislaid the platter in storage!) however, I found in terms of enjoyment the LP12 was thoroughly more enjoyable and I started buying vinyl again.

So, I'd probably say that while a streamer may be a great idea for him, I'd advise him not to rush to get rid of the LP12/vinyl collection, but would perhaps suggest a very cheap streamer (even a Chromecast audio for £30 feeding his Linn amp via analogue or optical out) and some free or monthly trials of popular streaming services - he may find this rekindles his music interest generally and that might be a stimulus to resist the LP12.

If streaming convenience wins vs using the LP12 then you know the way to go.  He also may well be au fait with tech items, but fair to say most streaming devices will require a robust local LAN and a reasonable internet connection, as well as potentially computers/tablets/smartphones to manage accounts and streaming devices.

Streaming could be the solution, but it might also prove a valuable supplement to his existing collection.

Would be nice to hear from users of other services - I am a Qobuz user and on the whole like their service very much, but also fair to point out I have little experience with other similar services.

nothing can replace for now a good turntable to listen to your old jazz favorites, from 50’s and 60’s.  Better follow Alley Cat and not sell the turntable.

Thank you again Alley Cat and French Rooster. I have the feeling that during the time his wife became ill and subsequently since his bereavement he had lost his interest in music and is only recently that he has started back playing the sax again. 

My thought process actually mirrors both yours in respect that I was hoping to stimulate his interest back to his music via a streaming service which could/would open up a larger library for him to explore. I will encourage him to keep the LP12 and hopefully this may rekindle the fire and he would then return to use it again gradually. He is quite happy tapping on his iPad and I can sort his LAN etc.

It may turn out he is not keen, but before I broached the subject with him (I live quite a distance away) I wanted to pick your expert brains as if the library choice was limited it may not be worthwhile ..

Very much appreciated ..

 

Arnsider posted:

Thank you again Alley Cat and French Rooster. I have the feeling that during the time his wife became ill and subsequently since his bereavement he had lost his interest in music and is only recently that he has started back playing the sax again. 

My thought process actually mirrors both yours in respect that I was hoping to stimulate his interest back to his music via a streaming service which could/would open up a larger library for him to explore. I will encourage him to keep the LP12 and hopefully this may rekindle the fire and he would then return to use it again gradually. He is quite happy tapping on his iPad and I can sort his LAN etc.

It may turn out he is not keen, but before I broached the subject with him (I live quite a distance away) I wanted to pick your expert brains as if the library choice was limited it may not be worthwhile ..

Very much appreciated ..

i read more precisely the thread and i discovered that the goal is to choose a media  for a 80 years old person.   The sound quality is perhaps not the priority here, but the convenience and joy of rediscovering music.     So finally i would more choose Tidal or Qobuz.   Perhaps you can open a thread to ask which one is better for old jazz, if you go in that way.

I'm surprised Spotify hasn't been mentioned.

Keeps me, and my jazz listening group members, more than happy with its extensive coverage of all genres if the music.

Dave

dave4jazz posted:

I'm surprised Spotify hasn't been mentioned.

Keeps me, and my jazz listening group members, more than happy with its extensive coverage of all genres if the music.

Dave

The original poster mentioned Spotify specifically...

There are loads of "Big Band" Internet radio stations, so perhaps a streamer/player with Internet Radio would be a good idea, although not give you the ability to make your own selections for what is being played.

blythe posted:

dave4jazz posted:

I'm surprised Spotify hasn't been mentioned.

Keeps me, and my jazz listening group members, more than happy with its extensive coverage of all genres if the music.

Dave

The original poster mentioned Spotify specifically...

+1 for Spotify then.

Dave

Amazing what's out there on internet radio stations, things like:

http://www.1940sukradio.co.uk

dave4jazz posted:

I'm surprised Spotify hasn't been mentioned.

Keeps me, and my jazz listening group members, more than happy with its extensive coverage of all genres if the music.

Dave

Arnsider did query it, I guess those who replied before don't or haven't used Spotify so great to hear it works for you Dave.

Problem is Blythe,  where to get hold of a listing of all the Big Band stations with reasonable bit rate.  I've spent a long time surfing on my NDX's excellent Naim iRadio for Big Band, American Song Book & real Reggae but sadly most all are at a sub 128bps level.           And sod the streaming stuff,  I really like that with a specialist radio station we get someone who knows infinitely more about a genre than me/us & is taking the time to inform, educate & pass on the pleasure.     

Fair point, the Big Band stations do appear to be low bit rates but, I wonder how they "actually" sound?

blythe posted:

Fair point, the Big Band stations do appear to be low bit rates but, I wonder how they "actually" sound?

Fascinating to ponder however that good music can sound enjoyable and make you sing/dance irrespective of overall audio specs - some material really benefits from audiophile playback kit, other music just stands on its own two feet and thrills you, and that's special.

blythe posted:

Fair point, the Big Band stations do appear to be low bit rates but, I wonder how they "actually" sound?

If they sounded like an old 1940's valve/tube radio, that would be good, soft, warm, woolly & frequency limited.   Problem is they sound like any low bit rate station & it does not suit the genre;  the top brass section in particular - I'm an ex BB (brass band & big band)  trumpet/cornet player & its harsh, shrieky & painful on the ears.  

Thanks for all the above posts and suggestions. I will catch up with my uncle over Christmas so I’ll have a proper chat with him. It seems that all of the main streaming providers ie. Spotify/Tidal/Qobuz all have plenty to offer and the bonus of added internet radio stations available too. I really do think the variety on offer to him by simply tapping on his iPad will hold great appeal.

Cheers everyone ????