If you're concerned primarily about sound quality, I'd keep the CDP.
Not anymore... a few years ago, I’d have agreed.
If you're concerned primarily about sound quality, I'd keep the CDP.
I use Amazon Prime for shopping and whatever it brings. I will continue to subscribe to Tidal and Qobuz and really hope they both survive. Having ‘liked’ the Spotify hi-res idea I’m kinda glad they don’t since they’d kill Tidal and Qobuz within weeks, regardless of Amazon.
Roon would like to integrate with Amazon but say they have received absolutely no cooperation. Same with J River. I think Linn have had the same experience too. Check out the relevant forums. It’s not that these companies can’t integrate - they probably know more about streaming than Amazon - it’s that Amazon won’t collaborate. So all I’m saying is be aware that the market is changing and don’t spend a lot of money on an inflexible streaming solution that might not be around long term. I wouldn’t be too sure about Tidals profit given that they have been under investigation for fraud. Of course it may well be that Amazon HD will fail - it’s a waste of time for Echo type devices, the app is dreadful on PCs as it offers no way of organising your favourites, and can’t pass audio through the windows mixer unmolested. But they’ve 55 million subscribers to their free service, so what do I know.The price for entry to Amazon's music streaming service is Alexa integration. I cannot comment on JRiver, but Roon, Linn, Naim and Innuos could all do this, if they wanted. Auralic is already working on it. Amazon does indeed have huge resources. Anyone who is at all concerned about this should shop elsewhere or subscribe to a different music streaming service. It's entirely your choice.
Were you using the internal DAC of the Bluesound?I'm using a 2014 mac mini headless with audirvana - usb out to a khadas DAC. Mac was from eBay . All up around £400. Had the opportunity last week to try the latest Bluesound streamer. Really liked the convenience and connectivity. Could not live with the sound . Huge quality drop. Dynamics, image, details- you name it. Really surprised as i wanted to move the mac on and just have a box.
For now i will stick with the mac for flexibility and see how streaming pans out . For now Qobuz is my preference as a service , but would switch to Amazon if i could run it via Audirvana/ Roon .
Yes . Bluesound direct to pre amp. Did not compare to CD as i hardly play CDs at the mo.Were you using the internal DAC of the Bluesound?
Ok - in which case I'm not surprised you noticed a difference.Yes . Bluesound direct to pre amp.
Roon would like to integrate with Amazon but say they have received absolutely no cooperation. Same with J River. I think Linn have had the same experience too. Check out the relevant forums. It’s not that these companies can’t integrate - they probably know more about streaming than Amazon - it’s that Amazon won’t collaborate. So all I’m saying is be aware that the market is changing and don’t spend a lot of money on an inflexible streaming solution that might not be around long term. I wouldn’t be too sure about Tidals profit given that they have been under investigation for fraud. Of course it may well be that Amazon HD will fail - it’s a waste of time for Echo type devices, the app is dreadful on PCs as it offers no way of organising your favourites, and can’t pass audio through the windows mixer unmolested. But they’ve 55 million subscribers to their free service, so what do I know.
That’s what I do, and would suggest people consider. Doesn’t need to be a laptop, could be a NUC, a fanless thing, a Mac, anything general purpose. I use a little dedicated laptop, and I’ve been able to keep up with whatever the industry came up with immediately. For example when Qobuz came out I was into it the next day. Same with Tidal. It took years for streamer manufacturers like Linn and Naim to catch up. When Amazon HD came out, I tried it the same day. Most streamer manufacturers show no signs of adopting it. Same with iTunes. I can use things like Dirac, or HQPlayer. It may well be that with voice activated services like Spotify and Amazon we will be stuck with their proprietary endpoints like the Echo because of the need for a microphone. So, keep it flexible is my advice. There is every danger that Qobuz and Tidal will vanish. They’ve had to reduce their prices to cope with Amazon, they’ve done nothing significant to improve the quality of their app for years, and they are at the mercy of the suits at Sony and Warner over licensing agreements. Enjoy them while they last!If you are concerned just use your laptop.
Keith