Best Streaming Service?

[ksrigg]

I've recently been trying out various music streaming services, and right now I'm using Google Play's service which is going to be $9.99 a month after the free 30 day trial. Question is, what is the best service? Do any of the streaming services have better sound quality than any others? Play seems to have a ton of music, and it is all free to download, stream, and stuff. but I'm trying to find the best SOUND QUALITY in addition to being able to stream stuff. I have found a bunch of new music this way, and enjoy it, but I am hooked on the high resolution stuff. Should I go to a different service and download rather than stream? What is everyone else doing? Thanks for any suggestions...

Spotify?

Amazon?

Google Play?

iTunes?

 

[jbeckva]

Spotify has my vote. With the paid version, 320K streaming. Not sure what codec tho. Get a GOOD DAC or soundcard, if you haven't already. That itself makes a whole hell of a difference.

 

[Dazen1]

I am happy using Spotify.

The SQ works for me, although my primary source of listening is still CD.

You may want to check out Tidal.

 

[BlazeES]

Amazon is cool because if you have Prime, you can stream a good deal of what you've purchased as physical disc + they have that cloud thingy for the rest of your library, if you are so inclined. Picked up an Amazon Fire TV recently and it shows a good swag of many of the discs I bought over the years in the music category, ready to play at the touch of a button ...

256kbps max IIRC

 

[ksrigg]

I've been pretty happy with Google Play for the most part. I also downloaded the app for Amazon Prime (as I am a member). I guess I'll ned to try TIDAL sometime, as I have read it has the highest bitrates, but it also requires Foxfire to download, as Chrome won't handle the bandwidth.. Ultimately I am going to have to go with a much better DAC, as I don't think the Nexus 7 can cut it, but I still have to research more. I have been very surprised at Google's ability to zero in on what I really like. I haven't' found that to be the case with Amazon.

Thanks for the answers and keep your observations coming...

I wish Apple would get on the ball with Beats, and streaming...through iTunes....

 

[laatsch55]

That's because Google knows wayyyyyyyyyyy to much about you....

 

[ksrigg]

You got that right. I think they know pretty much WAY MORE about me that I wish they did. Thing is, I don't know that anybody is going to be taking note.

 

[Gepetto]

You got that right. I think they know pretty much WAY MORE about me that I wish they did. Thing is, I don't know that anybody is going to be taking note.

Until it is too late...

 

[ksrigg]

Watch "Citizen Four", the documentary of Mr. Snowden. Pretty scary stuff..

What DAC could I use with a Nexus 7 or similar device? I am now just using the streaming service, and go straight to the preamp and amp. What would be a better way to get the benefit of higher resolution? Jer, I think you are into this..