by phil baker
With Amazon’s big announcement that they are now streaming hi res music, there are already lots of questions about how to enjoy it on the devices you use – your phone, computer, and in the car. While some of our devices won’t be able to take full advantage of the highest res, that will change as the device makers start to catch up.
That’s the significance of what Amazon has done. By providing hi res content, users will begin looking for devices that can take advantage of Amazon’s new service, and those devices that are capable will find new customers.
The important thing to know is hi res from Amazon is nearly the same price as low res from others including Spotify and Apple, yet provides about 20X the quality.
For example, Apple streams at 256 kbps while Amazon streams at about 4000 kbps for their Ultra HD content (which is what we call hi res at 192/24). And streaming hi res has no disadvantages no matter how you listen to it with today’s fast data speeds. From our experience – we’ve been streaming more hi res than anyone – that is until Amazon joined us – hi-res will always sounds better, whatever way you listen to it.
Among the currently available phones, LG makes several models, including their V40 ThinQ, that are capable of streaming the highest resolution files from Amazon. That’s because they have all the internal circuitry that can handle Amazon’s Ultra HD (196/24). iPhones are limited to CD quality, but with an add-on DAC they, too can play the full hi res files. Check out the DACs from AudioQuest Dragonfly line that starts at $99 and the wonderful Mojo Chord DAC and amp for $479. Each of these devices can also be used with your computers to deliver the hi res sound to your stereo or headphones.
Here are a few questions being asked.
How does Amazon Ultra HD service compare with Xstream by NYA?
Both stream at the highest resolution possible. When there are adverse bandwidth issues, Xstream continuously lowers the resolution to provide the best quality possible, selecting among 15,000 levels. Amazon uses a simpler approach. Under adverse conditions, they stream a lower resolution version of the track, selecting the most appropriate speed among 3 or 4.
Both use the same open, industry standard FLAC format file and both sound the same when they are streaming the highest resolution.
How does Amazon HD service compare with Tidal Hi Res?
Amazon uses the open standard FLAC format while Tidal uses a proprietary format called MQA that is not as good as the original FLAC file, and MQA only works on licensed devices. Tidal is also more expensive, priced at $20/month.
Are there alternatives to Amazon for hi res?
Qobuz offers hi res streaming using FLAC, but is currently about twice the cost of Amazon. They offer a free trial and it’s another way to try out hi res. Because they’ve been around longer than Amazon, they’re built into more devices such as Sonos. Although it’s important to note that Sonos is limited to CD quality, much like iPhones.
Should I cancel my Apple, Spotify or Google music service and move to Amazon?
Yes, by all means. Not only will you be getting better quality music, but you’ll be sending these companies a message to follow Amazon’s lead if they want to remain competitive.