Nick Lewis has been using computers for 20 years. Nick Lewis has used computers for over 20 years, experimenting with the UI and Windows Registry to firmware on devices. He was a free-lance programmer using Python and C++ before he joined How-To Geek. Nick used Fortran extensively in college while working towards a degree in physics. Nick loves to tinker with computers.
Nick is not just a computer geek. Since more than 10 year, he has run video game servers at home using Windows, Ubuntu or Raspberry Pi OS. Proxmox is used to host a number of different services including NextCloud and two Windows Virtual Machines.
His favorite DIY project is technology-related. He is always repairing and recycling old hardware and computers for new projects. From the initial design all the way to the PCB, he has created crossovers for his homemade speakers. Nick is an outdoor enthusiast. He is often found backpacking or camping when he’s not working on his computer or a DIY project. Spotify has recently added lossless streaming. This should be a big win for audiophiles. Spotify’s option for lossless streaming hasn’t impressed me. Spotify has been slow to adopt lossless streaming, but other services offer it since years. Qobuz has long been one of my favorites.
How does Spotify’s lossless audio sound? Spotify’s lossless streaming and download option is 24-bit audio at a sampling rate of 44.1/KHz. The difference between the two options was obvious when I compared them. As I increased the quality, the difference became less pronounced. I think the limitations were more the songs than 24-bit/44KHz.
What does sample rate and bitdepth mean? The bit depth, or in this instance, 24 bits, is what you need to listen to music. It tells the difference between loud and quiet. The 24-bit difference is 144 decibels. This usually suffices, as you’re unlikely to hear a song with more. Sample rate is the number of times a sound was sampled in a second. A sample rate of 44,100 Hz is equivalent to 44,100 sounds per second. According to a general rule, you can only record sounds up to half the sample rate. A 44.1KHz audio recording, for example, could include sound frequencies as high as 22KHz. This is well above the normal hearing limit. Although ultra-high sampling rates, such as 192KHz, might not immediately benefit your listening experience it is a helpful tool for audio engineers who have to convert raw recordings to finished products.
Qobuz provides higher-quality audio
Qobuz provides higher-quality audio
Spotify’s lossless mode is a great step up, but Qobuz can offer audio as high as 24-bit/192KHz. It’s debatable whether or not you will ever need such a high sample rate, and bit depth. But it’s nice to know that the option is there if you choose it. Many people are convinced that they can tell the difference. If it makes music sound better, then what is the harm?
Qobuz costs more than Spotify. Qobuz plans are about the same price as Spotify plans. The Sublime plan, however, offers a discount for music that you can purchase and keep for life. Qobuz offers annual subscriptions a discount that makes it cheaper than Spotify.
Solo,
Duet
Family
Student
Qobuz.
12
17
20
6
Qobuz.
13 ($10.83 annuallly),
18 ($15 annually),
21 ($18 annually),
Qobuz allows you to own your music.
Their slightly higher priced plans are the main selling points for me. You can save up to 60% on DRM-free lossless audio files that you will own for life if you choose the opt in option. This 60% off is a pretty big deal. Lossless music is available anywhere from $10 to $50 an album. It’s not as expensive as vinyl, but it adds up if you purchase regularly. Once you purchase it
you can keep it. It can be put on a disc and played in a CD-player. It is possible to back up the album on a computer and store it safely for future use. The album belongs to you unless the files are deleted.
It’s important to own your music
Physical media such as CDs, cassettes and vinyl records have seen a surge in recent years. It’s partly nostalgia but also practical. Once you have a CD, or record you won’t be affected by a sudden licensing change. When I looked through my Spotify old playlists I saw more than a dozen songs that I had added. “no longer available in my region.” I tried to play any of these, but it would just skip. Spotify is not the only one to do this. Apple and Amazon both have faced controversy for similar things in the past. Apple was sued multiple times for removing things people purchased on iTunes because of changes to licensing terms. Amazon also faced class-action lawsuits regarding the removal from Prime Video.
It’s not all about lossless or hi-fi
Although you may benefit from these formats, they aren’t necessarily the best for audio quality. I would even argue that it’s not the most significant factor. A bad mix and mastering will sound the same whether it’s a version of 192KHz or 16kHz. The hi-fi version of the song will only reveal the details that are unpleasant to you. No matter where you buy or stream your music, you should take time to listen to versions that you enjoy. It’s important to pay attention to your audio gear as well as the music you choose. No matter how high-quality the audio recording, a pair of airline disposable earbuds will not sound great. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a decent amplifier or headphones. Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50X wired headphones
Audio-Technica