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I am utterly confused about this topic. I am doing the 30-day free trial of Tidal lossless. However, I am hearing completely different takes on whether you can simply plug your headphones into the headphone jack of a smartphone (in my case, Galaxy S4) or desktop/laptop and actually GET lossless quality. Something to do with needing a DAC converter, or a "good" (whatever that means) DAC converter to take full advantage of the quality. Is this true?
Here is an example of an article which says that plugging your headphones into your smartphone headphone jack will NOT get you lossless quality:
Every laptop and smartphone has something called a DAC (a digital to analog converter) that takes the computer stuff (to use a technical term) and converts it into something the human ear can hear. The DACs that come with your computer and/or phone just aren’t good enough to take advantage of a higher quality stream. To do that, you need to bypass the internal DAC (via USB, for example) on your machine and run the signal through an external DAC (either a standalone or one that’s integrated into an AMP and/or receiver).
If this is the case, has listening to ALACs (iPhone) and FLACs (other phones) been a waste of time, or is this just a streaming problem?
Post subject: Re: Lossless streaming (Tidal) and DACs
Posted: Fri April 03, 2015 8:13 pm
Poster of the Year
Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 2:04 pm Posts: 37156 Location: September 2020 Poster of the Month
In simple terms, the better the equipment the better the sound. To take full advantage of your lossless music you want to be listening on good equipment, and your phone and laptop aren't really going to qualify on their own.
With that said, when I listen to a good pair of headphones plugged into my laptop, I definitely prefer the lossless files over the mp3s. But on my phone, I don't usually use my good headphones. They're either a cheaper, more portable set, or listening through a small bluetooth speaker. Either way, in that case I just stick with the mp3s.
What you should do is try Tidal lossless and Tidal lossy and listen to them with your headphones of choice on your phone. If you can hear a difference and it's worth it, get the lossless. If not, fuck it.
Post subject: Re: Lossless streaming (Tidal) and DACs
Posted: Mon January 11, 2021 11:45 pm
NYUCK NYUCK NYUCK
Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 3:35 pm Posts: 32290 Location: Buenos Aires
I signed up for a 4-month trial period for Tidal. I like it so far. The difference in streaming quality is certainly noticeable. I also like that the UI is a carbon copy of Spotify's. I'll keep everybody posted!
Post subject: Re: Lossless streaming (Tidal) and DACs
Posted: Tue January 12, 2021 1:05 am
Production Police
Joined: Tue September 24, 2013 5:56 pm Posts: 47163 Location: In the oatmeal aisle wearing a Shellac shirt
Jorge wrote:
I signed up for a 4-month trial period for Tidal. I like it so far. The difference in streaming quality is certainly noticeable. I also like that the UI is a carbon copy of Spotify's. I'll keep everybody posted!
Post subject: Re: Lossless streaming (Tidal) and DACs
Posted: Thu March 14, 2024 1:43 pm
Production Police
Joined: Tue September 24, 2013 5:56 pm Posts: 47163 Location: In the oatmeal aisle wearing a Shellac shirt
spike wrote:
I’m giving Tidal Hifi Plus a free trial run.
What’s your setup.
So many people don’t understand if you’re streaming via Bluetooth from your phone or laptop, without a good DAC output, you’re not getting any benefits of high res digital
Post subject: Re: Lossless streaming (Tidal) and DACs
Posted: Thu March 14, 2024 7:14 pm
The Master
Joined: Wed January 02, 2013 4:18 am Posts: 28165
tragabigzanda wrote:
spike wrote:
I’m giving Tidal Hifi Plus a free trial run.
What’s your setup.
So many people don’t understand if you’re streaming via Bluetooth from your phone or laptop, without a good DAC output, you’re not getting any benefits of high res digital
yeah i'm bluetoothing from my phone to the car or phone/laptop to earbuds
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