Are people getting sick of streaming services...

[ahofer]

So this morning we started with Hilary Hahn playing Bach Violin Partitas (Decca) and now I'm getting Mussorgsky's 'Night on Bald Mountain' (DG - Salonen, LA Philharmonic).

 

[ahofer]

I wish he'd been at the Ryan Corbett recital I went to in Bristol recently - I had no appreciation of the technical skill and physicality needed to perform on the instrument. Has to be seen to be believed, but that is going rather off topic.

I'm sure that's true. I just don't like the sound of it, especially playing things I know well by other instrumentation.

Wodehouse throws shade on a lot of modern instruments - Jeeves is constantly gambling away Wooster's banjos, etc.

 

[Haskil]

I subscribe to Qobuz, Apple Classic and Tidal (recently) for professional reasons: I am a music critic.

I use Roon, Audirvana, Itunes.

I'm on Mac and PC.

I deactivate all the options automatically linking a song after listening to a record that I have chosen to listen to: they are all useless on streaming platforms as they are on Roon and Audirvana.

Precision: I listen to 99% classical music.
I really appreciate streaming, which allows me to listen to the new releases that are put online every week, but I find that the metadata visible on streaming platforms is sinfully mediocre: it's even hellishly mediocre. As well as their search tools...

Note that Qobuz and Classic from Apple give the content of the booklets (but not systematically even though they exist) and not Tidal which is a tragic error on the part of this platform.

Roon's writing on artists ranges from just decent to mediocre and even very bad.

The big problem with streaming comes from bad and sometimes absent metadata provided by publishers who don't care...

Qobuz has moved to DSD and DXD: which is of no interest... They would do better to implement UpnP-DLNA, to wage war on publishers and integrators so that they provide correct metadata showing the name of the composer, the name of the real performers track by track, the recording date, to systematically provide the PDF of the booklet and to improve their search tool...

 

[ahofer]

I subscribe to Qobuz, Apple Classic and Tidal (recently) for professional reasons: I am a music critic.

I use Roon, Audirvana, Itunes.

I'm on Mac and PC.

I deactivate all the options automatically linking a song after listening to a record that I have chosen to listen to: they are all useless on streaming platforms as they are on Roon and Audirvana.

Precision: I listen to 99% classical music.
I really appreciate streaming, which allows me to listen to the new releases that are put online every week, but I find that the metadata visible on streaming platforms is sinfully mediocre: it's even hellishly mediocre. As well as their search tools...

Note that Qobuz and Classic from Apple give the content of the booklets (but not systematically even though they exist) and not Tidal which is a tragic error on the part of this platform.

Roon's writing on artists ranges from just decent to mediocre and even very bad.

The big problem with streaming comes from bad and sometimes absent metadata provided by publishers who don't care...

Qobuz has moved to DSD and DXD: which is of no interest... They would do better to implement UpnP-DLNA, to wage war on publishers and integrators so that they provide correct metadata showing the name of the composer, the name of the real performers track by track, the recording date, to systematically provide the PDF of the booklet and to improve their search tool...

Have you tried Idagio? Much better classical platform, IMO.

 

[Mart68]

This sums it up for me too.
I have a collection of CDs that I occasionally enjoy playing, but I often feel a bit silly afterward, realizing I could have just streamed the album on Spotify instead. It's pure nostalgia driving me in these moments.

In my case it isn't nostalgia since I grew up with vinyl and still think of CD as 'new-fangled' and futuristic.

I've no interest in messing about with a computer just to play some music. Nor in paying a monthly subscription, nor in scrolling down screens to select something to play, or not being able to choose the mastering.

Of course there will never be a mass-movement away from streaming but then there will never be a mass-movement towards owning high quality playback equipment either. What the 'masses' are doing isn't really relevant to this hobby.

There's logical reasons for staying with physical media, which apply to at least some people.

 

[Down South]

When there is only streaming left with no other choice what do you think will happen to subscription costs?

 

[Old_School_Brad]

In my case it isn't nostalgia since I grew up with vinyl and still think of CD as 'new-fangled' and futuristic.

I've no interest in messing about with a computer just to play some music. Nor in paying a monthly subscription, nor in scrolling down screens to select something to play, or not being able to choose the mastering.

Of course there will never be a mass-movement away from streaming but then there will never be a mass-movement towards owning high quality playback equipment either. What the 'masses' are doing isn't really relevant to this hobby.

There's logical reasons for staying with physical media, which apply to at least some people.

Of course. I would never try to convince you or anyone else that they are wrong since it’s entirely a matter of personal preference.

 

[chervokas]

I'm not using any streaming app (but youtube, but the free version and very rarely), but i see many in my envirroment closing their spotify or even tidal account and going back to owning music. They are sick of the algoritmes that determine what music they should listen to, and want to go back to active choosing and owning their music. I notice it because many ask how i do that and want advice to set up a system like mine (NAS server with media feeding computers connected to hifi systems arround my house over wifi or lan).

In the press, local and international i see also editorals telling the same story...

Why I Finally Quit Spotify

The platform interface has gradually made it harder to find the music I want to listen to. With the latest app updates, I’d had enough.

www.newyorker.com

I see the same on social media (and left it largely for that), AI wants to push things so hard it becomes a dealbreaker for the media. It's also one of the reason i think what drive youngsters to owning physica media (like vinyl). What are your experiences on that?

Algorithms don't necessarily determine what you listen to on a streaming service. You can just log on to your Spotify or Tidal or Apple Music or Qobuz, search for the title you want to play, and press play. Users have choice about how they select the music on these services. FWIW, there's no indication that net subscriber growth of streaming services has turned negative. Sector leader Spotify had a 12% increase in paid subscribers in Q3 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

[ahofer]

"Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded" - Yogi Berra

 

[Vive la dissonance!]

I've collected several thousand CDs—also SACDs, DVDs, and BrDs—over the years, the overwhelming majority of which I've kept and listen to often (right now, in fact.)

My primary listening is classical, so for me most of the big commercial streaming services are frustrating and in the end a big fat no.

But then I discovered Presto Music's streaming service (exclusively classical and jazz), and that is working for me. Their search algorithms aren't perfect, but they are geared towards how classical listeners find music, their catalog is very deep indeed, most of the albums include digital program booklets, every track is at least CD quality, and their payouts for royalties are much better than average, and so for me it's working. I am pleased.

But I still buy physical discs when I really like something.

 

[whataboutmusic]

Physical media may have its own process because you actually interacting with the cd or the vinyl...you research and spent time to buy the actual stuff you are going to listen to....and in the end some may find the whole cover art and put the disk in the player like a ritual....but....

How can someone get sick of streaming services? you literally have all the music in the world a click away...and an application designed to offer you more of what you like. Except if you make the mistake to click one time on the wrong title at tidal...then it assumes you are into gangster rap for the rest of your life lol.

I think that streaming services offering a very good opportunity for unlimited access to everyone...it is up to the individual to either use the catalog to the maximum or just rely on the algorithm.

Cheers

 

[MattHooper]

I've no interest in messing about with a computer just to play some music.

Same here. I’m on my desktop computer working all day and when I take a break, I don’t wanna have to keep using computers.

For me the most repulsive way of interacting with music is a laptop. I don’t like laptops to begin with, but whenever I go to a friend who streams, controlling via his laptop and I use it, it’s just…yuck! Sort of like the ugliest remote of all time.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Physical media may have its own process because you actually interacting with the cd or the vinyl...you research and spent time to buy the actual stuff you are going to listen to....and in the end some may find the whole cover art and put the disk in the player like a ritual....but....

How can someone get sick of streaming services? you literally have all the music in the world a click away...and an application designed to offer you more of what you like. Except if you make the mistake to click one time on the wrong title at tidal...then it assumes you are into gangster rap for the rest of your life lol.

I think that streaming services offering a very good opportunity for unlimited access to everyone...it is up to the individual to either use the catalog to the maximum or just rely on the algorithm.

Cheers

I used to be frustrated with constantly needing my phone to select music or adjust the volume. The main reason I bought the Wiim Pro Plus was for its Bluetooth remote control, which allows me to select my favorite Spotify playlists with the press of a button. I can even control the volume while the device is tucked away in my closet -no screen needed. I dislike staring at screens when listening to music, so I can empathize with those who are turned off by streaming if that’s their perception of how it works. However, it can be set up in a way that eliminates the need for screens altogether.

That said, I completely agree -how could anyone tire of streaming services when they offer access to virtually all the music in the world?

 

[thegeton]

Even shopping malls may come back in style again.

Gad Zooks! Step outside and shower yourself off with the garden hose. Those words should never be spoken aloud.

 

[Mart68]

Same here. I’m on my desktop computer working all day and when I take a break, I don’t wanna have to keep using computers.

For me the most repulsive way of interacting with music is a laptop. I don’t like laptops to begin with, but whenever I go to a friend who streams, controlling via his laptop and I use it, it’s just…yuck! Sort of like the ugliest remote of all time.

If I go to someone's place and they say 'put some music on' and hand me an iPad - I'm lost, my mind always goes blank. Now if they pointed to shelves or vinyl no problemo - I'll browse along and select something.

Not an age thing as I know people a fair bit older who think streaming is the best thing since sliced bread. But not for me.

 

[Mart68]

That said, I completely agree -how could anyone tire of streaming services when they offer access to virtually all the music in the world?

I have that. If there's a CD I want I just go on the internet and order it. Takes a few days or a week to arrive that's true, but it is still 'access.'

I like instant gratification as much as the next man, don't get me wrong, but I find a wait and a physical object at the end of it makes it a bit more special.

 

[olieb]

If there's a CD I want I just go on the internet and order it.

Sure, no problem to solve THIS problem (though it can get costly).
But how do you know, that you want it? Or that you do not want it?
That are the questions streaming solves for me, I just click and listen.

 

[MattHooper]

If I go to someone's place and they say 'put some music on' and hand me an iPad - I'm lost, my mind always goes blank. Now if they pointed to shelves or vinyl no problemo - I'll browse along and select something.

Exactly. Suddenly you have to learn a new type of software just to navigate music. I’m usually lost for a while and somebody else’s place if they hand me their laptop to navigate their music via whatever streaming service they’re using.

I used to be frustrated with constantly needing my phone to select music or adjust the volume. The main reason I bought the Wiim Pro Plus was for its Bluetooth remote control, which allows me to select my favorite Spotify playlists with the press of a button. I can even control the volume while the device is tucked away in my closet -no screen needed.

I went even further in an effort to unplug from digital on/line life when using my two channel stereo system, in regards to the remote control.

I had a remote control custom-made out of an exotic wood, ergonomically shaped for use sitting beside me on the sofa while I’m listening, with a nice big volume knob. I prefer operating a knob than little buttons on a remote, or digital sliders, etc.

The volume knob has a number of programmable features; I can mute or dim the sound with the press of the knob, or I can choose to operate different components, different preamps in my rack. I can select sources. And all the commands are indicated via an LED ring around the knob which lights up different colours based on the commands. Hugely satisfied with it.

 

[Purité Audio]

Don’t let Frank Dernie see that.
Keith

 

[Robin L]

I have that. If there's a CD I want I just go on the internet and order it. Takes a few days or a week to arrive that's true, but it is still 'access.'

I like instant gratification as much as the next man, don't get me wrong, but I find a wait and a physical object at the end of it makes it a bit more special.

For me the issue is that most of what I want to hear is simply not available in a physical format. I still have CDs, plenty of them, but my current default is streaming. I'm currently listening to Charles Rosen performing Schubert's 20th piano sonata, A major D959. As far as I can tell this recording never made it to CD. There are other CDs, like the Blandine Verlet series of the Couperins on Astree that are priced far out of my league - Amazon has a Louis Couperin recording for which the vendor is asking $1005.00. I can stream that recording any time I want to. As I really don't have any more room for CDs there's nothing special about having the recording as a physical object.