To Spotify or Not?

[PristineSound]

The tired old 'stone age' furphy.

There's no need to insist on the perfect—it being the enemy of the good, as apt aphorism goes. But I yes personally did give most of our Microsoft licenses the flick, and downgraded the few I can't get rid of yet to avoid their 'AI' upgrades following the MS 'AI' and Azure deployment targeting Palestinians reveal a while back. It isn't that hard to avoid things as they come up, if you give any semblance of a f*ck.

While you are there, can you run my office chair due diligence for me and check out whether Flokk are equipping IDF or AFRF offices perhaps? And why would choosing an ethical superannuation fund be beyond the pale? And so on ...

You're almost at Stoneage!

 

[Multicore]

But I have to. :<

Done. /me despotified.

 

[PristineSound]

The new DJ feature on Spotify with AI is excellent. The only thing left I would want from Spotify is ASIO or WASAPI on their Windows app.

Those aren't on Spotify are missing out in music discovery.

 

[Sal1950]

The new DJ feature on Spotify with AI is excellent. The only thing left I would want from Spotify is ASIO or WASAPI on their Windows app.
Those aren't on Spotify are missing out in music discovery.

I believe most all the streamers have a AI type program running to capture the types and styles of music you've chosen before and come up with list of like new music to offer you, I have that on Apple Music. I had Spotify for years and believe they did have the best user interface in the business. But they lagged for years to offer lossless 2ch music and still are short of ASIO or WASAPI on their Windows app.
Plus what's not on Spotify is 5.1 and Atmos multich music so you're are "missing out in music discovery".

 

[Joe Smith]

There are many of us that don't care about 5.1 or Atmos, and I still have more music discovery than I can keep up with...just sayin'

 

[PristineSound]

I believe most all the streamers have a AI type program running to capture the types and styles of music you've chosen before and come up with list of like new music to offer you, I have that on Apple Music. I had Spotify for years and believe they did have the best user interface in the business. But they lagged for years to offer lossless 2ch music and still are short of ASIO or WASAPI on their Windows app.
Plus what's not on Spotify is 5.1 and Atmos multich music so you're are "missing out in music discovery".

Qobuz has no AI, not even a simple algorithm. It is truly pathetic over at Qobuz.

I used Amazon Music sometimes ago, I can't even say they have AI, it's maybe a mildly sophisticated algorithm. It may be different now though.

On the other hand, Spotify is on a whole new level. They recently release a feature where you can tell the DJ what you are looking for and the results is quite good. Their radio station is also good. Between Amazon, Qobuz and Spotify, I discovered the most music with Spotify.

I don't have a home theater setup, so I can't play multi-channel music, but one day and when that day comes, perhaps it will be a different streaming platform for me.

 

[Sal1950]

Qobuz has no AI, not even a simple algorithm. It is truly pathetic over at Qobuz.

I only tried Qobuz for a very short time years ago, it didn't appeal to me, along with most all the other streamers.
I believe they are trying to position themselves as the "audiophiles" streamer base with claims of high quality sound? They get the same high def files as everyone else from the labels so ??? They are very active over at Computer Audio/Style and a couple other phool type sites, marketing.
Use whatever works for you, I really only use streaming to check out new releases before purchasing or sometimes for background music while doing other things, makes for a better radio. LOL

 

[PristineSound]

I only tried Qobuz for a very short time years ago, it didn't appeal to me, along with most all the other streamers.
I believe they are trying to position themselves as the "audiophiles" streamer base with claims of high quality sound? They get the same high def files as everyone else from the labels so ??? They are very active over at Computer Audio/Style and a couple other phool type sites, marketing.
Use whatever works for you, I really only use streaming to check out new releases before purchasing or sometimes for background music while doing other things, makes for a better radio. LOL

Spotify downsamples to 44.1kHz (not saying you need anything more than that for audibility), but I do see the appeal to Qobuz to keep the file bitrate and sample rate exactly how they got it from the record company. I also know that other streaming services does the same thing as Qobuz.

If I really like the music, I will go to a used record store to buy used CD's for $1.99 each. I also buy SACD, Blu-ray audio and DVD-Audio disc as collectables. But I listen to streaming 98% of the time, you can't beat the convenience of it.

 

[pablolie]

I remain a very happy Spotify customer... the UI is pretty good (but has its quirks), the music catalog is very extensive, the SQ at 320k OGG is perfect for on the move, and now lossless for the system at home when really listening to stuff.
And it's not my job to question artists' business decisions. If their music is on Spotify, it means they signed the deal after pondering pros and cons, like all us adults do when signing business deals.
My concern with Spotify is that they are increasingly limiting their open APIs... and if they narrow down the ecosystem too much to control it a la Apple, I'll abandon it (like I did with Apple many moons ago). That's the advantage of having a large collection of music one really owns... while I like the convenience of streaming, I can easily abandon it if something goes in a direction I don't like for whatever reason.

 

[PristineSound]

And it's not my job to question artists' business decisions. If their music is on Spotify, it means they signed the deal after pondering pros and cons, like all us adults do when signing business deals.

100%.

Most of the artists now understands that you use Streaming to promote yourself and then you sell tickets to live shows to make the money. That is the new business model, whether you like it or now.

 

[Axo1989]

That is the new business model, whether you like it or now.

Surely you mean 'whether you like it or nowt'?

 

[Petrushka]

I remain a very happy Spotify customer... the UI is pretty good (but has its quirks), the music catalog is very extensive, the SQ at 320k OGG is perfect for on the move, and now lossless for the system at home when really listening to stuff.
And it's not my job to question artists' business decisions. If their music is on Spotify, it means they signed the deal after pondering pros and cons, like all us adults do when signing business deals.
My concern with Spotify is that they are increasingly limiting their open APIs... and if they narrow down the ecosystem too much to control it a la Apple, I'll abandon it (like I did with Apple many moons ago). That's the advantage of having a large collection of music one really owns... while I like the convenience of streaming, I can easily abandon it if something goes in a direction I don't like for whatever reason.

If Sonos ever supports Spotify lossless, the Port will be highly desirable. You can use the website or app to build Spotify playlists, and Sonos will play them. The Port has digital out.

I have two Ports and they have been trouble free. If you don’t like the Sonos app, there are third party apps. Including Alexa.

 

[sergeauckland]

I remain a very happy Spotify customer... the UI is pretty good (but has its quirks), the music catalog is very extensive, the SQ at 320k OGG is perfect for on the move, and now lossless for the system at home when really listening to stuff.
And it's not my job to question artists' business decisions. If their music is on Spotify, it means they signed the deal after pondering pros and cons, like all us adults do when signing business deals.
My concern with Spotify is that they are increasingly limiting their open APIs... and if they narrow down the ecosystem too much to control it a la Apple, I'll abandon it (like I did with Apple many moons ago). That's the advantage of having a large collection of music one really owns... while I like the convenience of streaming, I can easily abandon it if something goes in a direction I don't like for whatever reason.

As a heavy user of LMS as my streaming server, I too am increasingly concerned by Spotify's limiting of APIs. We've already lost Spotify Connect mode, which allowed the use of the Squeezebox as a Spotify endpoint using their GUI. That had a certain convenience we've lost. If Spotify goes altogether from LMS, I'll abandon Spotify as LMS is more useful than Spotify.

S

 

[pablolie]

As a heavy user of LMS as my streaming server, I too am increasingly concerned by Spotify's limiting of APIs. We've already lost Spotify Connect mode, which allowed the use of the Squeezebox as a Spotify endpoint using their GUI. That had a certain convenience we've lost. If Spotify goes altogether from LMS, I'll abandon Spotify as LMS is more useful than Spotify.

S

I am also on that exact boat. LMS since 2005!

 

[Multicore]

When I used Spotify for a while last year it played very nice to the WiiM. Did that change?

(LMS plays nice to the WiiM too ofc.)

 

[sergeauckland]

When I used Spotify for a while last year it played very nice to the WiiM. Did that change?

(LMS plays nice to the WiiM too ofc.)

Still working for now, but there was a major issue over the holiday period which was rapidly fixed by the LMS programmers. There's some question over how long Spotify will allow third party players like LMS to connect.

S

 

[Somafunk]

The new DJ feature on Spotify with AI is excellent. The only thing left I would want from Spotify is ASIO or WASAPI on their Windows app.

Those aren't on Spotify are missing out in music discovery.

Cool story bro,

Nah…I’m jesting. , I’ve never used Spotify for obvious reasons so couldn’t comment on their services but as for the music services choosing “next track/you listen to this so perhaps try this”? , I’ve never used that service on tidal. I have my list of record labels/record stores in the UK/Europe that send me emails of new releases (mostly electronic) along with my fav music bloggers to check out, I don’t have enough hours in the day to check them all out as it is so I have absolutely zero interest in allowing an algorithm to choose my music

 

[Axo1989]

Cool story bro,

Nah…jesting. , I’ve never used Spotify for obvious reasons so couldn’t comment on their services but as for the music services choosing “next track/you listen to this so perhaps try this”? , I’ve never used that service on tidal. I have my list of record labels/record stores in the UK/Europe that send me emails of new releases (mostly electronic) along with my fav music bloggers to check out, I don’t have enough hours in the day to check them all out as it is so I have absolutely zero interest in allowing an algorithm to choose my music

Yes, there are all sorts of (often more deliberative) methods for discovering artists and music, without stitching yourself to the end of Spotify's vast human centipede.

Those aren't on Spotify are missing out in music discovery.

Yeah that's basically bs.

 

[Sal1950]

Spotify downsamples to 44.1kHz (not saying you need anything more than that for audibility), but I do see the appeal to Qobuz to keep the file bitrate and sample rate exactly how they got it from the record company. I also know that other streaming services does the same thing as Qobuz.

I didn't know that, unfortunate irrespective of any audible issues. I really don't understand the directions they have chosen a couple times, why did they promise us lossless was comeing and just around the corner for 4 or more years. Grrrr.
I don't mean to come off as a Spotify hater, I used them for many years. I dipped my toes in the lossless rush trying out most of the lossless streamers.
I honestly didn't hear any pronounced difference but it was difficult to do proper level matched listening test. As it was, I stayed with Spotify due to their excellent UI until something really audibly better came along, Apples Spatial Audio. Now that rocks!

As a heavy user of LMS as my streaming server

I'm sorry, let me show my ignorance here, what is LMS. I've tried to Gaggle it but, does it have something to do with the Lyrion music server platform?

 

[PristineSound]

Yeah that's basically bs.

Ok sure thing, I along with the 281m subscribers will continue to use Spotify now