Tidal, the music streaming platform owned by Jay-Z, announced that it will soon be introducing hi-res FLAC audio to HiFi Plus members, adding one more reason why it’s a better alternative to Spotify for audiophiles. FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a digital audio format that offers studio-quality sound without requiring a whole lot of storage space, which is essential for platforms that need to have enough room for millions of tracks.
This particular format already exists on Tidal in the standard HiFi tier where songs offer CD-like quality. However, music on HiFi Plus, commonly referred to as Tidal Masters, currently runs on MQA, a highly controversial format that has been subject to many debates in audiophile circles. MQA or Master Quality Authenticated is an audio format that allows studio-quality sound to exist on file sizes smaller than FLAC.
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The company behind the digital music tech, MQA Ltd, recently announced it was entering into administration, which is the British version of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US, which worried Tidal users as it could have spelled the end of HiFi Plus. Fortunately, it’s not over. Switching over to a file format with a larger size than MQA is going to change a lot on the platform, but for now, things will stay mostly static.
In a recent report from Digital Trends, a company spokesperson for Tidal confirmed that the “existing MQA catalog will continue to be available on the platform” and that Tidal was simply “adding hi-res FLAC” as an alternative. Jesse Dorogusker, Tidal CEO, also said in a recent Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) that the service will provide new “controls” over FLAC files, seemingly allowing a way for users to adjust their size.
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Users’ response to this change has been mostly positive from what we can tell. They seem to appreciate that Tidal will be offering what some might consider a true lossless audio format in the service’s highest tier. There’s been some controversy regarding the validity of MQA actually being lossless. Some have gone as far as referring to it as snake oil, and a YouTuber by the name of GoldenSound took the time to test the format. According to his findings, MQA wasn’t as good as the company claimed it to be. So, there’s a good chance Tidal HiFi Plus will get an audio upgrade.
Considering the recent bankruptcy news, it’s possible MQA Ltd may soon stop supporting its own format, leaving Tidal with only FLAC. However, Jesse Dorogusker didn’t say anything about growing the Tidal Masters catalog. It appears that, at the moment, the platform is more focused on building a FLAC music library.
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Meanwhile, rival Spotify is content with adding a TikTok-like feed rather than finally adding high-resolution audio. So if you’re thinking of jumping ship to Tidal, now’s your chance. And if you do, be sure to check out TechRadar’s recently updated list of the best over-ear headphones for 2023. You’re going to need a good pair to get the most out of FLAC audio.
In conclusion, Tidal has added another reason why it’s a better alternative to Spotify for audiophiles with the introduction of hi-res FLAC audio to Hi-Fi Plus members. This move comes in the wake of the MQA format’s recent bankruptcy news, which could signal the end of Hi-Fi Plus. Tidal’s move to a lossless format that has been widely accepted in audiophile circles is a smart one and could see users migrating to the platform.
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