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Spotify sounds compressed

So now that I have more time to mess around with things like this, I started using Spotify and went premium right away. But it sounds compressed. I looked in the settings and the high quality streaming switch is on. When I switch it off, there is no change in sound.
I have my Samsung tablet hooked up to the preamp using it as the source while using my Asus notebook to manage things. The settings on the tablet are set to receive extreme quality signals. When I listen to Radio Tunes the signal sounds much better with extended highs and very deep lows. It just seems to me that the Spotify highs are compressed, not very extended. Is this the norm? I think Spotify is excellent for finding new music, but it doesn't sound the best.
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abucktwoeighty's avatar
abucktwoeighty OP
1,079 posts
 
Just got the dac hooked back up. Will look into Linn Radio.
abucktwoeighty's avatar
abucktwoeighty OP
1,079 posts
 
Torxx, thanks for the Linn radio suggestion. 320kbs sounds pretty fine, plus I like the variety.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,368 posts
 
I'm streaming Spotify through an Asus wifi/Denon through Airplay, and it sounds fine. I only listen to it for background music throughout the house, but it certainly is acceptable.
tubes444
91 posts
 

Spotify vs Tidal.

Is there a sonic difference. "Absolutely."

But if your using very very  good Quality DAC/Pre-Amp/Amp & speakers.

The EAR is more easily Pleased! with either streamer service.

I subscribe to both.  Now on Spotify: Classical. Violins little less timber & sweetness. Horns a little less brassee!. Piano not all that much. The high Freq range instruments is were the missing kbps are lost anyway.

Female voice depends widely on the recording. Ex: Diana Krall

Tidal slightly less husky. 

Heir's is all there. Just a little less throaty with Spotify.

My bottom line is." I can find no great loss of  measureable pleasure when playing Spotify. Why both services. Easy, each has recordings the other doesn't offer. If I want to hear an old artist.

                     K-BPS isn't going to stop or effect me!!.


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