Spotify Premium vs Tidal ... opinions?

Bob - 
The question I was addressing was, "...to what device do you stream to get the best sound quality?"  My short answer could have been, "a DAC".  My reply had nothing to do with the best connector for signal transfer.  

Regardless of the potentially irrelevant, non-music purposes that USB cables have served, it is worth noting how many audio devices are now equipped with USB ports.  The article on USB/SPDIF converters at the link here is also worth reading: http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2013/07/when-should-you-use-an-external-usb-spdif-converter/   
As noted in the article and in my earlier response, these converters are not always essential with more recent implementations of USB mediated digital input.  Where a bus-powered converter is used, the issue of power related noise is easily addressed by using a two headed USB cable with separate leg for a non-computer power source.

I was certainly not attempting to argue USB was the best method for signal transfer, though it does seem to work just fine for me.  I only provided details of how I do it because, like you, I use a MAC product for streaming. If you are able to implement Cerrot's approach and enjoy a superior listening experience, wonderful.  I am curious how easy it would be to upgrade the  sound card on a Mac...might be a more attractive option on a Windows-based machine.  

Hope whatever you do enhances your music listening.   

I like Tidal it sounds great.

ghosthouse,

Thank you for your reply.  I've been ripping my cds for the past month to an external hard drive attached to my Macbook air using dbpoweramp.

I have a Peachtree Grand Integrated that has onboard DACS and they go out to my beloved Quad 2805s.  It's a very simple system.  I also have a modest Cambridge transport that I use to play cds.

I've streamed a bit wirelessly using the MacBook and an Apple Airplay.  The quality was marginal at best. 

After reading your post I went to Staples and picked up a USB cable.  Even using that cheap ole' cable, the sound was much better.  Better enough that I gave Spotify a go.  Sounds okay.  Not great but okay.  And that's with their premium subscription.

I have a USB input on my amplifier, do you think an audiophile grade USB cable like your Pangea would get me closer to what I hear using cds and my transport? 

Thank you again,

Bob

I tried Tidal for the first time yesterday. The sound quality is very close to CDs that I've ripped via dBpoweramp. I compared several songs and every time the ripped CD sounded better. That being said, I'm going to keep Tidal.

Bob - we're quickly reaching the limit of what I know...a couple of suggestions before spending any more on a USB cable. 
1) try TIDAL.  See if that gets you closer to the CD quality sound you are looking for vs Spotify.  They offer a free (30...maybe even 60 day) trial so worth trying that.  I'm very happy with Spotify and do note that not all their content has the same sound quality.  

2) I don't know how good the DACs are in your Peachtree.  They might not benefit BUT see if you can negotiate trialing a USB/SPDIF converter.  In my experience that made a big difference in SQ vs straight USB input to a DAC.  Empirical Audio (Steve Nugent) offers a pretty high quality converter as well as in-home trial.  Worth looking into.  Return it if no benefit.  This also assumes you have a coax input to your Peachtree;'s DACs. 

3) For some lower cost converter options, see info here.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/15-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-spdif-converters-shootout-15327/
I used a V-Link with the original V-DAC and that made a big improvement in SQ.  The V-Link died and I replaced it with a V-Link 192 that I use with my Gungnir.  Would try Steve's Offramp converter if I were willing to pay that kind of scratch.  Might try a Gustard U-12 from China (see Ebay).

4)  I'd experiment with source and converter and then see what a new USB cable gets you.  Audio Advisor carries them.  I can tell you for sure the Pangea I bought was absolutely NOT top of their line.  You can pay stupid money for so-called "Audiophile USB" cables.  Wireworld Starlight series gets good reviews...series 7 Platinum is, I think, top of that line.  


Have fun.  Hope you get the sound you are looking for.