Whether or not Tidal HiFi is truly lossless is a complex question with no easy answer. It depends on a number of factors, including what you mean by “lossless,” how you define sound quality, and your personal preferences.
What is lossless audio?
Lossless audio is a type of audio compression that does not remove any of the original audio data. This means that lossless audio files sound exactly the same as the original audio files.
How does Tidal HiFi work?
Tidal HiFi uses MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology. MQA is a lossless compression technology that allows Tidal to deliver high-resolution audio without using excessive bandwidth.
Is Tidal HiFi truly lossless?
Some people argue that Tidal HiFi is not truly lossless because it uses MQA technology. MQA is a proprietary technology, and its inner workings are not fully disclosed. This makes it difficult to verify whether or not MQA is truly lossless.
However, MQA is certified by the Japan Audio Society as a lossless audio codec. This means that the Japan Audio Society has verified that MQA does not remove any of the original audio data.
What do people say about Tidal HiFi sound quality?
People who have listened to Tidal HiFi report a wide range of opinions on its sound quality. Some people say that it sounds better than CD quality, while others say that it sounds worse. Some people say that they can hear a difference between Tidal HiFi and CD quality, while others say that they cannot.
It is important to note that sound quality is subjective. What sounds good to one person may not sound good to another. Additionally, sound quality can be affected by a number of factors, including the device you are using to listen, the room you are listening in, and your own personal preferences.
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether or not Tidal HiFi is right for you is to try it and see how it sounds to you. Tidal offers a free trial, so you can listen to Tidal HiFi for free for 30 days.
If you are looking for a lossless audio streaming service, there are other options available, such as Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless and Amazon Music HD. These services offer lossless audio streaming without using MQA technology.
However, if you are interested in trying a lossless audio streaming service that uses MQA technology, Tidal HiFi is a good option to consider.