HiFi and Master are two different audio quality options offered by the streaming service Tidal. HiFi streams music in lossless quality, meaning that the audio is not compressed in any way. Master streams music in high-resolution audio (Hi-Res Audio), which means that it has a higher sample rate and bit depth than HiFi.
Sample rate is the number of times per second that the audio signal is sampled. A higher sample rate means that the audio signal is captured more accurately, resulting in better sound quality.
Bit depth is the number of bits used to represent each sample. A higher bit depth means that each sample can be represented with greater precision, resulting in better sound quality.
Tidal’s HiFi tier streams music at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz and a bit depth of 16 bits. This is the same sample rate and bit depth as a CD. Tidal’s Master tier streams music at a sample rate of up to 96 kHz and a bit depth of up to 24 bits.
So, which audio quality is better: HiFi or Master?
It depends on your preferences. If you are satisfied with the sound quality of CDs, then HiFi will be perfectly adequate for you. However, if you are looking for the best possible sound quality, then Master is the way to go.
Master audio will sound better on a good HiFi system. However, it is important to note that not all HiFi systems are capable of playing Master audio. You will need a HiFi system that supports high-resolution audio playback.
Here is a more detailed comparison of HiFi and Master audio:
| Feature | HiFi | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Sample rate | 44.1 kHz | Up to 96 kHz |
| Bit depth | 16 bits | Up to 24 bits |
| Audio format | FLAC | FLAC, MQA |
| File size | Smaller | Larger |
| Data usage | Lower | Higher |
| Sound quality | Good | Excellent |
Which audio quality is right for you?
If you are not sure which audio quality is right for you, I recommend starting with HiFi. HiFi is a good way to experience the benefits of lossless audio without having to invest in a high-resolution audio playback system.
If you are happy with the sound quality of HiFi, then you can stick with it. However, if you are looking for the best possible sound quality, then you may want to upgrade to Master.
Here are some additional things to consider when choosing between HiFi and Master audio:
- Your budget: Master audio is more expensive than HiFi audio. You will need to pay a higher monthly subscription fee for Tidal’s Master tier.
- Your HiFi system: Not all HiFi systems are capable of playing Master audio. Make sure that your HiFi system supports high-resolution audio playback before upgrading to Master.
- Your listening habits: If you listen to music on your smartphone or other mobile device, then you may not want to upgrade to Master. Master audio files are larger and require more data to stream. This can be a problem if you have a limited data plan.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which audio quality is right for you is to try them both and see which one you prefer. Tidal offers a free trial of its Master tier, so you can try it out before you commit to a paid subscription.
