Is Spotify already high res?

[podknocker]

I don't know what happened 3 days ago, but my Spotify suddenly sounds much better. I play the same dozen or so playlists nearly every day and I'm familiar with the sound quality, but there's been a change somewhere and I'm struggling to work out what this is. My DTS PlayFi app had an update a week ago and my Audiolab Omnia went through the usual upgrade cycle, but there wasn't a change in sound quality. This happened 3 days ago and it's like listening to nearly CD quality now. The sound 'hangs' between and around my speakers and there are many more layers and panning effects now. It's so clear and busy with detail and the subtle micro dynamics, but not congested at all. I know it sounds better, but I don't know how or why. Has anyone else noticed an increase in clarity and detail recently. in their favourite tunes? I'm bewildered to be honest and I can't see any point in upgrading now. There isn't an obvious and large increase in treble detail, which I do require, but the midrange and all these panning synth effects and little details are very much improved. It's a mystery. If I upgrade and get more top end sparkle, I'm worried I'll lose all the stuff I'm loving now. I'm currently listening to The Eagles greatest hits 2013 remaster, which I've played 200 times this year and I'm hearing stuff I've never heard before. Crackers.

 

[jjbomber]

HD-AAC.

 

[Revolutions]

If there’s no increase in clarity with the treble, I’d hazard a guess it’s not Spotify. That’s the one giveaway I can always hear in an a/b with Spotify vs tidal (when volume matched).

 

[podknocker]

HD-AAC.

Not sure how this is relevant. I do know DTS PlayFi turns any stream into FLAC and it's resampled at 16bit 44kHz, but obviously you can't add data that's not there in the first place. My system sounds amazing now and I don't know why. I don't think an upgrade is going to happen for a long time.

 

[Rodolfo]

I don't know what happened 3 days ago, but my Spotify suddenly sounds much better. I play the same dozen or so playlists nearly every day and I'm familiar with the sound quality, but there's been a change somewhere and I'm struggling to work out what this is. My DTS PlayFi app had an update a week ago and my Audiolab Omnia went through the usual upgrade cycle, but there wasn't a change in sound quality. This happened 3 days ago and it's like listening to nearly CD quality now. The sound 'hangs' between and around my speakers and there are many more layers and panning effects now. It's so clear and busy with detail and the subtle micro dynamics, but not congested at all. I know it sounds better, but I don't know how or why. Has anyone else noticed an increase in clarity and detail recently. in their favourite tunes? I'm bewildered to be honest and I can't see any point in upgrading now. There isn't an obvious and large increase in treble detail, which I do require, but the midrange and all these panning synth effects and little details are very much improved. It's a mystery. If I upgrade and get more top end sparkle, I'm worried I'll lose all the stuff I'm loving now. I'm currently listening to The Eagles greatest hits 2013 remaster, which I've played 200 times this year and I'm hearing stuff I've never heard before. Crackers.

Hopeful report, for sure. They also just announced their podcast head is leaving. She led the company's pivot to podcasts (and mine to Amazon Music); so, maybe these are signals of a re-pivoting to music.

If meaningful, I'd expect to see improvement claims and reports on business and other channels, including WHF.

 

[podknocker]

I'm currently listening via headphones plugged into my PC and it sounds incredible. It can't be the speakers or my streaming amp etc. I'm amazed. I'm listening to some trance stuff and I can't believe the sound, it's like a new format. I can't explain it. I do wish Spotify would say something about their plans for high res. I think it's here already and if I'm wrong, PLEASE release high res so it sounds even better than this. Crikey. I still wish my system sounded as good as the cans and the PC, but that will defo involve an upgrade.

 

[jjbomber]

it's like a new format. I can't explain it.

HD-AAC. Premium customers only.

 

[podknocker]

HD-AAC. Premium customers only.

I'm on premium. I thought all Spotify was 320kbps Ogg Vorbis and the only difference was adverts etc. I never knew so I've learned something about Spotify. HD-AAC does appear to sound better than Ogg Vorbis, but I've always been on premium, so I don't know why the sudden increase in quality. Perhaps my account had the wrong settings at their end. I know my DTS PlayFi and Spotify phone apps are at the highest quality setting and I've never changed them. I've no idea.