Amazon Music HD Discussion Thread

[rand129678]

Just now, Niktech said:

Lossless in Apple is 16bit /44.1 kHz or CD Quality.

 

Apple Hi res is 24 bits /44.1 up to 192khz. 

 

Ultra HD in the case of “Distances” and the other albums I quoted in Amazon are 24 bit /44.1 KHz and the resolution is noticeable.

 

Apple calls both 16-bit and 24-bit 44.1kHz 'Lossless'.

 

Amazon calls 16/44.1 "HD" and 24/44.1 "Ultra HD".

 

It's just a marketing difference.

 

Below is Distances on Apple Music (exactly the same 24/44.1 that Amazon calls UltraHD)

 

 

[Niktech]

Irrespective of a marketing difference they sound different

[Niktech]

That, and the fact that there is now another platform to stream hi res without going through the convoluted process of trying to stream Apple Music to your DAC.

[eLicky]

23 hours ago, MusicForever said:

Thanks!  Trying it through my Node 2i.  Definitely not as well integrated into Bluos as Tidal.... Sounds slightly brighter though my 800s but it's still early days.  I like the Amazon playlists much better than Tidal.

Its almost perfect for me, the interface, the huge library, I don't mind the slightly coloured sound I'm hearing, but there's one huge deal breaker, while it offers exclusive mode its not properly implemented and doesn't send the file directly to to your DAC untouched, at least not using Windows 10.

I can't believe it myself, I still use it but if only they could fix that. People have been asking for nearly 2-years with no outcome so far.

This link explains: https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/bits-and-bytes/amazon-music-hd-is-still-lossy-r953/

Edited October 24, 2021 by eLicky

[StereoNET]

Amazon Music is not the newcomer to the music streaming market, but audio lovers often overlooked it while its 'HD' tier was unavailable in Australia.

View the full article

[wolster]

Started the free trial but haven't had time for a serious listen, as yet.

Has anyone tried comparing with other hi-res services?

[Chris.chapterten]

46 minutes ago, wolster said:

Started the free trial but haven't had time for a serious listen, as yet.

Has anyone tried comparing with other hi-res services?

I currently have Qobuz and the free trial of Amazon. Going through a Blusound Powernode 2i.

 

Integration with the Blusound app is very poor (as another member pointed out). But sound quality of the High Res tracks on Amazon is noticeably better than CD quality. I find it hard to hear the difference between it and Qobuz when comparing hi-res vs hi-res…

 

But ultimately I don’t want to support Amazon and won’t be keeping the service when the trial runs out..

 

 

Edited October 26, 2021 by Chris.chapterten

[eLicky]

16 hours ago, wolster said:

Started the free trial but haven't had time for a serious listen, as yet.

Has anyone tried comparing with other hi-res services?

I've compared with Qobuz and Tidal, Amazon music is (slightly) bright and sounds a little coloured on the transparent side. If you've ever heard a Cirrus Logic DAC chip it reminds me of that, quite enjoyable but perhaps not the most audiophile service. But do read my post above, the exclusive mode isn't bit-perfect which places a dark cloud over its audiophile aspects.

And just an hour ago for some reason all the HD options have disappeared for me, not in the options or showing the symbols under albums.

Hopefully its just temporary

Edited October 26, 2021 by eLicky

[rand129678]

On 26/10/21 at 2:33 PM, eLicky said:

And just an hour ago for some reason all the HD options have disappeared for me, not in the options or showing the symbols under albums.

 

Same for me. Still hasn't come back today for me.

[eLicky]

7 hours ago, rand129678 said:

 

Same for me. Still hasn't come back today for me.

I contacted Amazon support yesterday, they're aware of the issue and working on fixing it, several people have contacted them.

Sure taking their time though, its been almost 2-days.

Overall I'm really enjoying Amazon Music, Tidal and Qobuz do sound better in for absolutely quality and detail but after going back n forth I (might) stick with Amazon music because it just makes music enjoyable, has good flow and timing.

[wolster]

The Ultra HD is showing now on my phone. Didn't check when it was reported as missing.

Is it back for everybody?

[eLicky]

1 hour ago, wolster said:

The Ultra HD is showing now on my phone. Didn't check when it was reported as missing.

Is it back for everybody?

Not back for me yet on Windows 10 PC app.

 

[wolster]

Just listening to new War on Drugs new album. Went to Qobuz to save it in a playlist. Not yet available there.

[wolster]

@eLicky

Correct. Not showing on Windows 10 app. 

[MusicForever]

Just got back from a couple of days at  Burleigh....  My phone ap is still showing Ultra on the tracks and "hr" in Bluos playback.  (High resolution?)

Edited October 29, 2021 by MusicForever

[callann]

2 hours ago, MusicForever said:

Just got back from a couple of days at  Burleigh....  My phone ap is still showing Ultra on the tracks and "hr" in Bluos playback.  (High resolution?)

Just signed up today. Using the Bluos app too and I'm only seeing "CD" or "HR" for tracks. Haven't seen a higher resolution.  Annoyingly I have to play a track before the quality is visible.

[eLicky]

41 minutes ago, callann said:

Just signed up today. Using the Bluos app too and I'm only seeing "CD" or "HR" for tracks. Haven't seen a higher resolution.  Annoyingly I have to play a track before the quality is visible.

When I signed up around 5-days ago everything was working for about 48-hours on the Windows 10 app, they were HD and Ultra HD albums and in the options there was an extra field where you could select HD / Ultra HD as your preferred audio quality.

Now it just shows this.

Pretty crappy considering the big launch to Australia.

[Niktech]

I don’t know if it’s been fixed for you guys, but I’ve had no problem with HD and ultra HD.

 

 I downloaded the Amazon Music app directly from Amazon and not the Windows 10 store,  which may have something to do with it 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Niktech
Tried to insert photos, but didn’t work

[eLicky]

25 minutes ago, Niktech said:

I don’t know if it’s been fixed for you guys, but I’ve had no problem with HD and ultra HD.

 

 I downloaded the Amazon Music app directly from Amazon and not the Windows 10 store,  which may have something to do with it 

I tried what you said but still not there for me.

I have been thinking though, sure I read something about HD  / Ultra HD not being available for single device plans.

Are you on the family plan by any chance?  Just trying to work this out.

Edited October 30, 2021 by eLicky

[Niktech]

1 minute ago, eLicky said:

I tried what you said but still not there for me.

I have been thinking though, sure I read something about HD  / Ultra HD not being available for single device plans.

Are you on the family plan by any chance?  Just trying to work this out.

No mate, just the individual plan. 

[Niktech]

The app is showing me that an update is available, but I dare not update it in case it’s a bug in the newer version.

[MusicForever]

On a quick search, I just found this from Bluesound...

https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360042747493-Amazon-HD-not-showing-Ultra-HD-UHD-in-Bluos-app?mobile_site=true

[eLicky]

I contacted Amazon support again, they're still dealing with the issue, its been forwarded onto the technical team and its a waiting game.

Not sure why some people can see it, they're getting contacted by several people about it.

At least we know its not from our end. 

[MusicForever]

Also some discussion about various streamers here- 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/amazon-music-and-bluesound-node-2i

[wolster]

Just downloaded the app on my Samsung tablet. Same as phone, all ultra HD tracks and albums identified.

I'm all good now for home, it's just at work with Windows 10 that there is a problem.

I wonder if it works on Macs?