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Tidal - Why are there more than 2 versions of same album?

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Posted on January 29, 2017 at 19:48:27
Jeff Starr
Audiophile

Posts: 1574
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Joined: March 4, 2000
 I did a search, couldn't find it. So why are there more than one of the same album? Is there a simple way to determine the better one?

I have searched Tidal, Google, and here, no answer. I am hoping one of you long time users can help me.

Also is there a way to sort Masters by date posted? I have been going through all the Masters every day or two. Once marked as a favorite, it is easy to list alphabetically.

 

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RE: Tidal - Why are there more than 2 versions of same album?, posted on January 30, 2017 at 03:41:25
PAR
 I'm not a Tidal subscriber but it is just the same on Qobuz and I expect on most, if not all, streaming services.

The reason is straightforward; There is more than one version of a given album listed because there is more than one version.

The same album can be reissued several times over its life, often being remastered each time. Sometimes it is done by the same record company, sometimes the rights in the recording pass from one company to another.

The streaming services don't ( as far as I am aware) really curate what is on theiir servers but just load what the record companies send them. So it is possible that a record released some years ago will already exist on their server but then be reissued later with a different cover even though the recording is exactly the same as the original. This results in both copies being listed by the streaming service even though they are audibly identical.

There is no way of easily determining what is the best version unless it has a reputation known to you e.g. the given record is best in the Sony reissue of 2015 or the given record is best if you can get the original Warner issue etc. Also personal taste is another relevant factor.

 

RE: Tidal - Why are there more than 2 versions of same album?, posted on January 30, 2017 at 04:08:55
zacster
Audiophile

Posts: 2178
Location: NYC
Joined: November 22, 2003
 How many Masters are there? I have a trial subscription and I counted 514, not a lot in the grand scheme of things. That was as of 1/29. Are they adding more each day/week? It seemed pretty limited to me. I will say they sound good over my iMac and Dragonfly Black, but I want more.

 

At least QOBUZ gives you a release date from the label...., posted on January 30, 2017 at 07:21:20
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

Later release dates seem to sound better, if anything.

Latest DECCA release of the above represents a GREAT re-master their engineers.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Tidal - Why are there more than 2 versions of same album?, posted on January 30, 2017 at 12:39:27
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Again in the spring Sony and UMG will start being added to the MQA Masters
Right now there is no way to keep track of newly added Masters. Also when you put into your My music there is nothing to indicate that they are MQA albums except by playing them
Alan

 

RE: Tidal - Why are there more than 2 versions of same album?, posted on January 30, 2017 at 12:48:55
Jeff Starr
Audiophile

Posts: 1574
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Joined: March 4, 2000
 I am only seeing one version under Masters. It is other albums, under artists where you will see sometimes two or more of the same album, with the same covers. When you click on them there is no info that helps determine release date, or resolution.

I discovered an artist that I wanted to check out, there was 4 albums, 2 were the same, with the only difference being about 7 seconds difference in length.
Even the Masters, as new ones are added, they are not put in any sensible order. They just throw them in with the rest of them.

So far, I find myself liking Tidal, I really didn't want to, but the amount of music is quite impressive. I will probably keep it after my 3 month trial.

 

RE: Tidal - Why are there more than 2 versions of same album?, posted on January 30, 2017 at 14:56:03
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 803
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
 Sometimes the cover will say for example "Rudy VanGelder remaster" or the name of the release.
Tidal is better with Roon. I haven't left my apt in weeks!

 

RE: At least QOBUZ gives you a release date from the label...., posted on January 30, 2017 at 21:18:46
PAR
 Slightly OT but Qobuz will be releasing a new version of the Desktop player mid-February. It will incorporate many of the changes that featured in the Beta version that I have been using for the past few weeks and promises to be regularly updated. Unlike the current player the updates will include improvements and not just corrections.

I'll bet that I still have issues with metadata formats though!

 

And mine will still be in French!, posted on January 30, 2017 at 21:30:05
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 Unless I can figure out some way to move to the UK. :-)

Anything worth mentioning regards the Beta?

I'm pretty happy with QOBUZ these days. I figured out how to get the CD booklet (Livret numérique) to print out but only from a browser version which is OK as I can still play from the OS-X player while using the browser for the 'Livret numérique'.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: And mine will still be in French!, posted on January 30, 2017 at 22:03:57
PAR
 The Beta was a much cleaner design which I assume will feature with the new standard player. Less clutter and you can now can get an almost full screen view of the cover art with tracks left to play shown at the side.

There also seems to be composer /artist information here and there ( still being developed I guess) a bit like I have seen from Roon if not necessarily as extensive.

There is a "credits" field (again being added, so not for every item yet) which when opened gives additional musicians' details - very useful for jazz; producers , engineers, dates and even redording venues ( items variable per record). If there is a CD booklet that too is easier to find and see.

You need to learn how it works so that you know how to see the full track listing for navigation ( in one of the standard views it only shows tracks left to play).

My main negative point compared to the exisitng player is that where track data is truncated due to length you can no longer see the full details by hovering the cursor over the track. But that might be fixed in the new player (I hope).

My main bitch is still that there is no way of identifying who the composer is if you have a disc with works by more than one. An example is the new release "Bologna 1666" by the Kammerorchester Basle. Many Italian composers of the 17th century, a good proportion of whom are totaly unknown to me as are all of the works. However Qobuz does have all of the needed information on its servers already if you check "buy" the recording then "Further Details". Frustrating when there shouldn't be a big problem in letting us streamers see it. BTW this is a wonderful, wonderful record, rich vibrant sound of a big ensemble and truly virtuosic fiddle playing. HIP of course so if that's not up your street...

 

Best list of Masters, posted on February 1, 2017 at 17:31:24
RJeff
Audiophile

Posts: 1347
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: June 27, 2001
 This gets updated by crowdsourcing and I've found it more helpful than going through the WHAT'S NEW > MASTERS list, which does not show many of these.

Jeff


"Decaf is for cowards."
Jack Kevorkian

 

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