To be clear, it’s Mr Ek who invested, not Spotify. There is a difference.
Spotify aren’t the issue here. Many artists are exploited for many reasons, but many aren’t. The takeaway is to hold on to control of your copyright.
I hold no candle for Spotify, have media of all types and use Qobuz as a streaming service, and Bandcamp for buying directly from an artist.
Not a big difference, it’s money he sucked out of Spotify (in other words the artists)
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The company said it pays royalties to rights holders, adding that it does not have “visibility” on where the money ultimately goes because earnings are based on artists’ individual contracts with their labels. A spokesperson said: "Spotify does not pay artists or songwriters directly. We pay rights-holders, these are typically record labels, music publishers, collection societies. “These rights-holders then pay artists and songwriters based on their individual agreements.”
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https://www.headphonesty.com/2024/12/spotify-ceo-becomes-richer-musician-history/
As its CEO becomes wealthier than any musician in history, dthe people who make the music struggle to earn a fair share.
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I agree artists should get paid more via streaming.
The negativity here seems solely against Spotify.
Everyone should boycott these 
Agreed, its not just Spotify , its the streaming business model that it’s screwing the artist over.
However, Spotify is the worst of the lot. They really could not give a ■■■■ about the artists and focus purely on their bottom line and shareholder value.
I am canceling Qobuz as I find that Qobuz on occasion the streams can sound a bit over etched, on some material excellent and natural but on others like it’s trying too hard to impress, whereas lossless Spotify connects me to music more emotionally, it sounds more analog to me.
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Horses for courses, we are all free to choose, what a time to be a music lover!
I have been without Spotify for so long that I will not be switching away from Tidal or Qobuz. I use Apple Music outside the Roon ecosystem and that is all I need.
Not for me, I will be keeping Qobuz and Tidal
Spotify will only 24/44 and not full high def so once again spotify falls short. plus it does not integrate with roon
Goldensound review of spotify
uncovering the real story behind Spotify’s “lossless” files.
He discovered they don’t have exclusive mode yet. That’s all. It’s in the works.
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+1
Support the artists you like, not the platform.
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No, no & no he bloody did not.
He only tested it on Windows and Android. Spotify on Windows doesn’t have exclusive mode and does bypass the OSmixer, and on Android it doesn’t bypass the OSaudio. Neither of these will give bit-perfect, which was shown in the video. So unless the device being used in this type of test is bit-perfect with Spotify (i.e. iOS device & more) then it’s pointless & the null tests will be meaningless. This is mentioned around the 5 minute mark.
The video bends the truth to suit viewers who will look to dismiss Spotify Lossless.
Making a video for benefits of Spotify Lossless would not generate as many views and this type of video is something I particularly dislike about YouTubers.
I’ve cancelled Tidal because they compress files when listening through headphones. I’ve also subscribed to Spotify for the first time. I like their DJ function and all-round user-friendly features. I’m sticking with Qobuz because they are integrated with Roon.
Can you expand on this?
How are you using Tidal with headphones?
What device?
Via Tidals app on a iPhone I can connect my Dragon fly Cobalt DAC and get bit-perfect/lossless
Via my Nothing Phone running Android, I can use my Nothing Earbuds and have up to 24/192 with LHDC. In a perfect environment it sound darn good.
LHDC stands for Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec, a high-quality Bluetooth audio technology developed by Savitech that enables high-resolution audio streaming with excellent sound fidelity and low latency. It allows for transmission of audio at high bitrates and resolutions, such as 24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz, offering a superior wireless listening experience compared to standard Bluetooth codecs like SBC. LHDC is designed for music, gaming, and video, providing an experience closer to wired connections
Sony WH-1000XM6 with LDAC enabled, when playing a track that shows hi-res on the track, when you click on that banner, it says it only plays compressed on headphones. Qobuz doesn’t do this.
That’s because Qobuz isn’t telling you it is doing it anyway.
LDAC maximum is 24/96 @ 990kbps in optimal conditions.
In all honesty, I don’t expect bit-perfect & lossless with LHDC, because it isn’t as there is still conversion, compression etc happening for it to be transmitted to headphones over Bluetooth.
Tidal is being transparent with its banner which is great to see.
I only use Bluetooth, like I am now when at work or around the house when I need to be mobile doing chores.
If you want bit-perfect & lossless, don’t use Bluetooth 
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Though worth posting this here
The answer is yes.
So I truly think @GoldenSound should revisit his video and test thoroughly. If when he does and finds similar findings it’d be interesting.
See the mess Golden Sound has caused. I’m sure most people don’t sit thru whole video, just hear what they want to hear, that Spotify is subpar. And the things about exclusive mode was already addressed by Spotify on Reddit. It’s in active development. As far as I know Deezer, Amazon, and Apple Music also don’t have exclusive mode and no comment of it it’s ever coming. Also though some said their are workarounds to get bit perfect on a windows now.
At the very least he could have confirmed that the streamers that have the latest Spotify Connect is indeed lossless bit perfect. Naim has confirmed getting true lossless. And could also mention on Apple products also bit perfect instead of writing off Apple users as only using Apple Music.
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