TIDAL starts to rollout HiRes FLAC to its Early Access Program (EAP) users on iOS according to a recent reddit post by TIDAL CEO Jesse Dorogusker. The streamer is now offering high resolution content in FLAC format, up to 24-bit 192kHz. For those on the EAP programme you can access this now by updating your beta app, and selecting ‘Max’ quality in the new Audio & Playback settings screen.
Dorogusker said, “We’re choosing FLAC as our preferred format for high resolution audio, and we’ll continue to support multiple formats to make sure we have as much HiRes content as possible. It’s open source, allowing greater access for artists and fans, and aligns with TIDAL’s support for open platforms. Pairing accessibility with best-in-class audio quality directly aligns with our purpose of empowering artists to run thriving businesses in the economy.”
The initial tranche of title contains over 6 million tracks available to stream in HiRes FLAC. Dorogusker added, “We’re actively working with distributors, labels, and artists to add more content in this format every day.”
For those subscribers who aren’t a part of TIDAL’s EAP programme, the full rollout to HiFiPlus users is scheduled for August.
This change of heart to embrace the open source FLAC format comes hard on the heels of the recent announcement by MQA in April this year that it was going into administration. There is no news yet as to the future of the company and its MQA format.
