Tidal Master Quality Unavailable? Try Tidal HiRes FLAC!

Part 1. What is Tidal HiRes FLAC Audio?

Tidal HiRes FLAC audio is the replacement for Tidal's MQA. HiRes FLAC is a lossless format that offers high-resolution audio without compressing the original file quality. Compared to traditional FLAC, Tidal's HiRes FLAC allows music streaming at resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, preserving the original sound details as closely as possible.  

On top of that, Tidal has also made price adjustments to make HiRes music accessible to more users. In 2024, Tidal combined its HiFi and HiFi Plus plans into a single subscription tier, now called TIDAL. The price for this plan has been reduced to $10.99 per month (Individual), making it more affordable than the previous tiers. This subscription provides access to Tidal's entire catalog, including HiRes FLAC and other high-fidelity formats.

Now, you know that Tidal has shifted the highest sound quality from MQA to HiRes FLAC, you may wonder: what's the difference between MQA and HiRes FLAC?

Put it simply, MQA was designed to deliver high-quality sound with smaller file sizes, using lossy compression. In contrast, HiRes FLAC is a truly lossless format, meaning there is no compression, and the files are typically larger but contain the full audio spectrum of the original recording. Below is a detailed comparison between Tidal HiRes FLAC and MQA:

Generally speaking, MQA offers some convenience with smaller file sizes, the uncompressed nature of HiRes FLAC provides a more accurate and authentic listening experience, closer to what the artist intended. Additionally, HiRes FLAC is compatible with a broader range of devices and platforms, making it a more flexible option for most users.

However, which one is better or worse is a matter of opinion. If you prefer a wide range of compatibility with the high-quality audio, HiRes FLAC is a better choice. While, if you're inclined to stream high-resolution audio in a smaller file size, MQA is a perfect pick.

Part 2. How to Get Tidal HiRes FLAC Music on Desktop/Mobile

To get Tidal HiRes FLAC audio on Tidal, you should make sure you have a TIDAL plan, whether it's an individual plan or a family plan, each plan has access to HiRes FLAC tracks on Tidal. If you're new to Tidal, you can start a 30-day free trial or a 60-day trial for 2 dollars.

Meanwhile, you should make sure you have a device that supports high-quality audio playback, such as a digital audio player or a smartphone with a high-quality DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to handle high-resolution audio files. Then with your TIDAL subscription, you're officially ready to go.

Enable the HiRes FLAC Audio Setting on Desktop:

1. On your PC or Mac, launch the Tidal desktop to log in with a TIDAL account.
2. Click the horizontal 3 dots, and choose Settings.



3. Under 'General', select the 'Max' option, which now streams HiRes FLAC music.



4. Go to the HiRes track or any track you want to check if it's supported by HiRes quality audio. You can also click the Now Playing bar at the bottom of your screen, click the current Streaming Quality, and select the Max option.



5. Once the Max quality audio is enabled, it will take effect from the next playback.
6. If the track you play doesn't support Max quality, the audio quality will be automatically switched to High (16-bit, 44.1 kHz).

Enable the HiRes Audio Setting on Mobile:

Part 3. How to Find Tidal HiRes FLAC Music on Desktop/Mobile

As stated, TIDAL members can access HiRes FLAC music if you've set the audio quality to Max quality. However, not every song on Tidal supports HiRes quality which is greater than 16-bit, 44.1 kHz even if you choose the Max quality. The highest quality of a song depends on the source file sent by the artist, label, or distributor. Therefore, finding Tidal HiRes FLAC music is just as important as setting up your streaming preferences.

Search for HiRes Music on Desktop/Mobile:

1. On your PC or mobile phone, open the Tidal app.
2. Enter 'HiRes' in the Tidal search bar.



3. You will see there's a genre for HiRes music, click on it.

Part 4. How to Download Tidal HiRes FLAC Music [without Subscription]

While the HiRes tracks are readily available for online streaming and offline listening with a TIDAL subscription, there's a caveat to consider: the inaccessibility of the HiRes tracks on mobile devices as they are encrypted in digital rights management. Meaning that you cannot transfer them to other devices for sharing.

If you want to listen to these HiRes quality Tidal tracks on multiple devices without a TIDAL subscription, you can consider using ViWizard Tidal Music Converter. To save time and effort, ViWizard Tidal Music Converter emerges as an even more optimal solution, especially for those who are using computers. This tool offers a convenient way to convert and download HiRes tracks off Tidal for personal use while preserving 100% lossless audio quality. With just a few clicks, you can save them in universal formats like MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AAC, or FLAC, and transfer them using your preferred method, such as syncing with your smartphone or tablet.

Key Features of ViWizard Tidal Music Converter

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• Download any Tidal content, including songs, albums, playlists, and artists
• Support exporting Tidal music to MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, and M4B
• Preserve a whole set of ID3 tag information in the downloaded Tidal songs
• Handle the conversion of Tidal music up to 5× faster speed and in batch

Step 1Add HiRes FLAC tracks

Start by downloading and installing the ViWizard Tidal Music Converter on your computer. After installation, launch ViWizard, and the Tidal desktop app will be automatically launched. To access your Tidal music library, you'll need to log in to your Tidal account within the Tidal desktop app. Browse or search for the HiRes tracks you want to download and drag and drop them to ViWizard's main interface.

Step 2Adjust output format

Once you've added the desired HiRes tracks to the conversion list, configure some settings. Click on the menu icon in the upper-right corner > Preferences > Convert > Format, and set the desired format from the dropdown menu. Click on the OK button to save.

Step 3Download HiRes FLAC tracks

You can then initiate the conversion process by clicking on the Convert button. ViWizard will start downloading the HiRes tracks from Tidal, converting them to the specified format and quality (HiRes FLAC), and saving them to your designated output directory on your computer.

Step 4Play Tidal Music in HiRes FLAC.

Now, you can play the downloaded HiRes music on your desktop without the Tidal app. You can also listen to the HiRes FLAC files to any device you want by using a cable cord to transfer the files from your desktop to your mobile devices.

Part 5. FAQs about Tidal HiRes FLAC

Part 6. Conclusion

Tidal's move from MQA to HiRes FLAC has brought some significant advantages, including better audio quality, wider compatibility, and reduced licensing costs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up, find, and download HiRes FLAC tracks to enjoy crystal-clear sound quality. If you want to listen to Tidal HiRes Flac anytime, anywhere, without restrictions, don't forget to download and use ViWizard Tidal Music Converter.