So it’s an “audiophile” service for jazz and classical music?
Apart from wondering how much more ”audiophile” it is from what’s already available, what’s the point of the genre restriction?
I’d like to hear why NAIM thinks its such a good idea.
As a music lover who listens to classical and jazz only it could be of interest to me. I am with Tidal atm which is a few pounds per month more expensive but the difference is too small to talk about. I like that Presto is a UK company, but I have looked online and it has only 44 employees. Can it possibly establish itself in the international market and retain a position? I recall an earlier classical-only service which was taken over by Apple. This one might be too, or by one of the others. Whilst it survives it offers another non-Apple streaming service which can be used with non-Apple high-resolution streamers. So it is a welcome arrival in the market and I will watch its evolution with much interest.
Whilst I don’t use Presto for streaming, I do purchase most of my classical downloads from them. I have also bought classical CDs from them, both from their shop in Leamington (well worth a visit if you’re nearby), and by mail order. Their service is excellent. They are true specialists in their field and offer expert advice if needed. I have no connection with them otherwise but would happily recommend them. I can’t say whether their streaming is better than others, but I believe they deserve support. Their catalogue in both these genres is substantial.
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So do I, but, 17 days on from the exhortation to upgrade our firmware, still nothing for a Mu-So 2, and no explanation.
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For me, it will depend on the quality of Presto’s search engine for classical.
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Not used it myself but it’s supposed to have much better organised search function. Looking for particular pieces of classical music on Qobuz can be a massive PITA
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Presto is one of those companies started and run by music enthusiasts which I’m happy to support. The story of its evolution from a classical sheet music and instrument shop in Leamington Spa to the company it is today can be found online and is worth a read. One attraction for me is how it pays for the music it streams in particular that it pays per second rather than per track. When classical tracks can easily be half an hour or more, that can make a big difference.
Their online shop has long been my go to site for classical downloads, so when their streaming service became available on my Linn DSM I signed up for the free trial and will definitely continue when that ends. On SQ, it sounds fine to me and comparable with Qobuz, but I have not yet got round to a careful comparison of SQ between Presto and Qobuz. The user experience is certainly much nicer. Whilst not quite perfect, I do find search for classical music much easier than Qobuz and the curation and review articles are more interesting than I expected. A big bonus for me is that with many of the albums the CD booklet is available.
I’m hoping they continue to grow and thrive and am waiting patiently for Presto to arrive on my Naim boxes.
Roger
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It makes me wonder if access to HD quality streaming is vastly more common among jazz and/or classical listeners otherwise Presto would be cutting off their own nose to spite their face, I would have thought.
I have eclectic taste so it’s too restrictive for me.
Presto’s streaming service has been around for over three years. It’s the integration into Naim and Linn streamers that’s new.
Classical music listeners have been poorly served by streaming services such as Qobuz, but it’s not fundamentally about streaming quality, rather curation and how easy it is to search. Using the Presto app is so much more pleasant than Qobuz. Than Tidal and Spotify, too, I suspect.
For the time being at least, I’m planning to keep my Qobuz subscription for non-classical and jazz, alongside Presto but for someone for whom those genres are just a small proportion of their listening, I can’t see it being worth subscribing. Horses for courses and all that.
Roger
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How strange. I feel total opposite. Horrible UI/UX with Presto.
Not strange at all, we’re all different. I suspect you’re a lot cleverer than me at searching Qobuz or whatever you use but if I’m looking for, say, a particular Mozart string quartet or Schubert lied by particular performers I frequently come close to giving up. I find it’s much quicker and more effective in the Presto app. A much nicer experience.
Roger
Is it a requirement to use the Naim app to stream Presto on Naim devices, or does Presto have their own app with connect capabilities. There is no Roon integration.
I’m just curious. I listen to jazz and classical almost exclusively using Qobuz, but I no longer use Naim streaming in my main system. Just in my office system with the Atom, and a Mu-so 2 and Qb2.
I don’t listen to classical music that might be the thing. Only jazz here.
I guess that explains it. I’m not sure how much extra value over Qobuz it has for jazz. I’ve found Qobuz OK for the relatively small amount of jazz I listen to. When it started 40 years ago Presto was classical only and actually known as Presto Classical. I think they added jazz around 10 years ago.
Roger
@davidhendon is the specialist of Presto. I think he was the first to open a thread on it when it appeared. Maybe he can respond to your question.
My feeling, as Presto is not integrated for now in your Weiss streamer, you can have it only with something like Mconnect app. As for Roon, I don’t know.
It’s a Connect type service. If you click on Presto streaming in the Naim app it opens the Presto app (I presume you need to download it if not already done so) and you control things with the Presto app. Linn have done it the other way and integrated Presto into the Linn app. I prefer the Naim implementation, but then I do like the Presto app.
There’s a three month free trial, so costless to give it a go.
Roger
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He has a Weiss 501, with Roon.
Presto has its own app. This is it playing:
The volume and other controls operate the Naim seamlessly. The device option tells Presto where to send the music. You could try it with your Atom now, and the mu-so firmware update is on its way.
If you wanted to use it with your main system you’d buy Presto’s own high res streamer - the UK version costs £80 and there is a US version too - and connect it to your Weiss DAC.
And “Naim devices” including an Atom which already has Presto and Muso 2 and QB2 which will soon, I understand.
Roger
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OK. Thanks. I was just curious. Since Presto isn’t supported for my main hifi system (I have a Weiss DAC501 as noted by @frenchrooster). I don’t see any point trying it on my Atom and Mu-so 2/Qb2 if I don’t use it on my main system.
What I like about using Roon and Qobuz Connect is I can use the desktop apps on my MacBook Air. I hate using an iPhone as a remote for anything.