Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Tidal Geographic Pricing

Why is it that UK pays far more than America for subscription?

What makes it worse is it's not just Tidal. Any comment appreciated.

Just the way it is I'm afraid. One just has to decide if access to a massive archive of music at CD quality is worth it. I was initially troubled by this.

If I had to build my library again at retail price, it would be unaffordable in one go.
I think that it's a bargain, especially if your young and wish to delve into the Rock archive.

It's all there, instantly.
Try hunting some of this music down.

Personally, I like owning my current physical library. It's mine and if the net goes down I can still play it. But I love the ability to dig out archive material I don't own almost instantly.

The trouble is, I then want to track it down and own it.
For new albums, it's great to be able to listen on release. Also it's great to try music suggested by others without extra outlay.

I know you can do this free on Spotify but I want the sound quality. Musicians do need paying as well.

Ramblings, Chris 😎

+1
Totally agree with Chris.
I took the 3 month trial on offer with Tidal expecting to ditch it at the end of the evaluation period.

Now it would be one of the hardest things to give up.
I own most things I couldn't live without for peace of mind and security. But I still use Tidal for finding things I nearly bought as a teenager all those years ago, as well as new discoveries and others' recommendations.

That aspect has been the most unexpected and pleasant experience. I've now really widened my listening tastes.

So, from total sceptic I'm now fully converted and think it's worth the money.

Though I wouldn't say no to halving it

You're quite right in that it, and other music sites are a triumph to computer technology and I admit good value, but my question is why should us in the UK pay more for the privilege?
Perhaps a UK ban for 1 month might shake them up🙂
Or perhaps Meridian could set up 1 in the UK and charge the Americans twice as much.

Vote for the Euro currency.

The immediate defence of the Tidal pricing structure on the basis that it's quite good and you're happy to pay what they charge rather misses the point that their pricing structure stinks. £20 in the UK £13.90 in the US and something between in the EU. Have they had to install some special infrastructure to account for the extra cost we pay? Do we have extra content? Does the currency exchange or admin costs of having UK subscribers justify this? Perhaps British artists are paid a higher rate by Tidal if their music is played? Yeah Right.

I too had the 3 month free Tidal subscription and to be honest, I expected/hoped to be won over and sheepishly continue paying the UK subscription rate. But I wasn't, and a large part of it was that the pricing structure is lazy and unjustified (IMHO) and basically a rip-off if you happen to buy your groceries in Sterling.

Is VAT part of the price?

It's already set up and in America. It's called Meridian USA. If they level up the hardware price playing field at the same time, I could afford to treat all my friends to Tidal subscriptions, for what I would save on a pair of SEs. I think JayZ just took a page out of the mothership's playbook.

8kSEs at $43,000 GBPwould be $86,000 USD using your 2/1 proposed ratio. Today's1.42 to1 exchange rate would indicate that $85,000 SEs8K would be $60,000 GBP. Let us poor Americans have a deal from Jay Z. Coincidentally the UK price, $43,000 GBP X 1.42 = $61,000. Do you see a pattern here? As Jay Z says, pay backs a B---h!💸😏

It's worse than that. VAT is 20% in Europe, so the pre-VAT price of 8kSE's is:

43000/1.2 GBP = 35,833 GBP * 1.42 exchange rate = $50,833. $35,000 is a lot for import duties, shipping etc.

It's good to hear from those across the water. Although I simpathise with you as regards the hardware. I'm not sure if the units are made in the US if they are then I'm with you on the price hike.

However, Apple, Spotify, and Tidal to name but 3 all charge more for the same service.
I enjoy these services but I won't be paying... well maybe once my free options run out, probably in about a year.😀

He got 99 problems but the Brits ain't one💰🎉

In South Africa, the full monty tidal service is $9.99 well that's what *I* am paying.