Napster replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
connoisseur
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2009
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I just logged in to my Napster Canada account and received a notice that the service is shutting down. Arrrgh. Now I am looking for a good replacement service. I have been happy with Napster for a few years now so didn't bother checking out other services.
Any recommendations for a replacement service that has good quality streaming and let's me choose what I want to listen to specifically? (i.e. not a Pandora or Aupeo style service). I am willing to pay a subscription fee.
Thanks!
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 912 Likes: 4
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 912 Likes: 4 |
I just logged in to my Napster Canada account and received a notice that the service is shutting down. Arrrgh. Now I am looking for a good replacement service. I have been happy with Napster for a few years now so didn't bother checking out other services.
Any recommendations for a replacement service that has good quality streaming and let's me choose what I want to listen to specifically? (i.e. not a Pandora or Aupeo style service). I am willing to pay a subscription fee.
Thanks! A couple of months ago I purchased a stereo internet radio from a company("Grace Digital Audio", Canadian HQ in Peterborough). It is quite amazing to see what you can receive, even for free, when you have access to all the streaming methods; MP3 Tunes,Sirius XM Internet radio(mthly fee), 365.com etc. Unlike Pandora and Rhapsody, the fore mentioned are available in Canada. Check out the Grace Digital Audio website, it gives a good rundown of what services are available on the web.
Last edited by casey01; 11/29/11 04:31 PM.
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
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Thanks Casey. I took a look into them but they appear to be focused on internet radio which is not what I am lacking in my current setup. As a replacement to Napster (play what I want when I want) I have uncovered potentially Slacker Radio (with a premium subscription) or Rdio services. Does anybody use these services? Any feedback on them or other suggestions?
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
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Well, in case somebody out there is interested, I went ahead with the Slacker option so we can keep the tunes flowing along with the beverages over the Xmas holidays. Slacker premium service was the same price as Napster ($10 per month) and lets me do everything Napster did plus is better suited to exploring new music such as similar artists/songs. Also has a Pandora like 'build a radio station' structure. Seems OK so far. It's not audiophile quality (128kbps MP3 streaming) but will do for casual listening and party background music.
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Sounds like I might have to try it out myself, thanks.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,703
connoisseur
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connoisseur
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Is Spotify available in Canada? Their app/interface is average at best but their content is great.
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Just checked and it is not available in Canada yet. However it looks like they're gearing up for a Canadian launch so I'll be watching and will check it out when it becomes available.
Thanks for the suggestion.
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
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Update - I've been using Slacker for a couple of weeks now. I have to say I am impressed with the functionality. I get way more than I ever did with Napster for the same $10 per month. Content seems to be good so far. The UI is a bit confusing at 1st, but as with anything, once you figure it out it's ok. What really impressed me is the ability to cache radio stations or playlists onto my blackberry. You can do this over WiFi so when you're travelling and not in wifi range you can listen to the locally cached songs. I thought that was really cool. I have been on a Porcupine Tree kick for a few weeks and have built a radio station centered around them and discovering other similar style artists. I was really happy to cache this discovery of music and listen in my hotel room last night without incurring any extra data costs. So far this is looking like a keeper.
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
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Another update - several weeks later still using Slacker. I am not as impressed with the online content, there seems to be several labels that won't allow streaming in Canada, although main stream stuff is there and lots of fringe too - I just see many list items greyed out as I troll around on a discovery quest. It still keeps the music discovery happening though which is what is important to me. However now that I am building up a history what I find neat is that I have a long list of songs from many genres that I have flagged as 'loved'. With a couple of clicks I am listening to a radio station that is based on all of my favourite songs - so it plays those songs plus I can let the station wander around a bit for even more exploration. I know none of of this is really ground breaking but it is really working for me. Since Pandora is just not an option in Canada (well officially anyway ). Cheers,
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Re: Napster replacement?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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there seems to be several labels that won't allow streaming in Canada So much for Free Trade. Bren R.
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