How to Use Tidal on Hidizs AP80 Pro-X/Pro – 3 Ways

TL;DR: How to Play Tidal on Hidizs AP80 Pro-X?

Since Hidizs players lack Wi-Fi, you cannot install the Tidal app directly. However, you can enjoy Tidal on your AP80 Pro-X in 3 ways:

• Via Bluetooth: Stream Tidal from your phone wirelessly. The AP80 Pro-X supports high-res codecs like LDAC and aptX for great sound quality.
• As a USB DAC: Connect the AP80 Pro-X to your PC or phone via USB-C to leverage its dual ESS9219C chips for native Tidal MQA 8x unfolding.
• Offline via SD Card: Use a third-party Tidal music converter to download tracks as FLAC/MP3 and transfer them to the player’s MicroSD card.

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Streaming high-quality music has become a popular choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. Tidal, known for its high-fidelity audio, has gained a significant following. If you’re a proud owner of a Hidizs music player, you might be wondering how to use Tidal on your device since it lacks a native app. In this article, we will explore 3 solid methods to stream Tidal on the Hidizs AP80 Pro-X/Pro, whether you want to go wireless, use it as an MQA DAC, or play files offline.

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Part 1. Compatibility of Hidizs Tidal

Hidizs, renowned for producing superior and affordable pocket HiFi audio devices like the AP80, AP80 Pro, and AP80 Pro-X, enjoys a strong following among audio enthusiasts. These devices are fully equipped to handle high-fidelity audio, including Tidal MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) files.

However, it’s important to clarify: Hidizs players do not support Wi-Fi or Android third-party apps. This means you cannot download or launch the Tidal app directly on the device itself. To bypass this limitation, you must utilize the player’s Bi-directional Bluetooth, its USB DAC function, or play local files via the micro-SD card slot. Let’s break down exactly how to do each.

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Part 2. Play Tidal on Hidizs AP80 Pro-X via Bluetooth

The simplest way to make your Hidizs AP80 Pro-X work with Tidal is through Bluetooth. You can stream Tidal from your smartphone directly to the Hidizs device. Since the AP80 Pro-X supports bi-directional Bluetooth 4.2 with advanced codecs like Sony LDAC, CSR aptX, and HiBy UAT, you won’t suffer from the massive audio degradation typical of standard Bluetooth connections.

Step 1. Turn on Bluetooth on your Hidizs device. This can usually be done by accessing the settings menu or by swiping up the lock screen to open the home screen and clicking on the Bluetooth icon.

Step 2. Enable Bluetooth on your mobile device or any other Bluetooth-enabled device that you want to connect to your Hidizs player.

Step 3. On your mobile device, search for available Bluetooth devices and select your Hidizs AP80 player from the list of available devices.

Step 4. Open the Tidal app on your mobile device and start playing the music you want to listen to. The Tidal audio will be transmitted wirelessly to your Hidizs player via Bluetooth.

Step 5. Once the connection is established, you can listen to Tidal music over Bluetooth on your Hidizs AP80 Pro player through your headphones or speakers.

💥Tip: Please note that the range of your mobile device’s Bluetooth connection should be within range of your Hidizs player. Also, ensure that your Hidizs player is charged and turned on before attempting to pair it with your device.

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Part 3. Use AP80 Pro-X as a USB DAC (MQA Unfolding) 🔥

If you want the absolute best audio quality and want to take advantage of Tidal’s Master (MQA) tier, Bluetooth won’t cut it. Fortunately, the Hidizs AP80 Pro-X isn’t just a player; it’s an incredible external USB DAC powered by dual ESS9219C chips capable of native 8x MQA unfolding.

How to Connect and Decode MQA:

• Step 1. Use a high-quality USB-C to USB-C OTG cable to connect the AP80 Pro-X to your smartphone or PC.
• Step 2. On the Hidizs screen, set the USB mode to Audio (DAC Mode).
• Step 3. Open Tidal on your phone or computer.
• Step 4. When prompted, allow Tidal to take Exclusive Access of the USB audio device. Play a Master track, and the Hidizs screen will indicate that an MQA file is being decoded.

💥 Important Note for Android Users: The native Tidal app on Android sometimes struggles with direct USB exclusive control. If your AP80 Pro-X isn’t unfolding MQA properly via your phone, you should install HiBy Music or USB Audio Player PRO (UAPP). These apps easily bypass Android’s internal audio processing and send a bit-perfect stream to your Hidizs DAC.

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Part 4. How to Stream Tidal on All Hidizs Players Offline

If you prefer to leave your phone behind and just carry your Hidizs player with an SD card full of music, you will need to download your Tidal tracks locally. Since Tidal’s official offline mode only works within their app, you can use a dedicated tool like AudKit Tidal Music Converter.

This software allows you to download and convert Tidal music into standard files (MP3, FLAC, WAV) that are fully compatible with Hidizs players. It preserves the lossless HiFi/Master audio quality and retains all ID3 tags.

How to Play Tidal on All Hidizs Players Offline

Step 1. Install AudKit Tidal Music Converter on your computer. Open the software and copy the URL links of Tidal songs, playlists, or albums you want to play on your Hidizs AP80. Paste the URL links into the search bar of AudKit Tidal Music Converter and click the “+” button to add them.

Step 2. Tap on the “Menu“tab, select the “Preferences” > “Convert“option, and then you’ll see a pop-up window. Here you can customize the output format for your Tidal music and set the channel, bitrate, and sample rate to get better audio quality on Hidizs.

Step 3. Click the “Convert” button to start the conversion process. AudKit Tidal Music Converter will download and convert the Tidal music to the selected format. Then transfer the converted Tidal music files to an SD card and insert the card into your Hidizs player. Now you can enjoy Tidal music on your Hidizs player offline, without the need for a Tidal subscription.

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Part 4. Alternative DAC Options for Tidal on Hidizs

If you’re looking to enhance the audio quality of your Tidal playback on Hidizs players, exploring alternative DAC options is worth considering. External Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) can provide improved sound reproduction and better audio resolution. Some popular DAC choices for Tidal are listed below.

1. Mytek Brooklyn DAC+: This high-end DAC is known for its exceptional sound quality, wide sound field, and dynamic range. It is designed to provide true 32-bit audio processing with DoP support and deliver low noise-density sound. The Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ is a top choice for Tidal MQA decoding and is priced at $2,195.

2. SMSL M500 MQA DAC: The SMSL M500 is a budget-friendly option that offers MQA file unfolding for Tidal streaming. It is highly competent in unfolding MQA files cleanly and costs less than $500, making it a cost-effective choice for Tidal enthusiasts.

3. Bluesound NODE 2i DAC: The Bluesound NODE 2i DAC is another option for Tidal streaming, known for its quality maintenance and high output drive capability. It is a versatile DAC suitable for Tidal playback and offers a good balance between performance and price.

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Part 5. In Conclusion

While Hidizs players don’t have native Wi-Fi or Tidal app integration, you are far from out of luck. You can stream Tidal wirelessly via LDAC Bluetooth, use the AP80 Pro-X as a powerful USB DAC to unfold MQA 8x natively, or prepare offline local files using the AudKit Tidal Music Converter. Try out the method that best fits your listening setup and unlock the true potential of your portable HiFi player.

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