Digital Music Services

[Snipeye]

This is a question for you audiophiles out there, and those who want the best bang for the buck. If you can imagine it, I'm still using and playing my 120GB Zune Player from Microsoft and STILL using it Zune Music Pass ($15/mo) to get my music fix and download all the music I want (as well as sync any videos I want to it as well).

Here's the question: Is there any comparable service that I can use that will
1. Allow me to download music on a subscription plan? ($15/mo)
2. Offer unlimited downloads on the subscription plan (but I do not own)
3. Be able to sync to an android device (smartphone or player)
4. Is not iTunes (if you're going to complain about this requirement, I will have your comment deleted).

Sub-question
In case of the death of my ZunePlayer, what is actually out there that is comparable or good to get that won't cost an arm and a leg? I honestly do not like to use my phone for music/podcasts as it drains my battery even faster. And before you say get a better phone, I'm using Verizon's unlimited data plan still. For those who don't understand the implications, it means if I get a new phone with a new 2 year contract, I lose my plan. And before you say you really don't need it, I don't care. I want it, and it IS useful for me to keep it going. Which means if I want a new phone, I need to pay the retail price for it.

 

[_Sushi]

By download do you mean being able to have the mp3 files or being able to have them downloaded and they're encrypted and you may only listen to them while your subscription is active in the service's music player?

 

[Snipeye]

By download do you mean being able to have the mp3 files or being able to have them downloaded and they're encrypted and you may only listen to them while your subscription is active in the service's music player?

Either, though the latter is how Zune Pass works.

 

[Insane_Penquin]

Sub-question
In case of the death of my ZunePlayer, what is actually out there that is comparable or good to get that won't cost an arm and a leg?

buy another zune on ebay, that's what I did when mine died.

 

[Snipeye]

buy another zune on ebay, that's what I did when mine died.

Cheapest is around $350...

 

[_Sushi]

The main options IMO are:

Spotify
Pros

• Big library (pretty much tied with Rdio)
• Everyone else uses it so if you want the social features look no further
• Most tracks available at 320 Kbps (highest quality you can get for streaming lossy audio)
• Impressive iOS and Android apps
• Yeah, you can download the stuff

Cons:

• Mediocre desktop app
• Mediocre webapp (nice looking but it doesn't let you stream at 320 Kbps IIRC)

Rdio
Pros

• Big library (pretty much tied with Spotify)
• Everything is consistently 256 Kbps (comparable to spotify's 320 Kbps because they use AAC, IIRC)
• Amazing iOS app, Good Android app
• Yeah, you can download the stuff
• Very good web app (gorgeous)

Cons

• Terrible desktop app: buggy and doesn't let you download tracks. It's basically the web app (which is very good) embedded in a program (which means there isn't any point in downloading the program)
• 256 Kbps may not sound as good as MOG or Spotify's 320 Kbps even though it is definitely high quality

MOG
Pros

• EVERYTHING is 320 Kbps MP3
• The apps work

Cons

• Web app very ugly
• Mobile apps very ugly
• Collection smaller than Rdio or Spotify

All of these services are priced the same $10/month for mobile listening which is better than whatever your Zune has. (according to you it costs $15/month)

Your best option could be just doing a trial of all 3 services and seeing how it goes.

 

[Bladed]

You know Napster is still around and they actually merged with Rhapsody recently. I don't have any experience with it, but I am throwing that out there for ya!

 

[Snipeye]

Either I'm psychic or this is one hell of a coincidence... Just got this in my email:

Update: Beginning as early as November 22, 2013, Zune Marketplace will no longer support rental and purchase of content

We recently notified you that with the Fall 2013 release of the Xbox 360 update, Microsoft Points are being retired. This email is a confirmation that as part of this update, Zune Marketplace will no longer support rental and purchase of content, or browsing movies and TV shows, beginning as early as November 22, 2013.

If you have a remaining Microsoft Points balance, you can transition your Microsoft account from Microsoft Points to local currency by initiating a purchase or redeeming a Microsoft Points card or code on your Xbox 360, or in the Video app or Music app on a Windows 8.1 tablet or PC. At that time, we?ll add to your account an amount of currency equal to or greater than the Xbox stores value of your Microsoft Points. Beginning as early as November 22, you can also transition your account to local currency by initiating a purchase or redeeming a Microsoft Points card on your Xbox One or at XboxVideo.com.

For video, you can now rent and buy the latest blockbuster movies and TV shows using your local currency on Xbox Video. Xbox Video is available now on your Xbox 360, or Windows 8.1 and RT PCs and tablets. It will also be available on the web at XboxVideo.com and your Xbox One starting November 22, and on Windows Phone 8 as early as this holiday. And, the video content you?ve purchased through Zune Marketplace will be available to you on all of these Xbox Video stores.

For music, you can purchase your favorite songs and albums, including the latest new releases, using your local currency on Windows 8.1 PCs and tablets.

If you have further questions about your Microsoft account, please visit http://www.xbox.com/support.

For more information on Xbox Video, please visit http://www.xbox.com/video.

For more information on Xbox Music, please visit http://www.xbox.com/music.

Sincerely,
The Xbox Music & Video Team

 

[Blue Stealth]

Sub-question
In case of the death of my ZunePlayer, what is actually out there that is comparable or good to get that won't cost an arm and a leg? I honestly do not like to use my phone for music/podcasts as it drains my battery even faster. And before you say get a better phone, I'm using Verizon's unlimited data plan still. For those who don't understand the implications, it means if I get a new phone with a new 2 year contract, I lose my plan. And before you say you really don't need it, I don't care. I want it, and it IS useful for me to keep it going. Which means if I want a new phone, I need to pay the retail price for it.

Cowon makes excellent music players.

I own the X7 and S9, both of which are awesome.

If you have the money to spare and use lossless audio codecs, I recommend Astell & Kern.

Hope you find what you're looking for. If you have any questions, I used to have a Zune as well, and had to go through some of the same transitioning as you a couple years back.

-Blue