Qobuz Discussion Thread

[Tobes]

  On 19/04/2021 at 10:40 AM, John0001 said:

The UI and overall feel of Audirvana are definitely much less sophisticated than Roon.

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That's putting it kindly. 

Audirvana looks and feels 10yrs older and lacks many of the features of Roon.

Only gets used by me when I'm testing stuff. 

 

  On 19/04/2021 at 10:49 AM, Grizaudio said:

If Spotify comes out with lossless, I'll simply use the Spotify app and stream to my Ropieee XL Streamer via connect.

I would have no need for Roon, I only use it as a connect transport, for Tidal and Qobuz. 

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Don't think I'll ever understand the love for Spotify, and I say this as a Premium subscriber for mobile convenience and family use. 

The way I see it they are two steps behind Qobuz at present (no CD or HR quality). Have they ever stated they'd move into Hi-res? Non-starter for me without that feature.

Their desktop apps lack any ability to optimise SQ either - do you reckon that will change? 

If they allowed integration with Roon that could be interesting, but can't see that happening.

[Jakeyb77_Redux]

  On 19/04/2021 at 12:03 PM, Tobes said:

That's putting it kindly. 

Audirvana looks and feels 10yrs older and lacks many of the features of Roon.

Only gets used by me when I'm testing stuff. 

 

Don't think I'll ever understand the love for Spotify, and I say this as a Premium subscriber for mobile convenience and family use. 

The way I see it they are two steps behind Qobuz at present (no CD or HR quality). Have they ever stated they'd move into Hi-res? Non-starter for me without that feature.

Their desktop apps lack any ability to optimise SQ either - do you reckon that will change? 

If they allowed integration with Roon that could be interesting, but can't see that happening.

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as explained in many posts, Spotify has over 300 million customers most of which are using it for lo res on the go streaming. 
There is not much financial motivation to cater for the very small community of Hi-Res users. As you’ve pointed out, you’re willing to also pay for another service for that. Not judging I have both too. 
it’s just the simple maths of it in practice 

Edited April 19, 2021 by Jack Goff

[Chris.chapterten]

  On 19/04/2021 at 11:04 AM, wolster said:

This confirms it for me. Goodbye Tidal and, looking at those figures, maybe I should also say goodbye to Spotify.

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I hadn’t been able to find this information before... but I feel exactly the same way, would much rather support a service that is making more of an effort to support artists!

[Tobes]

  On 19/04/2021 at 12:09 PM, Jack Goff said:

There is not much financial motivation to cater for the very small community of Hi-Res users.

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Yes, I fully realise that the majority of Spotify users have zero interest in Hi-res - and very small proportion of users have any interest in 16/44 either. I was saying Spotify is unlikely to pursue Hi-res.

When I ask people at my workplace they have never even heard of Tidal or Qobuz - they wonder why anyone would want such a service.

I guess what surprises me is that, especially on a Hi-fi enthusiast forum, folks would still consider Spotify for their primary streaming source - especially when a service like Qobuz is a measly $7/mo more. Yeah I know there may be other factors involved, like catalog deficits and (apparently) user interface familiarity.

[Chris.chapterten]

  On 19/04/2021 at 12:46 PM, Tobes said:

Yes, I fully realise that the majority of Spotify users have zero interest in Hi-res - and very small proportion of users have any interest in 16/44 either. I was saying Spotify is unlikely to pursue Hi-res.

When I ask people at my workplace they have never even heard of Tidal or Qobuz - they wonder why anyone would want such a service.

I guess what surprises me is that, especially on a Hi-fi enthusiast forum, folks would still consider Spotify for their primary streaming source - especially when a service like Qobuz is a measly $7/mo more. Yeah I know there may be other factors involved, like catalog deficits and (apparently) user interface familiarity.

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My guess is that a big part of the appeal is the radio functionality... a lot of casual music listeners might just want the music as background ambience without having to give much thought to creating their own playlists etc. Spotify is probably the best at that.. Tidal offers some basic artist radio feature too...  but if you want that with Qobuz it looks like you would have to add Roon on top for the Radio-like functionality. At that point it is more than just $7 more expensive and a bit more involved than just downloading the Spotify app and being done with it in quick time.. 

[Tobes]

  On 19/04/2021 at 1:04 PM, Chris.chapterten said:

but if you want that with Qobuz it looks like you would have to add Roon on top for the Radio-like functionality. At that point it is more than just $7 more expensive and a bit more involved than just downloading the Spotify app and being done with it in quick time.. 

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That's true.

Then again Roon offers an experience beyond Spotify IMO.

I can't see the general public being interested in Roon for the reasons you mention.

However I suspect most people here are music enthusiasts - heck I spent more on a Rolling Stones vinyl box set than on my Lifetime Roon subscription. So in that context Roon is pretty good value.

Now that I've sorted out my Roon/Qobuz issues and am back using Roon, I regret the comment I made above questioning whether I'd buy it again (given the competence of the Qobuz app), There are features here I wouldn't want to be without. 

[Chris.chapterten]

  On 19/04/2021 at 1:21 PM, Tobes said:

That's true.

Then again Roon offers an experience beyond Spotify IMO.

I can't see the general public being interested in Roon for the reasons you mention.

However I suspect most people here are music enthusiasts - heck I spent more on a Rolling Stones vinyl box set than on my Lifetime Roon subscription. So in that context Roon is pretty good value.

Now that I've sorted out my Roon/Qobuz issues and am back using Roon, I regret the comment I made above questioning whether I'd buy it again (given the competence of the Qobuz app), There are features here I wouldn't want to be without. 

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For sure! After seeing that Qobuz pays more to artists and hearing your positive feedback on Roon, that looks like the direction I’ll be taking too. I really want that radio functionality for when I have guests over with different tastes and just want some background ambience. Using it as a way to discover new music would also be a great bonus.

[08Boss302]

If Qobuz comes through with a radio service it lifts the game considerably.  I think the Spotify affection is also borne out of the fact it offers suggestions in line with actual listening habits.  Tidal offers CD quality but also rams the owners musical tastes down your throat and rarely curates or suggests something that matched musical tastes or recently listened.  

Apple rarely gets a mention here so I'll bypass them but if you have Spotify and Tidal and used them both the interraction difference between them was enormous.  One would eerily well match suggestions and playlists to your fav artists and similar artists, the other would offer up completely different genres.  How often have you read/heard right here on SnA peoples frustration at Tidals suggestions and UI.  That has improved over the years admittedly but still lags IMHO.

Putting aside SQ for a moment I think thats why there are many that reference Spotify as a great platform - in its functionality (and for people like me who use it on the go, running, walking, gym etc.)  If you use IE BT heaphones you're only going to get 320kbps from any service anyway, OE and using LDAC you will get a max of say 900kbps but chew through data very quick.  Its that onthe go ease, casual listening, mix/radio function that has appeal - YMMV of course.

 

Now, If Qobuz end up going down the path of daily mixes (I can make my own playlists if i choose too) and radio etc AND they build their algorythyms around the subscribers habits I think those that applaud Spotify would happily acknowledge Qobuz as the service to have..

The other factor here is that as mentioned, so many people use FREE Spotify. My daughter is 9, she is on my premium family plan obviously but ALL her friends are on the free version.  When I had family Tidal she couldnt make social playlists etc with them, however on Spotify she can make an open playlist, invite a few friends on they as a group of friends make playlists.  She doesnt need FB or any other social media to do this, she just does it via Spotify.  Again, this is a big catch for kids and why I think Spotify is a goto for many.  I doubt (and understand why) Qobuz would ever want this type of thing.

 

In this household we will retain Spoify Family and I will continue my Qobuz annual subscription.  Its less than $1 a day for me to have Qobuz Hi-Res, I cannot fault that value for essentially a world library of music in CD quality or higher.  Even when Spotify rolls out Hi-Fi, I am highly likely to keep Qobuz for his Hi-Res offerings, I just see it as outstanding value, no hidden wizardry or "musical orgigami " being unpacked/unfolded and as learnt above paying the artists ahead of the pack also.  If Qobuz introduce radio, mixes and or connect then thats a bonus, if not I like how it functions now anyway.

 

 

[Tobes]

  On 19/04/2021 at 9:51 PM, 08Boss302 said:

If Qobuz comes through with a radio service it lifts the game considerably.  I think the Spotify affection is also borne out of the fact it offers suggestions in line with actual listening habits.  Tidal offers CD quality but also rams the owners musical tastes down your throat and rarely curates or suggests something that matched musical tastes or recently listened.  

Apple rarely gets a mention here so I'll bypass them but if you have Spotify and Tidal and used them both the interraction difference between them was enormous.  One would eerily well match suggestions and playlists to your fav artists and similar artists, the other would offer up completely different genres.  How often have you read/heard right here on SnA peoples frustration at Tidals suggestions and UI.  That has improved over the years admittedly but still lags IMHO.

Putting aside SQ for a moment I think thats why there are many that reference Spotify as a great platform - in its functionality (and for people like me who use it on the go, running, walking, gym etc.)  If you use IE BT heaphones you're only going to get 320kbps from any service anyway, OE and using LDAC you will get a max of say 900kbps but chew through data very quick.  Its that onthe go ease, casual listening, mix/radio function that has appeal - YMMV of course.

 

Now, If Qobuz end up going down the path of daily mixes (I can make my own playlists if i choose too) and radio etc AND they build their algorythyms around the subscribers habits I think those that applaud Spotify would happily acknowledge Qobuz as the service to have..

The other factor here is that as mentioned, so many people use FREE Spotify. My daughter is 9, she is on my premium family plan obviously but ALL her friends are on the free version.  When I had family Tidal she couldnt make social playlists etc with them, however on Spotify she can make an open playlist, invite a few friends on they as a group of friends make playlists.  She doesnt need FB or any other social media to do this, she just does it via Spotify.  Again, this is a big catch for kids and why I think Spotify is a goto for many.  I doubt (and understand why) Qobuz would ever want this type of thing.

 

In this household we will retain Spoify Family and I will continue my Qobuz annual subscription.  Its less than $1 a day for me to have Qobuz Hi-Res, I cannot fault that value for essentially a world library of music in CD quality or higher.  Even when Spotify rolls out Hi-Fi, I am highly likely to keep Qobuz for his Hi-Res offerings, I just see it as outstanding value, no hidden wizardry or "musical orgigami " being unpacked/unfolded and as learnt above paying the artists ahead of the pack also.  If Qobuz introduce radio, mixes and or connect then thats a bonus, if not I like how it functions now anyway.

 

 

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Agree with this point for point.

It's exactly why I"ll retain Spotify Premium for OTG and my family's use - but have Roon/Qobuz for serious listening and music exploration.

[BugPowderDust]

  On 19/04/2021 at 10:42 PM, Tobes said:

Agree with this point for point.

It's exactly why I"ll retain Spotify Premium for OTG and my family's use - but have Roon/Qobuz for serious listening and music exploration.

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I’m in a similar boat. I have a family Apple subscription as it doesn’t count to data on our mobile plans with Telstra. It gets used on the road but everything at home is on qobuz or local flac via Roon.

[Esoterica]

I also like having a radio function in a streaming service, but there are many similar options too.

 

I'm not sure if Amazon Prime has a "radio" function per se, but I play their genre playlists sometimes, which are much like 'song radio' on Spotify. For $6or7 per month for a Prime sub, with all it's benefits, it's a no-brainer for me. If I'm doing laundry, I will often listen to my Sonos One which is in that room. Sonos has it's own radio stations, and you can access most music services on it too. Bandcamp being one of the ones I use, which has a similar thing to Amazon, but with emerging artists instead of popular ones, and that is free. You can airplay it, perhaps cast in other ways too? You don't need a Sonos or similar product, just a speaker/receiver with Bluetooth/airplay/chromecast etc.

 

Radio functionality is one thing I like about Spotify, but there are some things I dislike, e.g: it's too generic. But so is Amazon, hence I can use that for background music.

[RockandorRoll]

Signed up.

 

As a long time Spotify Premium member I loved its radio and recommendation functions. I've discovered so many great artists on there. Im not sure i was really missing anything with Spotify.

 

I've recently fired up my Roon server and am discovering all my old artists. Quboz integrates well with Roon so it has become the go to option. I love the Roon interface, but wish it had playback control on the lock screen. I tried Tidal a few years ago and had no issues with that either, it was missing a few albums but that was it.

 

Will be fun playing with it for awhile. I think ill continue to use Spotify in the car, but Qobuz on the system.

[cheekyboy]

Hello folks,

 

I've spent a fair bit of time over the last 3 - 4 days comparing Qobuz with Tidal and I find the Qobuz Hi Res files more to my liking compared to the same MQA file delivered via Tidal................Tidal will definitely be getting the shunt, although I don't find the interface all that much different between the two and the transition to Qobuz was a fairly simple thing, even for me!

 

I have tried a direct comparison with Qobuz Hi Res albums compared to the same album on vinyl and every vinyl album bettered the Qobuz delivery, but I'm finding that the Qobuz Hi Res files are the closest a digital source has come to the vinyl rig that I've heard so far..................I'm actually very impressed with the Qobuz SQ.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

[Ruffter]

Hi all! I signed up for the trial of Qobuz, streaming to a Chromecast Audio from ios. No dramas streaming CD quality, but anyhing higher gives me buffering/gaps in playback. This is with FTTP 230mb/s internet and 5ghz wifi to CCA, so I don’t think the connection is the problem. Anyone else experienced this?

 

cheers,

Andrew

[Tobes]

  On 20/04/2021 at 3:16 AM, Ruffter said:

Hi all! I signed up for the trial of Qobuz, streaming to a Chromecast Audio from ios. No dramas streaming CD quality, but anyhing higher gives me buffering/gaps in playback. This is with FTTP 230mb/s internet and 5ghz wifi to CCA, so I don’t think the connection is the problem. Anyone else experienced this?

 

cheers,

Andrew

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Can't help with your issue, hopefully someone with Chromecast chips in, but shouldn't be your internet connection.

My hobbled FTTN service only manages about 30Mb/s (thanks Liberal party), but I haven't had any buffering since some brief initial issues when the Hi-res titles came online. 

There are sometimes issues with how ISP's prioritise different content - ie streaming services should be given a guaranteed minimum bandwidth to maintain proper service. I remember teething issues with Netflix etc. 

Do you have any problems streaming Hi-res to non-Chromecast ethernet connected end points? 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Tobes

[Chris.chapterten]

If anyone is after an album to compare Tidal to Qobuz that is a bit easier to hear the differences. Try Pain of Salvation - ‘Panther’. The Qobuz Hi-res version of this album sounds completely different to my ears and I am noticing reverb, subtle background ambient noises and acoustic piano notes that I previously thought were electronic keyboard.... 

[Steever]

  On 20/04/2021 at 2:55 AM, cheekyboy said:

Hello folks,

 

I've spent a fair bit of time over the last 3 - 4 days comparing Qobuz with Tidal and I find the Qobuz Hi Res files more to my liking compared to the same MQA file delivered via Tidal................Tidal will definitely be getting the shunt, although I don't find the interface all that much different between the two and the transition to Qobuz was a fairly simple thing, even for me!

 

I have tried a direct comparison with Qobuz Hi Res albums compared to the same album on vinyl and every vinyl album bettered the Qobuz delivery, but I'm finding that the Qobuz Hi Res files are the closest a digital source has come to the vinyl rig that I've heard so far..................I'm actually very impressed with the Qobuz SQ.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

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I did the same this afternoon but use Audirvana as the interface/controller for my Tidal and Qobuz so the GUIs are the same.

I can flick between the two streaming services quickly for same track comparisons.

So far, it's very close to call however, I feel Qobuz is free of a slight haze Tidal MQA tends to have and gives a slightly more intimate sound. Qobuz seems to float freer of the speakers but only just.

I'm still very much liking Tidal and may end up staying for the radio and other convenience and discovery functionality. Time will tell...

Edited April 20, 2021 by Winno

[Steever]

Not sure if raised already but, is anyone having issues with no audio output on 44.1kHz with the web player on a Mac Mini?

Audirvana is fine but the web app will only give audio via 320kbit setting. 44.1 is silent.

Other sites (YT, etc) have no issue.

[RockandorRoll]

  On 20/04/2021 at 3:16 AM, Ruffter said:

Hi all! I signed up for the trial of Qobuz, streaming to a Chromecast Audio from ios. No dramas streaming CD quality, but anyhing higher gives me buffering/gaps in playback. This is with FTTP 230mb/s internet and 5ghz wifi to CCA, so I don’t think the connection is the problem. Anyone else experienced this?

 

cheers,

Andrew

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No hiccups in streaming dropouts. I did have a problem using the inbuilt streamer from Edge, its seems to reduce output to 48khz.

 

Im trying the 192 playlist but am only getting 96khz output streaming from my S6 tablet. Not sure if thats a CCA thing thats dropping the rate.

[Steever]

Did more listening on the main system and the one in the car tonight after the day quietened down (the car system is a fully active and highly resolving three way system).

Qobuz pips Tidal in its ability to render 3D performers within the sound stage space. As also referred to above, Qobuz also seems to lift an ever-so-light veil away from performers and appears slightly more transparent.

 

It's subtle but it's enough for me to consider keeping Qobuz beyond the trial and cancelling my Tidal.

And THANK GOODNESS for Soundiiz.   

Edited April 20, 2021 by Winno

[TerryO]

Not sure if this review has been put up before or not? Anyway in my search to try and find out how Qobuz compares to Tidal I came across this review. It raises lots of points for and against. All I’m trying to find out is which is best, especially with sq.  Yes I will more than likely end up giving it a try but before I jump into anything I like to read as much as I can. Sorry that the link below doesn’t seem to be working, automatically, but for those interested it is a review worth reading.

 

cheers Terry

 

https://www.whathifi.com/au/qobuz/review

Edited April 20, 2021 by TerryO

[08Boss302]

 

  On 20/04/2021 at 6:51 PM, TerryO said:

Not sure if this review has been put up before or not? Anyway in my search to try and find out how Qobuz compares to Tidal I came across this review. It raises lots of points for and against. All I’m trying to find out is which is best, especially with sq.  Yes I will more than likely end up giving it a try but before I jump into anything I like to read as much as I can. Sorry that the link below doesn’t seem to be working, automatically, but for those interested it is a review worth reading.

 

cheers Terry

 

https://www.whathifi.com/au/qobuz/review

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I'd read this a while back, What HiFi also did a review further back with Tidal their preference again. 

It also seems What HiFi are very big supporters of MQA and Tidal in general and I wonder if there is a sponsor in the background ?  A quick search using the What HiFi page search function typing in MQA or Tidal and a heap of artilces come up promoting anything changing or being added to Tidal and MQA library.

The fact maybe that they actually do prefer Tidal and there is nothing at all wrong with that, but there are equal articles and YouTube reviews preferring Qobuz also.

Its a subjective choice to which there really is no wrong or right.  Obviously the other consideration for some subscribers is the MQA debate, again, thats a a personal preference to follow/buy into or not.

 

Definately take the trial, its free for a month and let your ears decide.  Deezer also has 3 months free!! It is a CD quality service too but does not have above CD qaulity in its library, you may also like what Deezer does, its been around a longtime so cant be doing a bad job either.

[Ryan Ayers]

I've been on Tidal for 6 months and signed up to Qobuz to compare and I have to say I played about 10 songs and a number of them sounded considerably better on Tidal than Qobuz.  Clarity and bass on particular songs was significantly better on Tidal.  

 

Good luck comparing.

 

Cheers Ryan

[Jim Johnston]

  On 20/04/2021 at 10:18 PM, RyanA80 said:

I've been on Tidal for 6 months and signed up to Qobuz to compare and I have to say I played about 10 songs and a number of them sounded considerably better on Tidal than Qobuz.  Clarity and bass on particular songs was significantly better on Tidal.  

 

Good luck comparing.

 

Cheers Ryan

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That’s not going to be a popular comment on this thread, lol , I’m joking. 

[NonPlayableCharacter]

  On 20/04/2021 at 10:18 PM, RyanA80 said:

I've been on Tidal for 6 months and signed up to Qobuz to compare and I have to say I played about 10 songs and a number of them sounded considerably better on Tidal than Qobuz.  Clarity and bass on particular songs was significantly better on Tidal.  

 

Good luck comparing.

 

Cheers Ryan

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Out of interest, what songs/genres did you use to come to this decision. It could have a bearing on your preference, so am genuinely interested to know.

 

Also, were the better tracks MQA or FLAC? And furthermore, what was the playback chain incl player, DAC, headphone/speaker and connection type etc?

 

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by El Tel
Spelling and idiocy this time.