Qobuz has a new owner

Posted by: PhilP on 29 December 2015

Good to see that Qobuz have  a new owner - Xandrie. Let's hope that they invest sufficient funds to ensure that Qobuz continues to provide the best music streaming service available. 

Posted on: 29 December 2015 by Steve J

Let's hope they don't asset strip, not that Qobuz would seem to have many assets.

Posted on: 29 December 2015 by hafler3o

My money is waiting to be spent on them but their prices will have to be at least 20% / 30% under current UK physical prices for standard res downloads. Subscription streaming is a non-starter as my tastes are too eclectic to abandon the one off purchase model. Undercutting only French physical media prices is not good enough, French media is overpriced across the board.

Posted on: 29 December 2015 by PhilP

I mainly buy 24-bit downloads from Qobuz. I rarely buy 16-bit downloads anywhere as it's usually possible to buy and rip a used CD for £1-2 

Posted on: 30 December 2015 by Goon525

I do hope that the new stability for Qobuz will mean that Naim will consider streaming integration. Although Tidal aren't doing badly, Qobuz remains the best streaming option particularly for classical listeners. Anyway, this sounds like good news.

Posted on: 30 December 2015 by Mike-B
The new owner, Xandrie SA, looks to be in similar & closely related other businesses so the Qobuz acquisition should not be too difficult for them.  Its other businesses are publication of media products such as video games, software, music & books.    Incorporated in 2012 & are a subsidiary of Nabuboto.
I'm not convinced,  its nowhere near stable, nothing is in this type of business,  IMO their are already too many players.  Streaming is now a big boys game with Apple, Google & Amazon in the mix, & unlike Xandrie they have the resources to keep playing even when not making money.  Now I hear BBC are getting into streaming.   Qobuz other outlet is downloads,  that's more or less simple math as selling downloads carries little or no brand loyalty,  its all about price & availability.   
I will not be investing
Posted on: 30 December 2015 by PhilP

According to a report in 'telecompaper', Xandrie expect Qobuz "to become profit making from 2019, after receiving a marketing investment boost and EUR 10 million to upgrade its technology"

Its great that they're injecting capital into Qobuz but I would have thought that they will have to change the business model significantly to have any chance of making a profit.  I don't think many of their customers will be prepared to pay higher subscription fees so they will either have to significantly increase customer numbers or else somehow generate more download sales.  I will certainly continue to support Qobuz and wish them good luck 

 

Posted on: 30 December 2015 by Bananahead

I suspect that the new investors have a better idea about the state of the business than anyone here and have made their investment accordingly.

I don't understand all of the doom and gloom that comes from a lot of people here. You either like what they are selling and buy it or you don't.

Posted on: 30 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

I agree. Qobuz is just brilliant and I get nearly all my stuff from them. I'm so pleased that they have found a way to survive. 

Posted on: 30 December 2015 by likesmusic

Qobuz is wonderful, riches unimagined a few years ago, it's like being allowed to borrow all the CDs you like for as long as you like from a fantastic cd shop, wonderful. Delighted they have found a new owner. (And actually I'm beginning to think it's too cheap for what you get).