Qobuz hi-res streaming service

Posted by: rafota on 14 January 2014

I am testing the new Qobuz hi-res streaming service, which streams mostly in FLAC, with a more limited selection in studio format. I am using an APP called MusicFlow that effectively transforms my iPhone into a UPnP compatible device so that the Qobuz stream gets into my Unitilite. I would have preferred it if the USB input on the Unitilite was able to read not just the iTune music on my iPhone but also non iTune streaming services, maybe next firmware update?

 

Anyhow, for now, the Music Flow app is ok, not more, it sometimes cuts off without warning, and the Qobuz app is getting time to get used to. The music, particularly classic music and then the volume is turned up, is much crisper than using Spotify with less audible distortion. Can I get other members feednack on their experience trying to access hi-res streaming services and how they feed the data into their amp?

Posted on: 15 February 2014 by Aleg
Originally Posted by Goon525:

Some very interesting comments here. I currently subscribe to Spotify Premium, and buy quite a few downloads from Qobuz, amongst others. Most of my listening is to classical, and one thing I think I'd miss with streaming is access to programme notes, and texts/translations for sung works. These are almost always available as PDF downloads when you buy a download, but what about when you're listening to a stream?

When you use the Qobuz app, the booklet, if available at all, can be read online inside the Qobuz app.

So also with streaming you can read the booklet.

 

cheers

 

Aleg

Posted on: 15 February 2014 by Goon525

Thanks, Aleg.

Posted on: 15 February 2014 by Sloop John B

Just installed the app for Qobuz on my Squeezebox Touch. 

 

Even though I've set it up for a trial 44/16 flac account it's only streaming mp3. I see someone else had the same problem on the Logitech forum but so far no solution. 

 

Any one here have the current version working though squeezebox at flac level?

 

 

SJB

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Dustysox
Originally Posted by Sloop John B:

Just installed the app for Qobuz on my Squeezebox Touch. 

 

Even though I've set it up for a trial 44/16 flac account it's only streaming mp3. I see someone else had the same problem on the Logitech forum but so far no solution. 

 

Any one here have the current version working though squeezebox at flac level?

 

 

SJB

HI,

 

In Logitech media server under "plug in" Qobuz, what is it set to MP3 or FLAC?

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Sloop John B
Originally Posted by Dustysox:
Originally Posted by Sloop John B:

Just installed the app for Qobuz on my Squeezebox Touch. 

 

Even though I've set it up for a trial 44/16 flac account it's only streaming mp3. I see someone else had the same problem on the Logitech forum but so far no solution. 

 

Any one here have the current version working though squeezebox at flac level?

 

 

SJB

HI,

 

In Logitech media server under "plug in" Qobuz, what is it set to MP3 or FLAC?

it's set to flac but as i said it shows up as mp3 on the more info tab on iPeng

 

 

 

 

SJB

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Dustysox

Hi SJB,

 

Can you advise a track so that I can listen to it as well to see the format?

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Sloop John B
Originally Posted by Dustysox:

Hi SJB,

 

Can you advise a track so that I can listen to it as well to see the format?

 

 

Listening to Rosanne Cash - The River and the thread.

 

I have a one month free "hi-fi" trial and I can stream flac to the Win 7 dekstop app.

 

 

thanks for the help.

 

SJB

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Dustysox

Bizarre, as I am getting it as a FLAC file.

 

I am running out of ideas. All I can think is to check Quboz account settings and also re check settings in the LMS Plug in settings. It has to be one of these (i hope!!)

 

 

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Sloop John B

I'm just doing a reboot of SBT and LMS and QNAP NAS to see if that flushes anything out.

 

I have double checked all the settings.

 

SJB

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Sloop John B

............ which hasn't worked!

 

 

Last thing to try, DNS setting on router as I use these to confuse iplayer and the like!

 

SJB

Posted on: 16 February 2014 by Sloop John B

........... not a DNS issue.

 

bit of a PITA, but at least it's just a free trial, so nothing lost.

 

 

 

SJB

Posted on: 17 February 2014 by Occean

I have tried the Qubuz free trial and was very impressed with the SQ - both through a Sonos to a Supernait v1 and on my iPhone. 

 

I struggled a little with the UI on the sonos though, with the search bringing up lots of random results, but maybe i am just too used to Spotify being a user for years now, which I do use a lot and also not sure about the price difference tbh esp as I pay £5 for Spotify. Maybe I will try again though as the SQ was definitely superior. 

Posted on: 18 February 2014 by Michel Werner

Sound quality through Sonos is great indeed. I enjoy it greatly. Nevertheless, it is not at the NDS level. Let's hope that as for Spotify that will be native on Naim streamers on May, it will run native later.

 

The search function should definitively be improved. 

 

Michel

Posted on: 16 March 2014 by Audioneophyte

Dumb question alert!

 

could someone please explain step by step...

 

using sonos and process of actual set up to get qobuz streaming into my naim system?

 

i have a trial account already for qobuz...  And would enjoy testing it vie my naim system as well.

 

please advise....

 

humbly...

Posted on: 17 March 2014 by trickydickie

Audioneophyte

 

I'm assuming from your question you don't have Sonos already?

 

If this is the case then you need to obtain a Sonos Connect box, this is the cheaper of the 2 in the Connect range (the other one has an amp built in and no digital outputs).  You also need a digital cable to connect the Sonos to the NDS as you will use the NDS as your Dac as the Dac in the Sonos is not particularly good.  I used a mid range QED RCA to RCA cable which seems fine.

 

If your NDS is wired on to your network this is all you need as the Sonos has 2 ethernet ports allowing your to remove the ethernet connection from the NDS and replace it into the Sonos.  You then connect another short ethernet cable from the Sonos into your NDS.  

 

If you have disabled the digital input on your NDS you will need to enable the correct input to allow the DAC to accept the Sonos signal.

 

Once you have his setup you need to install the Sonos controller on a PC, iPad or Android tablet. This will allow you to set the system up which is very easy. The system guides you though this and you will be up and running in 10 minutes.  

 

Once working you can add QoBuz as a music service and enter in your QoBuz credentials.  

 

Make sure that you go on to the QoBuz website and access your account and set the Sonos option to FLAC, otherwise it will stream 320 MP3 by default.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Richard

Posted on: 17 March 2014 by playchess

Hi from France,

I have a sonos connect with Qobuz high resolution streaming controlled with Ipad air and ipod touch , do you think that the dac naim will be improve (connected to the Sonos)   my system (Nap 250-2 Nac 282 cd5xs Kudos c10 Partington heavy , sonos connect with qobuz )

Posted on: 17 March 2014 by Audioneophyte

thank you tricky dicky… just ordered the connect and will let you know later this week how it goes...

 

playchess: yes my airport expream was plugged into my ndac and it made a huge difference!

 

This sons i just ordered will be plugged into my NDS for the same reason...

Posted on: 19 March 2014 by Louis-Andre
I will be testing the Nad M50 ( DAC less high quality streamer ) connected to TeddyDac next week. The M50 us the only premium streamer with Qobuz fully integrated. A friend has bought a M50 with his Chord HD Dac, and thinks he never heard his system sound better