Qobuz rocking and rolling

It illustrates one of the issues that they need to overcome.

This news was news in France a month ago.

As they say, it's an encouraging  roundup of news and roadmap at the start of 2015 isn't it? I like it when companies share roadmaps. Thier news stream article I refer to was post thier CES articles dated 22nd Jan. I like their news streams and thier constant flow of info.. Innovating.

Intrigued by the DSD downloads, they refer to a possible exclusive content. Do you know anything about that?

They are doing a free 24bit Wagner download at the moment, which is worth getting. 

Simon, If you switch your country to France then you will find the same article on about 28th December.

I understand why companies want to have exclusive content but it's not good for us as consumers. In the video space you need to subscribe to Amazon, Netflix etc. so that you can get all content. Apple have already done deals to release albums on itunes early and I really hope that this sort of thing doesn't develop.

I haven't seen anything about DSD since the announcement that it would be coming this year. I just hope they don't charge more than they already do for 24bit.

+1.  This is one of my biggest gripes, as a consumer, as these streaming services (not just music, but iTunes Store/Google/Amazon/Netflix etc) evolve. 

And come to think of it, some of what's going on in the video streaming world is what we're complaining about here.  Not all content is available on one device.  I currently have a smart TV (Samsung), a PS3, a Wii, an Apple TV and an Amazon Fire box; all of these get some subset of available content.  If I really parse it, the single biggest issue is that the Apple content is only available on the Apple device, I believe.  But my Samsung TV, despite not being very old, doesn't have an Amazon Prime Video app.  Some Samsung TV's do; some don't. 

There still is no unified approach.  OH and then of course there is the cable box . . . don't forget that.

Hi Simon,

It's indeed encouraging. So far I have been a good customer of Qobuz and seen that they have a wide offering, ease of shopping and often good commercial offerings. So I am happy they stay on board to ensure a good competition in this field. 

Bert

Hi Bart -

Almost bought a Fire for this exact reason, but Amason now has an iPad app that supports AirPlay. We watch Amazon Prime content by redirecting iPad output to an Apple TV connected to our AV receiver.  Easy to do, and it works just fine.

Hook

All seems very positive to me, and something of a relief that future looks bright for the company, and therefore my ears.  No Neil Young at the top of the Qobuz download chart though, or even in the top 10, how strange.

Cool -- I did not realize that Amazon video is now available to watch in iOS.

(Irrelevant, but the remote you can talk into for the Fire TV is really nice.)

I've recently cancelled my Qobuz streaming subscription, not because of poor service or content, but because I simply don't use it enough to warrant the expense. I have so much to listen to in my vinyl and digital library. I will still download the occasional album and the DSD files are attractive if the price is right.

Hi Steve, indeed, I cancelled last year, but when I got the Sonos as the front end for the Naim I reactivated it.. And jolly glad I did. I do like how you can just switch off and on the subscription setting.

Simon

They better make it quick to my side of the pond. With Tidal and Deezer already here- and the impending Apple launch of Beats and the rumored Spotify uncompressed service - competition is already quite fierce. 

Sides are already being drawn. Deezer has partnered with Sonos and I myself am using Tidal due to its integration with my Linn. 

They better not sleep for too long!

Qobuz has already partnered with Sonos for a few years now. So if or  when Qobuz decides to launch in your country it will simply appear as a service option on your Sonos. Within the Sonos GUI the Qobuz playlists and featired albums appear as navigation choices. In the UK Deezer lossy and Tidal lossless are also available. I see  by the way Sonos queries work  for what I listen to and select, which is quite eclectic Qobuz has a better match for content than Deezer. Spotify has a greater range but  sometimes seemingly less mastering choices than Qobuz. Also I have found Jazz and classical titles sometimes a little restricted on Spotify and Deezer compared to Qobuz. I have a complimentary 12 month Deezer subscription as well paid subscriptions for Spotify and Qobuz.

Simon

They do need to look at their prices.

CD £8 at Amazon. 16 bit download £10 from Qobuz.

And then into my inbox pops a 4 for 3 offer.

If only their choice was better and I could include future releases.

I have found many Used bargains on Amazon. "Used - Very Good" or better has never disappointed.

Regarding Qobuz I have downloaded Oscar Peterson albums recently which weren't available elsewhere for the same price.

Dave

The prices are normally better than Amazon - and very often by a mile. Obviously a used cd is still cheaper and I have seen that large box sets are more expensive on Qobuz. So as with so many things watch and compare.

I agree, always pays to shop around. For 44.1/16 I still usually find used and new CDs from Amazon hard to beat.

Am pleased that Qobuz seems to be making it commercially - I for one, have just cancelled my spotify subscription in favour of them (albeit, I would probably switch back if Spotify offered the same streaming format).

Can somebody please explain on how to listen to Qobuz through an NDX - today ?

many thanks !

Covered in threads but you have to get yourself a Sonos Connect for about £280.

You need a front end of some sort. You can use a PC, MAC via SPDIF, or use an iPhone or iPad via the Apple USB interface on the NDX.

Alternatively you need a front end digital service aggregator like a Sonos Connect, and connect to your NDX via Toslink or SPDIF. 

I am afraid until or if Naim do the Qobuz integration, you won't be able to play directly.

Simon

One of the things which differentiates one site from another is the quality of the download process. HDtracks and ProStudioMasters are pretty good in this respect. Qobuz used to have a decent downloader, but now has a horrible zip file arrangement. I have complained and they told me that there is a beta version downloader available, but try as I have, I cannot get this to work. Anyone else have the problem?

Yes !!!

I have used the zip but its a PITA & I can't understand what takes so long over beta testing such a basic function

I bought four albums from Qobuz this very morning and the normal downloader worked fine.

Just a thought. I use the French site so the downloader is in French. Maybe they have an English version in testing.