Qobuz 24bit Sublime+ coming in May

Graeme MacArthur posted:

claptonuk posted:

Stringerbell

Thanks for that info, unfortunately I am all ios so bubbleupnp is not an option for me presently.

Maybe I should invest in an Android tablet or at least loan one to see how well it does the job?

 

 

BubblesoftUPnP Server does work with iOS. There isn't a BubbleUPnP app for the iPad (or phone) but you can control it using either the Lumin or Kazoo apps. Lumin will only run on an iPad but Kazoo will run on iPad, iPhone and even MacOS desktop.

The only problem I have encountered is with a Synology NAS, where occasionally (maybe twice a day...) BubbleUPnP will stop running and has to be restarted. This is apparently due to the version of Java 8 (which Bubblesoft needs) that runs on the Synology NAS. I'm told (by Bubblesoft) that this problem doesn't exist anywhere else.

I run Qobuz Sublime in this manner. The Sublime+ playlist plays without problem as do my purchased and streamed hi-res files.

Sometimes I also run Qobuz or Tidal from a Sonos Connect, plugged into my ND5-XS. Unfortunately the hi-res files cannot be played in this manner, CD quality being the max for Sonos. But at least you don't get the annoying Tidal streaming interruptions that you do using a Naim streamer.

Thanks for the pointer. Bubble on Synology working a treat tonight without a hitch as you suggested. Playing Sublime+ playlist through the Naim using Kazoo on the iPhone.

Not a pretty interface but it will stop me whining about Naim's sloth like reactions to market demands for a while!

Has anyone tried MConnect, works on iOS seems Qobuz happy? 

Dan43 posted:

Has anyone tried MConnect, works on iOS seems Qobuz happy? 

No. It looks interesting, presumably requiring BubblesoftUPnP to work with Naim. I'm away for a few days but I'll give it a go when I get back.

Playing with it it doesn't seem to need anything extra. Log into Tidal or Qobuz via browser then select where you want the music to go, if your streamer is online select this and it plays the music to that streamer. Seems quite good, it finds your NAS or other servers and online libraries into one app.

Dan43 posted:

Playing with it it doesn't seem to need anything extra. Log into Tidal or Qobuz via browser then select where you want the music to go, if your streamer is online select this and it plays the music to that streamer. Seems quite good, it finds your NAS or other servers and online libraries into one app.

Actually, being an impatient soul, I couldn't wait to try it so I bought the HD iPad version. Apart from getting used to navigating around the app, the only problem I've encountered so far is how to enable gapless playback, which is vital for me. Otherwise, so far so good!

Excuse my ignorance here but I have downloaded the lite version which streams perfectly well to my NDS but only in 16/44. Do I take it that if I buy the HD version I can use this to stream 24 bit from Qobuz Sublime+ in the same way?

I have the lite version so I could get used to the UI and how it works, my 24bit library streams fine but my Qobuz purchases all stream at 44.1/16 and as FLAC even though they are all WAV, so yes maybe the full HD version allows full 24bit. It is £5.99 I think so might take a punt, it seems to work pretty well so far swap between Qobuz, Tidal and Melco seamlessly.

Graeme MacArthur posted:

Gary Shaw posted:

Interesting. I run Bubbleupnp server on a Synology for Qobuz Sublime purposes and have never had to restart it. Not once. Ever.

Now of only the Naim app would support it...

Some of us are luckier than others, it seems. Which Synology NAS do you have?

415play with the usual stuff, including Java 8.

As a long time, at least as long as is possible, Q user I am being tempted to try Tidal. Their MQA Master files are available at no extra cost I believe .....rather than paying a premium for what might be termed 'the real deal'.

I am watching all this with interest.

M

Mr Underhill posted:

As a long time, at least as long as is possible, Q user I am being tempted to try Tidal. Their MQA Master files are available at no extra cost I believe .....rather than paying a premium for what might be termed 'the real deal'.

I am watching all this with interest.

M

Take the trial, see what you think. I subscribed to Qobuz years ago but ditched them due to unreliability. I have since come back to them (via Deezer and Tidal) and am pleased to say that the reliability issues are a thing of the past. When you dig down, Tidal and Qobuz have very similar catalogues, the main difference is the curation. Tidal majors in urban music whilst Qobuz leans towards classical and jazz, and certainly features more European (French!) music. Tidal is available through Naim streamers but there are annoying issues with interruptions to the stream (which you don't get using their desktop app, Sonos or BubbleUPnP). MQA is only available through Tidal's desktop app and you should, if you haven't already, read other threads on this topic as it is certainly no universal panacea. But it is available for no extra charge!

Just my two pennyworth.

hmmmn ive bought the majority of my Hi Res collection from Qobuz. I prefer the flexibility of their downloads.    I see today the new Kraftwerk box set is offered at £69 - cheaper than HDtracks.  That could be 69 quid off the Sublime+ subscription straight off the bat.  ive been waiting for a hi res streaming service.  id like to think this is it.  I bought the MconnectHD app but it doesnt find my ND5XS on the network in my second system.  It does find my HDX and NAS drive as servers though......any suggestions from the forum gurus would be gratefully received. 

If i can get it to work next weeks home dem of the NDS could take on a heightened importance 

Yes the Kraftwerk box set is certainly interesting, if subscribed it is £44.99 if a purchased hard copy was wanted.

Is there any early deals yet, I got 25% off sublime last year and had that for a year but this one is interesting but feels a little too much, it is €350 so £50 cheaper in EU.

I bought a fair amount of HiRes from sublime and they do regular deals, some REM stuff was under £5 at one deal.

A little off-topic, but this mconnect player seems to do some MQA conversion. When I select in Tidal a Master album it will play it on my 272 as 24 bit flac in 44,1 kHz, 48 kHz etc.

performance however is very slow of this app. Anyone experienced the same? No gapless, but developer says it will come. All in all a nice player for users with Tidal and/or Qobuz. Don't need the bubble server, no Openhome necessary.

I quite like it.  Use it for my Qobuz Sublime+ subscription and it works well.  Occasional crash  / freeze.  Saved £££ on adding a pre loved LinnSneaky DS to the system to access my account.  Check the audio output settings.  My files were initially not playing in HD format but i quickly remedied this.  I haven't found it to be slow but wouldnt describe it as grease lightening either. 

RikkieB posted:

A little off-topic, but this mconnect player seems to do some MQA conversion. When I select in Tidal a Master album it will play it on my 272 as 24 bit flac in 44,1 kHz, 48 kHz etc.

performance however is very slow of this app. Anyone experienced the same? No gapless, but developer says it will come. All in all a nice player for users with Tidal and/or Qobuz. Don't need the bubble server, no Openhome necessary.

Same here with MConnect HD and TIDAL Masters playing 24 bit FLAC although I have not found the App slow - it does take a bit of getting used to though.

For the price this seems to be something of a no brainer for those with a TIDAL HiFI sub. I am planning to try Qobuz with it next.

Without knowing all of the technical or licensing issues, I do wonder why something of this nature could not have been integrated into the Naim App, it certainly seems to save a lot of trouble.

Getting back on topic, What HiFi have given Qobuz a slightly lukewarm review for Sublime+, accusing the feed of 'lacking drive'. That's not my experience, and I find their anonymous style of review, with little indication of equipment used, pretty annoying. Whoever it is seems to have bought the MQA story hook, line and sinker and is now dissing alternatives. A shame - my experience of Sublime+ is very good.

doesnt anyone else see the disconnect between people discussing the sound quality effect of a wired router, versus discussing using an app to stream a service to googlecast etc etc?

jon honeyball posted:

doesnt anyone else see the disconnect between people discussing the sound quality effect of a wired router, versus discussing using an app to stream a service to googlecast etc etc?

I see what you mean. Although the app, as I understand it, just cues up the files on Chromecast which then pulls them from the streaming service, or whatever you're using. It isn't the app sending the music files. In fact you can switch off your phone (or other control device) and the play queue will continue. So this is no worse than a normal wifi stream, quality of electronics aside.

I'm sure I'm not the only Sublime+ subscriber here, but no one' picked up on my comment on the What HiFi review. Has anyone made comparisons, and found it lacking in drive and dynamics?

I love Sublime+, What HIFI has always ratedt Qobuz below Tidal and even ignored reviewing their service in one occasion while comparing all the streaming services a year or so ago.  I trust my ears period.  Qobuz  is by far my favorite streaming service, No complains here

Goon525 posted:

I'm sure I'm not the only Sublime+ subscriber here, but no one' picked up on my comment on the What HiFi review. Has anyone made comparisons, and found it lacking in drive and dynamics?

I've been tempted to upgrade but that review did put me off a little.

I was an early adopter of Sublime, possibly due to an offer - I'm not sure if it's 'grandfathered' but I got charged £159 at renewal not £219 or whatever it is.  When I looked at the upgrade to + the cost was £190 so I'd lose out on the possible rolling discount unless it's an anomaly....

Would agree with earlier comments that it's a shame there was no incentive for existing Sublime customers to upgrade.

What's put me off more than anything is the inability to play gapless audio using Chromecast - if the Naim kit had native Qobuz support that worked gapless I'd jump very likely upgrade.

Mac users could use Audirvana Plus, Great sound quality and has integrated Qobus support. 

Goon525 posted:

I'm sure I'm not the only Sublime+ subscriber here, but no one' picked up on my comment on the What HiFi review. Has anyone made comparisons, and found it lacking in drive and dynamics?

As there is not a full integration with our beloved black boxes I am not using my Qobuz sublime for streaming purposes. As I tend to use Tidal just for checking in to albums I tend to buy at the end (the benefit of the better quality via my Melco), I am not sure if I would upgrade Qobuz even if they would bring it onto Naim. The only thing I would do is cancelling my Tidal as I only have both the benefit from the discounts on Qobuz....

This may be my last contribution here as I've actually jumped ship. Although a major system upgrade was the main cause (streamer is now Linn Akurate replacing a SU), a lesser reason was Linn's integration of Qobuz. I can report that Qobuz high res stuff sounds terrific via the Linn, although I still generally simultaneously open the Qobuz app on my iPad simply to gain access to booklet notes, which aren't part of Linn's integration.

While I'm here, many thanks to those (especially Simon from Suffolk) who kindly answered any queries of mine during my six years as a satisfied SU user. These forums are a great asset for Naim users.

Simon Clifford-Smith posted:

Mac users could use Audirvana Plus, Great sound quality and has integrated Qobus support. 

Thanks so much for posting that - must test.

I have Audirvana + 2.x version, didn't upgrade to v. 3 when Qobuz desktop player for Mac came out, but I see Audirvana + 3.1 can play directly to DLNA/UpNP network players which could potentially solve my gapless playback issues - will test and report back!