Official Qobuz Issues Thread

[Cebolla]

1 hour ago, austinpop said:

      3. 16/44.1: this is the key. Is this downconverted from 24/96, or is this the label's 16/44.1?

 

Good point. Pasting the link in the BubbleUPnP Android app's Playlist page, via the Add stream URL function,  displays the tracks as 24/96kHz, even with the Qobuz Studio account's audio quality restricted to 16/44.1kHz in the BubbleUPnP Android app's settings and so the being played at 16/44.1kHz.

 

So are the track streams being downsampled from the 24/96kHz hi-res source by the Qobuz online server or are they being provided from a true 16/44.1kHz source?

[Cebolla]

4 hours ago, David Craff said:

 

Hello this problem happened with the latest version of the Chromecast firmware launched by Google.

We are in discussion with Google to find a solution. The problem is present when listening to a file in FLAC format.

 

While waiting for a correction, I invite you to force MP3 playback on a Chromecast.

 

Regards

 

Is this just an issue with iOS Google Cast SDK using apps and/or third party Chromecast supporting hardware, such as the Naim Uniti Nova, with the latest Chromecast firmware?

 

Google's own Chromecast Audio devices are currently playing correctly with Cast firmware version 1.35.137090 (albeit with the expected lack of gapless playback support) when used with the Android version of the Qobuz app.

[intensemojo]

When is the US launch?

[mourip]

3 hours ago, intensemojo said:

When is the US launch?

 

It was supposed to have been last month but it seems that they are not quite ready. No word yet.

[David Craff]

16 hours ago, austinpop said:

@David Craff

 

Can you clarify how Qobuz delivers the various sample rates offered? By that I mean - starting from my Qobuz app:

Let's take a concrete example: https://open.qobuz.com/album/getuakd2s41i2, Brahms: Symphony No. 2, on the label BIS:

• BIS released the album in 2 sample rates: 24/96 and 16/44.1
• Qobuz offers it up for streaming at up to 24/96

My question is this: since the user can select 4 streaming quality levels, how do you handle each one:

1. 24/192: I assume this is not delivered in this case?
2. 24/96: BIS 24/96 release
3. 16/44.1: this is the key. Is this downconverted from 24/96, or is this the label's 16/44.1?
4. MP3 320kbps: provided by label? derived from 16/44.1? Or from the 24/96?

Just trying to understand the provenance.

 

 

Hello,

There are no rules on the listening skills provided by suppliers.  Some only deliver Hi-Res, others only Losless etc.... Therefore, for each quality offered by Qobuz, we will fill the gaps by converting from the highest quality provided. We do not do upsampling, however.

 

In any case, even if MP3 quality is provided, we do not take it into account and offer our own version for this format from the CD quality provide or created. This currently allows us to have the best MP3 quality in streaming.

 

For losless: CD quality, if this one is provided we keep it, if not we create it from the superior quality.

 

For Hi-Res up to 96kHz, if we have a higher quality and this quality is not provided we will also create it from the higher quality.

 

To convert from one quality to another, we use the dBpoweramp software (https://www.dbpoweramp.com/)

On the website http://src.infinitewave.ca/ you can compare the encoding quality of dBpoweramp with other software.

[David Craff]

14 hours ago, Cebolla said:

 

Is this just an issue with iOS Google Cast SDK using apps and/or third party Chromecast supporting hardware, such as the Naim Uniti Nova, with the latest Chromecast firmware?

 

Google's own Chromecast Audio devices are currently playing correctly with Cast firmware version 1.35.137090 (albeit with the expected lack of gapless playback support) when used with the Android version of the Qobuz app.

 

The problem are on all chromecast vidéo with last firmware, the audio still work well. For third party Chromecast, it depends is they have the lastest  firmware and is this one meet chromecast vidéo or chromecast audio.

[David Craff]

5 hours ago, mourip said:

 

It was supposed to have been last month but it seems that they are not quite ready. No word yet.

 

Hi,

 

This is not quite ready but will be soon. The launch will initially be carried out in closed beta.

 

Regards

[rando]

Appreciate your coming here to offer straightforward replies, David.  As you can tell, anticipation was already high without the potential of receiving Qobuz as a Christmas gift.  Though I may be in the (vocal) minority on certain aspects of this release.  Time spent making your service operate as it should from day one is bound to be appreciated by everyone. 

 

Fully expect you will maintain the conditions of a closed beta.  Though I'm unaware of those under which numerous industry affiliated persons were granted access earlier this year.  The existence of a formal trial launch is reassuring in the utmost.  I'm confident others given towards contemplating what would require this step will view it in a very similar light.  

 

As @christopher3393 would say, Ah, la vache!

[rickca]

5 hours ago, David Craff said:

This is not quite ready but will be soon. The launch will initially be carried out in closed beta.

 

Who gets to participate in the closed beta?  I have had an account in France for more than 3 years, but I live in USA so I think I'd be a good candidate.

[TAV]

7 hours ago, David Craff said:

 

Hi,

 

This is not quite ready but will be soon. The launch will initially be carried out in closed beta.

 

Regards

Any details on the closed beta?  Expected beta duration,  beta open to whom? 

Hope the general rollout is smooth and soon,  I've been using a Society account and overall pleased with a few minor criticisms.  Eagerly awaiting Roon integration as well. 

[left channel]

1 hour ago, rickca said:

Who gets to participate in the closed beta?  I have had an account in France for more than 3 years, but I live in USA so I think I'd be a good candidate.

 

Were I them, I would not choose us. We post too much. ? 

[David Craff]

17 minutes ago, TAV said:

Any details on the closed beta?  Expected beta duration,  beta open to whom? 

Hope the general rollout is smooth and soon,  I've been using a Society account and overall pleased with a few minor criticisms.  Eagerly awaiting Roon integration as well. 

 

Sorry I have no more details to communicate about that.

[austinpop]

8 hours ago, David Craff said:

 

Hello,

There are no rules on the listening skills provided by suppliers.  Some only deliver Hi-Res, others only Losless etc.... Therefore, for each quality offered by Qobuz, we will fill the gaps by converting from the highest quality provided. We do not do upsampling, however.

 

In any case, even if MP3 quality is provided, we do not take it into account and offer our own version for this format from the CD quality provide or created. This currently allows us to have the best MP3 quality in streaming.

 

For losless: CD quality, if this one is provided we keep it, if not we create it from the superior quality.

 

For Hi-Res up to 96kHz, if we have a higher quality and this quality is not provided we will also create it from the higher quality.

 

To convert from one quality to another, we use the dBpoweramp software (https://www.dbpoweramp.com/)

On the website http://src.infinitewave.ca/ you can compare the encoding quality of dBpoweramp with other software.

 

Thanks for providing this insight into your process. So the key takeaways I got are:

1. Always prefer (use) the label-supplied version, if available, for a given sample rate
   • exception - MP3 is always generated by you from the CD version (which in turn could be label-supplied, or generated by you from high-res)
2. Never upsample
3. Fill in gaps at lower sample rates by down converting.
4. Conversions done with dBpoweramp.

We really appreciate this information!

[David.. Qobuz, Hi-Res Music Evangelist]

1 hour ago, left channel said:

 

Were I them, I would not choose us. We post too much. ? 

OMG... That is hilarious, LC. Thanks for the levity. 

 

[left channel]

18 minutes ago, David.. Qobuz, Hi-Res Music Evangelist said:

OMG... That is hilarious, LC. Thanks for the levity. 

 

 

That's the heart of comedy: unexpected statements of truth.

 

Oh, and also slapstick. Whoop-whoop-whoop! Ba-dum-chhhh.

[left channel]

9 hours ago, David Craff said:

To convert from one quality to another, we use the dBpoweramp software (https://www.dbpoweramp.com/)

On the website http://src.infinitewave.ca/ you can compare the encoding quality of dBpoweramp with other software.

 

Three cheers for dBpoweramp! (Seriously, not kidding this time.)

[TAV]

2 hours ago, David Craff said:

 

Sorry I have no more details to communicate about that.

 

Oh well,  along for the ride.   Bumpy and full of detours as it may be.  ?

[David Craff]

On 11/5/2018 at 1:49 PM, beajuju said:

@David Craff  I use Chromecast with my Qobuz iOS app (OS 12.1 and iPhone XS) but since a few months each track in an album seems to glitch by repeating from the start after 2-3 seconds of playback on my Naim Uniti Nova.  No idea if it's a Naim or Qobuz issue but it's beyond frustrating. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

Hi, can you give me the firmware version of your Chromecast and the type of chromecast  (vidéo, audio, google home with generation) ? You can find it with the app Google Home by clicking on the "Parameter icon" (https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/7124014?hl=en)

 

If someone else have  the problem, that can be help us with google.

 

Regards

[David Craff]

17 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

Thanks for providing this insight into your process. So the key takeaways I got are:

1. Always prefer (use) the label-supplied version, if available, for a given sample rate
   • exception - MP3 is always generated by you from the CD version (which in turn could be label-supplied, or generated by you from high-res)
2. Never upsample
3. Fill in gaps at lower sample rates by down converting.
4. Conversions done with dBpoweramp.

We really appreciate this information!

 

Well done this is correct

[beajuju]

3 hours ago, David Craff said:

 

Hi, can you give me the firmware version of your Chromecast and the type of chromecast  (vidéo, audio, google home with generation) ? You can find it with the app Google Home by clicking on the "Parameter icon" (https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/7124014?hl=en)

 

If someone else have  the problem, that can be help us with google.

 

Regards

Hi @David Craff,

A big thank you for your interest. I subscribed to Qobuz Sublime +. My goal is to stream in Hi Res to my Naim Uniti Nova. As the DLNA function is in beta format and I want to enjoy your app with it's booklets, my only option is Chromecast. What's annoying is that Qobuz is promoting its partnership with Naim by mentioning the Chromecast feature ... that does not work properly in the Qobuz appiOS 12. I hope your team can fix it in the of an upcoming update.The internalsoftware of Naim Uniti Nova indicates Chromecast buit-in version 1.21.75965. Thank you again, it is very appreciated!

[austinpop]

Listening Impressions of Qobuz vs. Tidal

 

I've now had access to Qobuz for a couple months, but due to travel and other commitments, I'd not yet done a careful head to head with Tidal in regard to sound quality. Well, I have now! For me, it was important to do this in a controlled manner, keeping all else constant. In my setup, this meant:

1. using the exact same hardware chain
2. using the same software player - LMS with Tidal and Qobuz plugins
3. Stick to CD (Redbook 16/44.1) sample rate
4. Pick the exact same recordings on the 2 services

This ensured that the only difference in SQ was the streams provided by the 2 services.

 

I listened to a bunch of albums, but here is a representative sample. I've provided links, so I'd love for people who have the ability to cross-check my findings with their own ears.

 

https://open.qobuz.com/album/0884977446371

https://tidal.com/album/3329114

 

https://open.qobuz.com/album/0709869117040

https://tidal.com/album/65306169

 

https://open.qobuz.com/album/0060255767267

https://tidal.com/album/79640505

 

Across the board, the Qobuz streams sounded better. The common theme was one of more openness and dynamics. The Tidal streams seemed to all suffer from constricted dynamics and a somewhat smaller and flatter soundstage.

 

I honestly did not expect this big a difference. Whatever the reasons, as I heard it, Qobuz delivered better sound quality than Tidal with the same nominal 16/44.1 content. Of course, things get even better in some of the cases where Qobuz has hi-res versions of the albums available.

 

Before you ask, I did not attempt to compare Qobuz hi-res with Tidal MQA. Not because I'm shy and retiring, but because I did not have the same software player that could play both. My preferred player is Roon, but it does not support Qobuz (yet). The LMS Tidal plugin does not support MQA streams (yet?). 

 

Once Roon support for Qobuz arrives, I'll be trying that comparison for myself. Whether or not I post anything about it, in light of the raging MQA debate - I doubt it!

[rodrigaj]

@austinpop Thank you for your comparison between Tidal and Qobuz. I especially like the choice of the Brandenburgs in your assessment.

Since I gave up on Tidal and my evaluations of Primephonic and Idagio are complete, I am eagerly anticipating Qobuz. 

[steveoat]

So, when are they going live in the US?

[left channel]

38 minutes ago, steveoat said:

So, when are they going live in the US?

 

Maybe this month. The launch was expected in October but was delayed, and they have not announced a new date.

[Musicophile]

18 hours ago, rodrigaj said:

@austinpop  I especially like the choice of the Brandenburgs in your assessment.

 

+1.

 

https://musicophilesblog.com/2016/02/11/my-favorite-version-of-the-brandenburg-concertos/