Qobuz Lossless Streaming Service Thread

[abvolt]

I have a question if someone knows, does the Qobuz app for windows 10 allow me to play 24-Bit, 48kHz, WAV files on my computer or do I need a player like foobar 2000. Thanks

 

[rkw]

I have a question if someone knows, does the Qobuz app for windows 10 allow me to play 24-Bit, 48kHz, WAV files on my computer or do I need a player like foobar 2000. Thanks

The Qobuz app only plays content streamed or downloaded from Qobuz. You'll need a separate player for your own music files.

 

[Left Channel]

I have a question if someone knows, does the Qobuz app for windows 10 allow me to play 24-Bit, 48kHz, WAV files on my computer or do I need a player like foobar 2000. Thanks

The Qobuz app only plays content streamed or downloaded from Qobuz. You'll need a separate player for your own music files.

I can confirm that answer. I tried to trick the Qobuz app by copying some downloads from HDtracks into the Qobuz download directory, but the app did not see them.

 

[abvolt]

Thanks for the answers.

 

[Fafner]

I'm evaluating Qobuz since some days. I like it for the most part. It sounds great on my A&K SP1000+AMP - LCDi4 combo, I like the fact I can stream high res stuff into my home system without much hassle being it FLAC, as a classical music fan I like the offering even if the search engine isn't really that suited for classical (but that's a common problem for every service exept Idagio and Primephonic).
But the Windows app just can't be accepted for a service expecting you to spend about 30$/month. It's just the worst piece of software I ever encountered in my life. There just is no logical reason for it to work this bad on an Intel 8C/16T 4.3GHz system with 32GB of RAM, an Nvme SSD and a 600mbps internet connection at disposal. Try to stream 192/24 content and enjoy watching this crappy thing hang for 20 seconds each 10 seconds, and your CPU usage stay constantly at 20-25% values (this wouldn't be a problem if it worked fine, but...). Don't know if some Qobuz representative is watching here, should it be the case: pls fix this disaster, it casts a very bad light on your reputation.

 

[Left Channel]

I'm evaluating Qobuz since some days. I like it for the most part. It sounds great on my A&K SP1000+AMP - LCDi4 combo, I like the fact I can stream high res stuff into my home system without much hassle being it FLAC, as a classical music fan I like the offering even if the search engine isn't really that suited for classical (but that's a common problem for every service exept Idagio and Primephonic).
But the Windows app just can't be accepted for a service expecting you to spend about 30$/month. It's just the worst piece of software I ever encountered in my life. There just is no logical reason for it to work this bad on an Intel 8C/16T 4.3GHz system with 32GB of RAM, an Nvme SSD and a 600mbps internet connection at disposal. Try to stream 192/24 content and enjoy watching this crappy thing hang for 20 seconds each 10 seconds, and your CPU usage stay constantly at 20-25% values (this wouldn't be a problem if it worked fine, but...). Don't know if some Qobuz representative is watching here, should it be the case: pls fix this disaster, it casts a very bad light on your reputation.

Wow, I've only experienced hanging and skipping on my slowest machine, a Celeron, and I know they're working on that problem. This could be something different, and perhaps you could fix it with a few adjustments, so I believe it's worth contacting Qobuz directly for support (as well as the satisfaction of causing them to file a bug report).

See the link in my message copied below for the (US) customer service contact link. The US evangelist and the head US sales guy do turn up here on Head-Fi from time-to-time, but the product manager actually in charge of the software is only on Audiophile Style, where he responds more often too. A link to that thread is in my message below as well. But as I said, contacting Qobuz directly via their website would be best.

They are asking people to contact their customer service group with specific questions: https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/help/contact

Their most active forum presence is in the Official Qobuz Issues Thread on another website (though that thread tends to blow up with off-topic debates on weekends): https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/46611-official-qobuz-issues-thread/

 

[exdmd]

I dropped Tidal and only subscribe to Qobuz now. The latest version of their Windows app works much better on Win 10 now but there is still the occasional skip or hang up. I found early on that using Audirvana+ was the way to go streaming Qobuz for my system. No problems at all.

 

[OldHardwareTech]

I have both Tidal and Qobuz and as far as their apps go Tidal wins hands down. Even on the slow I5 system I'm using as a media center both do work but the Qobuz app has rate issues for me, it displays the wrong rate and/or plays the wrong rate. Don't get me wrong, Tidal isn't perfect either. Still, for access to all the hi res music I want I'm willing to put up with a few problems - all of which a reboot or restart of the app will fix. If Qobuz had Tidal's library added to theirs I'd drop Tidal, there are some things that each doesn't have that the other does. Qobuz does seem to be catching up with my tastes though, adding a better selection of Styx albums was a plus for me and one step closer to dropping Tidal. It does seem odd that Qobuz has things missing that I want to hear as their library is much larger and generally speaking more complete. A playlist generator definitely wouldn't hurt either. All things for all people really isn't an obtainable goal so for now I'll keep both. I am giving serious thought to Audirvana for a player, I really didn't give it a fair test as I was having DAC issues during the trial period. I guess I have "American" tastes in music. lol

 

[Left Channel]

I'm looking forward to the fall Qobuz app updates, which may solve the performance issues we've been discussing. Meanwhile I mostly use the Qobuz plugin for LMS/Squeezebox anyway.

The library has grown a great deal since launch too. It has a ways to go, but I expect to be more pleased with it in the fall as well.

it displays the wrong rate and/or plays the wrong rate.

I wonder if that's the download vs. streaming problem caused by label licensing.

 

[golfbravobravo]

I'm looking forward to the fall Qobuz app updates, which may solve the performance issues we've been discussing. Meanwhile I mostly use the Qobuz plugin for LMS/Squeezebox anyway.

The library has grown a great deal since launch too. It has a ways to go, but I expect to be more pleased with it in the fall as well.



I wonder if that's the download vs. streaming problem caused by label licensing.

I do wish that Qobuz would improve the shopping experience, it is the most awful interface I've worked with in many years David, if you are still in this thread I'd be happy cowrite up some of the issues. A good start would be having everything in English........

 

[Ableza]

I have never used the Qobuz interface, but using the Roon interface I have no skipping or buffering issues at all.

 

[exdmd]

I have both Tidal and Qobuz and as far as their apps go Tidal wins hands down. Even on the slow I5 system I'm using as a media center both do work but the Qobuz app has rate issues for me, it displays the wrong rate and/or plays the wrong rate. Don't get me wrong, Tidal isn't perfect either. Still, for access to all the hi res music I want I'm willing to put up with a few problems - all of which a reboot or restart of the app will fix. If Qobuz had Tidal's library added to theirs I'd drop Tidal, there are some things that each doesn't have that the other does. Qobuz does seem to be catching up with my tastes though, adding a better selection of Styx albums was a plus for me and one step closer to dropping Tidal. It does seem odd that Qobuz has things missing that I want to hear as their library is much larger and generally speaking more complete. A playlist generator definitely wouldn't hurt either. All things for all people really isn't an obtainable goal so for now I'll keep both. I am giving serious thought to Audirvana for a player, I really didn't give it a fair test as I was having DAC issues during the trial period. I guess I have "American" tastes in music. lol

Qobuz library definitely seemed to be catching up to Tidal before I discontinued my Tidal subscription. I found there was less and less music I wanted to listen to that was only available on Tidal and not Qobuz.

I also felt sound quality on Qobuz was a notch above Tidal so I just explore Qobuz for new artists now. I preferred listening to 24/96 on Qobuz over letting Tidal do the first unfold on the same release in MQA. Give it a few years and I imagine MQA will be another failed experiment.

 

[Alcophone]

I wanted to check whether the test songs I didn't find originally are partially in the catalog now, but I'm already getting annoyed again. One release, or none, which is it?

 

[Left Channel]

I wanted to check whether the test songs I didn't find originally are partially in the catalog now, but I'm already getting annoyed again. One release, or none, which is it?

Frustrating. I suspect their search database knows they have those tracks available somewhere, but not in your country. David Craff, the product manager, has stated over on AudiophileStyle that they are working on further improvements to search, and I hope fixing this is part of that roadmap. You may be able to help, or at least perhaps get some reassurance that they're working on this, by sending your image to their support team.

Having said that, since Qobuz launched in the USA I've been checking on albums unique to North America, like those of a very unique Canadian named Bruce Cockburn. The number of his albums on Qobuz has tripled since then, covering the most obvious omissions, though not as complete as what I see on Tidal.

 

[Alcophone]

Frustrating. I suspect their search database knows they have those tracks available somewhere, but not in your country. David Craff, the product manager, has stated over on AudiophileStyle that they are working on further improvements to search, and I hope fixing this is part of that roadmap. You may be able to help, or at least perhaps get some reassurance that they're working on this, by sending your image to their support team.

When I got access to the beta in January, I took it seriously and submitted a detailed bug report, including this issue. Their response: "We are aware of these issues and you should expect ongoing improvements and upgrades in these and many other areas."
Maybe next year, then? I unsubscribed again, for now. I have way too much fun with Spotify (to a huge degree because I can control it from several devices) at 40% of the cost to keep bothering. Based on what I have seen, I don't think Qobuz has the kind of talent it takes to make great apps (which also requires a strong backend). And that's ultimately a leadership issue, I think.
I wish them good luck... they need it.