Native Qobuz update

Am I the only one wondering How long the French Qobuz will still be going after the amazon HiRes music streaming and download site gets
Up to speed this Easter ?
Just Saying it how it is.
Tidal are already on there way out Qobuz next.
The battle will be between the two A’s for world domination of HiRes music Streaming and downloading.
Amazon and Apple.
Apple will always be behind because they have never offered FLAC.

There was an interview with the Qobuz CEO in What Hifi. He seemed to think that they are after different customers, hence they recently dropped mp3, and are better at supporting new artists, more eclectic mix and Hires. I guess the market will eventually decide.

I could be wrong but I thought Qobuz where only looking to drop the MP3 “subscription” plan, not MP3 as a playable source?

I presumed MP3 would always be available through their other subscription plans (reasons being mobile data usage, car play, android auto etc).

I’m not a Qobuz subscriber so I can’t verify this, but through other forum discussions this was how it was explained.

I will try and find the interview again

I’m using the free month which gives me Studio subscription level access. Under streaming quality options, mp3 is still there.

Hi Gazza, It’s OK I remember reading it too and thought hangon, that’s not what I’ve been told, so I just presumed What Hifi didn’t explain it that well (no surprises there).

:wink:

As I was as typing this response I can see that Graeme has confirmed MP3 is still an option (thanks!).

The interview states they are dropping the four tier system to one tier in the U.S with cd and high res. In Europe they will have the Studio tier and the Sublime yearly package…cd and high res, no mp3.

When is this going to happen Gazza?

It does nit actually say…i would guess that as they put new music up, mp3 will not be offered, if its already on the site…continue for while? They seem to feel their customers want higher quality than say Spotify or Amazon customers.

Thank you.

True in my case!

That would (imho) be a mistake if Qobuz actually went ahead and did that. I understand how Qobuz are positioning themselves and that’s great, but MP3 can serve a useful purpose. I really hope this is not the case.

Thanks for your responses!

Same here. Even if I shut the app down while playing a track and the track continues playing and is displayed when reopening the app, the Qobuz username has to be re-entered.

Strangely enough I am finding the quality of Qobuz streaming is better through the Roon Nucleus - a little more grip and articulacy.

Hey guys, and @Richard.Dane,

There are now 3 threads on the same subject: Is the update today, native Qobuz integration, and this one.
Will it not be easier for everyone interested by this subject, as me, to have all these 3 threads in one?
Just wondering…

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Having been a Qobuz subcriber for years, I have really been looking forward to this. I put the update through last night on the 555 with no issues. Logged in with username and everything appeared in an instant. Didnt have much time for critical listening. App seemed a little slower to flick between tracks than on Roon but it seemed to settle down a bit when using. Initial thoughts were that locally stored hires WAV still have more meat on the bones than streaming hires flac but its a close run thing now. I wonder if it would be possible to decode to WAV or stream in WAV? Qobuz has been great for discovering music. Big thanks to the Naim boffins :+1:

Having more than one thread in inevitable. I’ll see whether they warrant being integrated into one thread.

Edit: I’ve combined the two most prominent and similar.

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[quote=“Michaelb, post:132, topic:6251, full:true”]

Same here. Even if I shut the app down while playing a track and the track continues playing and is displayed when reopening the app, the Qobuz username has to be re-entered.

I have reported the issue to Naim support this morning. I’ll update when I hear anything.

Thanks, it will be easier for all new reading members wanting to share and learn.

Just updated last night… I am using an Innuos Zen MK III as a Roon Core & streamer and sending the stream out via ethernet into my Uniti Nova. I’ve always used Qobuz through Roon and the SQ is great, but figured I’d give a shot running it through the native Naim app - which I rarely if ever use.

Turns out there is a noticeable improvement in SQ when running Qobuz from within the Naim app versus Roon. Sound is more robust and sharper; for example, nylon string guitar has more body and attack on the Naim app versus a thinner and less forward sound through Roon.

However, Roon is SO MUCH easier to use as an interface. But I would love to get to learn more about the Naim app just for the sonic improvement alone. Are there any good tutorials about how to build queues and playlists, etc within the Naim app pulling tracks from server library, Tidal, and Qobuz?

Also a couple of issues to note, maybe it’s user error. But when I get out of the Naim app and go back into Roon, the Naim app does not release control of the Nova. I can select tracks in Roon and play them but the track never advances, it simply sits there like the Naim app still is controlling the streamer. Is there a better way to hand off control from the app to Roon?

Also, I have had intermittent hum coming from the speakers, particularly when the Nova is in sleep mode. Now with the update it does seem that the hum is more consistent and will not always go away simply by plugging and unplugging the unit. Not sure if this is a consequence of the update or just a worsening in the behavior of the Nova (I am swapping it out for a new one in a couple weeks with my dealer due to this problem and a few others).

Finally, is there any resource that explains how to set up an Innuos Zen as a local server versus setting up as a Roon Core? I’d like to learn more about using the Naim app and integrating my local files from the Zen but I cannot find anywhere to configure the Innuos as a local server and have it show up in the Naim app.

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Hi, I think it just takes time to get familiar with the Naim app. Personally, I prefer its uncluttered interface to Roon, which has so much stuff going on that you really need to use it on a computer. Not something I want to do while listening. I guess that’s partly because I’m very familiar with the Naim app.
Building a play queue is pretty easy. You can mix tracks from Tidal, Qobuz and local storage, drag them into the order you want, delete tracks, etc. Tap the … icon next to a track or album for these options.
Regarding the hum issue, do you have Server mode enabled in the Naim app? This will stop the main transformer from turning off when the unit goes into standby.
I’m pretty sure Innuos servers cannot run a UPnP server and Roon at the same time, so you may need to disable Roon while using it with UPnP.

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I have reduced my purchases now too. The only exception is with some compilation and film score music - where they seem to often have quite restrictive licensing rights for streaming in certain countries - and then I do buy the CD - but it does force me to play at 44.1/16 but I can live with that :slight_smile:

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