I haven’t a clue re Chromecast as I don’t use Android…I just used the word ‘Cast’ to mean sending from the mobile device…
I would have thought some sort of pairing/registration (re Qobuz) would have to be in place for a mobile App to send a stream direct to the playing device…The Qobuz App shows my Sony TV as a possible destination for streaming to from the Qobuz App, which is obvioulsy definitely not set up re my Qobuz account, so to me this suggests the phone will be streaming the feed…
Yes of course the Naim streamer needs Wifi to control – I was just simply pointing out that if you start a stream from the Qobuz App and then turn off your WiFi, the stream would (I think) stop…thus proving it’s coming from the phone/iPad etc…
So what’s the difference between Chromecast and Connect then if using a Naim streamer. They both do this:
It seems to me that Connect is only useful if your streamer doesn’t have Chromecast? Otherwise you can use the Qobuz and Tidal apps with Chromecast anyway?
Yeah, I haven’t a clue now…! Confused by Chromecast…but as I say, something I’ve never actually used…Find it somewhat surprising it can access a playing device without any kind of registration…?
I do think that using the Naim app Qobuz sounds better than using casting. I don’t think Qobuz connect is as important for us compared to other streamers since the Naim product does already a decent job. I agree that the Qobuz app is better in finding stuff than the Naim app.
There’s been a few times lately I’ve tried to find albums recommended in the now playing and recently bought threads. They haven’t showed when searching Qobuz in the Naim app, but I’ve then gone to the Qobuz app, found them and favourite’d them, and tada they then show in the Naim app. Weird.
All news to me….!
I guess the max resolution limit with Chromecast is a downside to direct from Qobuz App (plus obviously other Naim specific control aspects, Multi-room, etc) ….
Yes, there is no UPnP connection possible from the native Qobuz app to Naim devices. If you disable Chromecast Build-in in the Naim app then your Naim device won’t even show in the Qobuz app. Given the fact that Chromecast is only capable of 96kHz you will never get the most right now by using the Qobuz app.
You can also look at from another point. If Qobuz Connect becomes available, it may attract people from streaming services like Tidal, or just make them stay at Qobuz. I know from comments in the Qobuz Club that this is momentarily a reason for people choosing a certain music service over Qobuz. If all other manufacturers implement Qobuz Connect, then ultimately it could make a potential buyer of a Naim device decide on an alternative because the Naim doesn’t support Connect. May sound farfetched, but when I think of it beforehand then possible buyers may as well.
Advantages of “Connect” vs “Google Cast” (ant Connect - Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz):
Status broadcast to multiple controller - if you use Spotify, actual best implementation of Connect IMHO, once your account is active you have the status in sync across all controllers and can resume from any of them
They provide more metadata to the streamer, for display or appearing in native app
They may instruct the streamer so to use local buffer and other hardware capabilities in an efficient way - Google Cast just fetches from the source. In few thread we discussed how Google Cast is heavier in processing same stream than Tidal Connect, following latest Firmware update allowing HiRes on Tidal Connect
Possibly, custom connection channel for any type of data you may need, not limited to the Google Cast standard, for future improvements and no dependencies
In general I think the value is in better and more responsive control, not in streaming quality, so improving the native app user experience. If you do not have/like Roon and have multiple vendors (Naim, Cambridge on my case) the native app working as smoothly as possible is better than two different native apps. I can do with Google Cast today? Yes and I’m doing, but responsivity is not the best.
I’m a Qobuz Club user, and I’ve been pushing Qobuz Connect for years. It’s good that it is coming.
I am a fan of the Spotify Connect technology, but the Spotify HIFI is elusive as ever, so Qobuz Connect is a good alternative.
Yep, Connect is why I moved from Qobuz to Tidal two years ago.
I can use my kitchen Sonos speakers, then tell the Tidal app to send the music to my Naim/innuos/Auralic system when I move to the lounge for listening.
I don’t need to (and never) use the Sonos app or the Auralic app. Their UI is just not as good.
Also like others have said, things like Daily Discovery is missing from Tidal on other apps. And I found that the algorithm also does not see what I’m listening to when not using the native app. At least that’s my experience.
I’ve never tried Chromcast as I’m on iOS. So maybe you already do get that option on Android.
Side note. While syncing playlists between Apple, Tidal and Qobuz I found that Qobuz had a lot of missing music. So that was also another factor in my decision.
@DomTomLondon - I’m on iOS as well, and (subject to some of the issues I’ve identified on this forum - which are now gone and/or resolved through a simple workaround) I use ChromeCast every day.
As I started my streaming life with Squeezeboxes, I still run the Logitech/Lyrion Media Server in parallel with JRiver. This allows access to a number of Google Nest and ChromeCast Audio devices via the ChromeCast plug-in for LMS (as well as my Naim devices although I don’t generally use LMS for those). Moreover the plug-in can be configured to allow for gapless playback. As more than half my listening is classical, including some opera, gapless is a must for me.
BTW and slightly off-topic - I just got a Wiim Pro for use with a pair of powered speakers in my dining room/kitchen, and I discovered that the Wiim can interface directly with LMS, which sees it as a Squeezelite device. Probably not high on Naim’s to-do list.
