Bad news for those of us who like to download lossless.
They’re hopeful they can recover. I do hope so.
http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/info/Actualites/Why-you-should-support-Qobuz177798
Qobuz going into receivership on Monday
by 17 Comments
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I believe they did, in fact, recover.
They did! I saw this in ‘recently updated’ and thought “oh no, not again!”
I did think Fitz could have waited until the 14th of November to ‘celebrate ‘ ten years on.
I was going to ask the resident experts a question about Qobuz – then I thought if I searched on “Qobuz”, it might already have been discussed. Imagine my surprise when I found this – I reacted like Mr F before I spotted the date…
What was the question?
@pencilsqueezer
Well…I’ve taken the free trial route for a month. I don’t currently own a standalone streamer but have been trying it out using the application in my Novafidelity X40 hard disc player. The user interface is horribly clunky (inputting names one letter at a time using the remote, etc) but the sound is superb – EXCEPT that it occasionally jumps on to the next track – maddening! Is this a known issue with Qobuz? If not, might it be the X40? I didn’t think it sounded like a wireless artifact – the sound doesn’t drop out completely, just jumps straight on to the next track.
Could be a reason to buy a dedicated streamer? Or, could be a reason to quit while I’m ahead?
First things first. A standalone streamer will definitely make interactions with Qobuz and other streaming options such as internet radio a lot easier and improve the SQ further due to the much better dac the streamer will have onboard. I’d recommend you take a look at devices from Wiim as a starting point. They are very competitively priced, sound pretty good and are ready to use Qobuz Connect which means you would be able to use the Qobuz app on your phone or tablet making the whole experience easier and much more pleasurable. As for the issue with track skipping, it is something that Qobuz has a problem with, although it’s only very, very occasional. I think it’s occurred in my usage a few times. I’ve found restarting the track cures it. It’s irritating when it happens but due to it only happening rarely I can live with it because the SQ of Qobuz is the best I’ve heard. If you need any other advice drop me an email.
Cheers, Mr P. I’m not too concerned about improving SQ – the X40 has a ES9018K2M Sabre³² Reference DAC, so the sound is already there.
However, I can see me just never using it for Qobuz, due to the awful, awful user interface. I take your point about track skipping – restarting the track seems to fix it, for that track and also for the rest of the album.
Wiim, you say? I shall investigate further!
Also… Connect means the audio stream data doesn’t go through your phone/tablet, so should be a more stable connection.
Huzzah! Thanks, both – I am a complete neophyte in the wonderful and frightening world of streaming…
Any thoughts on Cambridge Audio MXN10? Or does Wiim Ultra lead the pack at that price point?
I have no direct experience with Cambridge or Wiim streamers so I can’t comment upon their SQ. The Wiim I know to be universally praised where as the Cambridge is rarely mentioned. Make of that what you will. The deal maker for me is that Wiim is Qobuz Connect ready the Cambridge is not although Cambridge say that their products will be so by the end of the year. I’ve heard that one before. I cannot stress enough how much the Connect feature improves one’s pleasure in using a streaming service so for me in a choice between the two the Wiim would be where my money would be going.
If you decide to indulge and you really should, it’s a game changer across the board and you need any advice setting your chosen device up just give me a nudge.
Once you get to a point where the hardware can handle the data/formats, it’s mostly a question of the user-friendliness of the app.
Mr Squeezer has much more experience of these things than I do. My Naim streaming pre is 10 years old (so is considered an antique) and only does Tidal.
Many thanks, chaps.
Very, very pleased with my Wiim streamer. Coupled with Wharfedale speakers , I have a system costing approx a tenth of the old one I gave away a few years back which to my ancient ears sounds just as good. Coupled with access to seemingly every record ever made and I’m Mr Happy .
Good to hear, thanks.
Due to space restrictions I invested in a WiiM Ultra hooked up to the new WiiM Vibelink amp.
Very happy with the sound quality streaming Qobuz through this system.
The WiiM app is superb ( none better ).
Room correction, EQ settings and more.
However the Connect function is top notch from Qobuz. I also think (through my cloth ears) a small, perceptible increase in sound quality using Connect.
As an aside totally amazed by the Fosi pre amp box 5 at £94 from the dodgers. (Has 4 gain settings).
Completely lifted my secondary vinyl deck with amazing results. Full, rich sound.
Stunning.