Qobuz and the Qobuz app version 9

[Donuk]

Hi Kabineers
Not my area of expertise at all, but I must share my latest experience with Qobuz.

I have used Qobuz for streaming through my system for some time, and find it excellent.

I became aware that it has upgraded its own control app to version 9, with some stated improvements. Usually I used Lumin which fully meets my needs. So I downloaded Qobuz 9 to my iPad and opened it up. Just put in my Qobuz details and music was emanating from my iPad.
Then I clicked around until I found the AirPlay option to put it through to my streamer, an old style Klimax DS2 with Utopik and Organik boards.

The resulting sound is absolutely gorgeous. I will spare you the usual hifi adjectives and eulogies, but it was at least as good as that generated by my Melco which I use as a NAS.

I still have to get used to the menus and options.

Anyone else tried using it this way with good results? Seems amazing that a signal that presumably has to make two journeys by wifi as opposed to the direct wiring I usually employ should sound so good. Food for thought.....

Cheers from sunny downtown York, Donuk

[timster]

Question.
Is there a reason you Airplay from your iPad rather than use the DS Qobuz integration to play directly?
Is there a difference between them?

Android Qobuz app is still at v8 but I did get a notice that an update was coming soon.

[FearofMusic]

It is my understanding from the software release notes that Qobuz version 9 on Android (and version 8 on Windows) introduces "Qobuz Connect" (QC).

QC allows music to be played on QC compatible devices using the Qobuz app. For example, the Qobuz app could be used to play Qobuz music on a DSM if Linn ever update the DSM software to support QC.

The supposed advantages of QC might include ...

... The Qobuz app has more features and functions than are available using the Qobuz options from within the Linn App.
... The DSM will receive music at the maximum resolution (up to 24/192) available from Qobuz and will not be restricted by the maximum rate of Chromecast (24/96) or Airplay (16/48) when using the Qobuz app.

Currently, the Linn App delivers hi-res Qobuz music at up to 24/192 but does not have the full functions of the Qobuz app.

[Pedro2]

So, any sign of Qobuz Connect appearing on a Linn streamer. Just checked the list of manufacturers that now can utilise it and Linn is a notable absence! Are linn programmers a very small team, I wonder?

[timster]

So, any sign of Qobuz Connect appearing on a Linn streamer. Just checked the list of manufacturers that now can utilise it and Linn is a notable absence! Are linn programmers a very small team, I wonder?

I was just going to ask the same question!
I'm not a subscriber but would be useful for sampling at least.

[Linnewby]

So, any sign of Qobuz Connect appearing on a Linn streamer. Just checked the list of manufacturers that now can utilise it and Linn is a notable absence! Are linn programmers a very small team, I wonder?

I am a Qobuz subscriber and was disappointed to not see LINN supporting QConnect yet. Wrote to LINN support:

My Question: "Hello, I was disappointed to not see LINN as one of the brands with Qobuz Connect support. Is there a timeline for this? Thanks."

LINN Support Response:

"Thank you for your e-mail

I have spoken to the Software Team about your message and I have been advised that Qobuz Connect will be investigated, although at this stage it is unfortunately not possible to say if Qobuz Connect will or can be supported."

So fingers crossed I guess.

[timster]

You'd have thought they'd have been made aware of it a while ago. The other brands are already live with it.
Apparently there's also Tidal Connect. Wonder if that's in the same development black hole?

[DiggyGun]

Having just checked, I’m now at version 9. Tried this out and found the correct button to press, it gave the options of;
- iPad (currently using)
- AirPlay to Linn streamer
- AirPlay to AppleTV on bedroom TV
- AirPlay to AppleTV on living room TV

Tried the AirPlay to Linn streamer and that worked OK, will try the two Apple TV boxes over the weekend.

[timster]

Having just checked, I’m now at version 9. Tried this out and found the correct button to press, it gave the options of;
- iPad (currently using)
- AirPlay to Linn streamer
- AirPlay to AppleTV on bedroom TV
- AirPlay to AppleTV on living room TV

Tried the AirPlay to Linn streamer and that worked OK, will try the two Apple TV boxes over the weekend.

I'm guessing the Airplay option is because Qobuz Connect isn't available

[timster]

Just got v9 on my android. It won't play CD quality samples though. Very distorted and even seems wrong speed sometimes. I can play CD quality of my purchases though.

Anyone else have this issue? It may be because I'm not a subscriber and they've changed the 'free samples' to mp3 only, but if so it should be automatic.

[DiggyGun]

@timster

I must admit that I am a bit confused with Qobuz Connect and what it can actually do.

So just trying to understand it all.

[Gussy]

@timster

I must admit that I am a bit confused with Qobuz Connect and what it can actually do.

So just trying to understand it all.

Yeah, me too!

Why do Linn owners even need it…? Access to Qobuz is fully integrated in the LinnApp and Kazoo.

What’s the point?

[timster]

@timster

I must admit that I am a bit confused with Qobuz Connect and what it can actually do.

So just trying to understand it all.

Yeah, me too!

Why do Linn owners even need it…? Access to Qobuz is fully integrated in the LinnApp and Kazoo.

What’s the point?

I think it means you can use the Qobuz app instead of the Linn app as the control point, but Connect will play direct from Qobuz rather than via the phone/device.
I think for browsing Qobuz their app is probably better.

[Moomintroll]

https://help.qobuz.com/en/articles/307 ... uz-connect

Looks like it’s a control point, as Timster suggests.

[KJH]

It’s about multi room / device management of “Connect” able devices. One can synchronise music to multiple speakers or devices from the one user app…

[Ian_km]

Yes, not sure I actually need it, happy with the Linn app.

I suppose as I have a Naim Muso2 in the kitchen, then one app could control both, but really having a Linn and a Naim app is no hardship.

[FearofMusic]

I must admit that I am a bit confused with Qobuz Connect and what it can actually do.

What’s the point?

I use the "Suggestions" and "Radio" in the Qobuz app to find music based upon the music that I am already playing.

[Millennial]

Installed on iPhone and operating on my streamer. App just asked me to allow network access in the iPhone settings. Now using phone App but whilst a nice interface somethings not the same…

Going back to linn integrated until somebody can enlighten me.

[FearofMusic]

Installed on iPhone and operating on my streamer. App just asked me to allow network access in the iPhone settings. Now using phone App but whilst a nice interface somethings not the same…

It is likely that using the Qobuz app to drive a DSM involves Airplay ... Using the Linn app does not use Airplay ...

Re: Qobuz and the Qobuz app version 9

[Millennial]

So I’m sending the audio from iPhone over the network to the streamer rather than just being a remote control?

[timster]

So I’m sending the audio from iPhone over the network to the streamer rather than just being a remote control?

Until Linn integrates qobuz connect, yup.
Try it. Send the DS something from the qobuz app. Then close the app. I bet you'll get silence

[Gussy]

So I’m sending the audio from iPhone over the network to the streamer rather than just being a remote control?

Until Linn integrates qobuz connect, yup.
Try it. Send the DS something from the qobuz app. Then close the app. I bet you'll get silence

But what possible advantage could sending the music to your streamer via a phone have?
You can load up a playlist using the LinnApp and then switch your phone off, the streamer requests each track direct from the Qobuz servers.

Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work….?

[Donuk]

Just to clarify my original post. I have now learned a lot more about the Qobuz app Thanks guys.

My original point was simply to point out the surprisingly good audio quality resulting from AirPlay, with no drop-outs, albeit 70Mb over 5G. According to the app it does generate 192/24 if so configured. I tried installing the app on my iPhone and that was not nearly as good as my old iPad.

As it is, it is quite clever the way it remembers your old Favourite tracks and produces a sort of play list, under Library.

We will just have to nag Linn about incorporating Qobuz connect and see what other toys there might be.

Nevertheless I still prefer Lumin, which does everything I need and for me handles Qobuz well enough.

[timster]

So I’m sending the audio from iPhone over the network to the streamer rather than just being a remote control?

Until Linn integrates qobuz connect, yup.
Try it. Send the DS something from the qobuz app. Then close the app. I bet you'll get silence

But what possible advantage could sending the music to your streamer via a phone have?
You can load up a playlist using the LinnApp and then switch your phone off, the streamer requests each track direct from the Qobuz servers.

Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work….?

We were discussing Qobuz Connect which came in v9 of the qobuz app. Linn have yet to implement it.
You're right of course, using the Linn integration with the Linn app is still the best way, but that may change with Connect.

[Gussy]

Thanks, timster - let’s see how things develop.