Bump bump bump I signed up for Qobuz email alerts two years ago I've never gotten one. And now October 2018 is "sometime early" 2019. At this point I won't believe it's coming until it's here.
News: Qobuz Hi-Res platform's debut is scheduled for this October. See Qobuz Links below
I have been looking for information on Qobuz for many months and finally was able to get some useful information about its "scheduled" release date, information on who is working at Qobuz, some features and other background information. I will add additional information as I get it. Please see:
Some Qobuz Features are:
Over 40 million 16/44 tracks and over 2 million high-resolution tracks up to 24/192 bit high resolution.
You can actually off-line any album or track onto your computer, phone and many servers. So if your Internet is not up to full 24/192 streaming, but you need to have a perfect demo, you can download unlimited playlists and albums in high resolution.
1) Qobuz Names Music Industry Veteran Dan Mackta Managing Director USA with more Key Executives for U.S. Launch:
2) Qobuz Named Official High-Resolution Streaming Service of Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest:
Some Qobuz Features are:
Over 40 million 16/44 tracks and over 2 million high-resolution tracks up to 24/192 bit high resolution.
You can actually off-line any album or track onto your computer, phone and many servers. So if your Internet is not up to full 24/192 streaming, but you need to have a perfect demo, you can download unlimited playlists and albums in high resolution.
About Qobuz
Founded in 2007, Qobuz is a French commercial online music streaming and download service that addresses the needs of curious and discerning music lovers across the globe. It is currently available in Europeand the UK and Ireland. Complementing its unparalleled expertise in sound quality, Qobuz includes an exceptional range of music genres as well as exclusive editorial content. Qobuz offers subscription to streaming services with CD quality and Hi-Res audio spanning all genres. The service also offers the largest catalogue of 24-bit Hi-Res albums for download. For more information, visit: www.qobuz.com.
My Aurender N10 Music Sever already supports Qobuz streaming and I am anxious to start listening to Qobuz music streaming.
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Please see “Worth the wait: Qobuz US launch bumped to ‘early 2019’”. https://darko.audio/2018/11/worth-the-wait-qobuz-us-launch-bumped-to-early-2019/ |
An Update from Michael Lavorgna / Twittering Machines: https://twitteringmachines.com/news-qobuz-prepares-for-us-launch-announces-pricing-plan/ |
My friend saw this on the Room Forum that there is now an English Qobuz store. You can search but not buy. This link does not answer your question if the Qobuz trail includes 24-bit/192Kbps streaming. BTW, some of these links do not work. https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/shop As you know, Qobuz is available in Europe and seems to have a strong following. Qobuz has made no announcement about its USA features and/or availability. My best guess is they are very busy working on hardware capabilities, software, marketing and/or legal issues with artist payments, etc. For some reason, it seems, they are keeping a low profile and not making any announcement about feature and/or a release date. A Qobuz Press Release with some info would be helpful to keep the “buzz” going. So, now we wait. |
I have been using free trial since my return from RMAF. So far no quibbles, the catalog is well laid out in my Conductor app. To my ears, the 24bit/96kHz files on Qobuz has a bit more fuller sound compared to MQA - 24bit/96kHz files. In comparison, the MQA files seems ‘tweaked’ in high frequency and slightly less weighty in bass. |
I have an overseas QOBUZ account that I use over here. By far the best Hi Rez Service (I have Tidal as well). The classical selection is second to none. With that said, I generally do not expect companies to stick to their launch dates. Heck, remember HDTracks Streaming that was suppose to kick off in 2017? |
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To the best of my knowledge, Qobuz has NOT BEEN launched in the USA and I have no additional information when it will be released. Their web site (as of 10/25/18) states "Qobuz will launch in the United States in 2018. Leave us your email address and we will keep you updated!”. I entered my email address and have not received a response. I am hoping for a "Qobuz Press Release" that provides additional information about Qobuz, its steaming options, pricing, catalog content, expected USA release date and anything else they can include. They have been very quiet and I do not understand why. It is possible, of course, Qobuz is working very hard on their hardware, software, catalog preparation, marketing, legal issues and what ever else is needed for a USA Launch. We need to give them more time to complete their USA Launch preparations. Hopefully, it will be soon. |
16/44.1, 24/96, and 24/192 all sound great, agreed. I'm just starting and had Tidal but MQA although nice on some tracks is limited and a non-starter with its aim to takeover the industry. On my high-end tube rig, Tidal does not compare in the standard 16/44.1 quality. The jazz listings are beyond belief. They must have had historians digging albums up. I've listened to Robben Ford & Larry Carlton live in Paris. It was standard redbook but it was super good. It was easily better than the Tidal flac quality. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. Have not looked through the entire rock catalog so can't comment. They have 40 million titles and 2 million are high res. "In Between Dreams" by Jack Johnson never sounded better. The subtleties are captured in everything. It's uncanny and best streaming I've heard. Think the official release is later this month. Happy listening. |
"...They have been very quiet"A launch like this is hard. Esp. for a non-domestic company of the scale and ability of Qobuz. When I asked a couple months ago, their customer service replied "We hope open by end of year." I'm guessing that's as good a guess as any. I've not listened to any 24/192 streaming so am not informed to comment on that particular delivery mode. I have listened to alleged "hi-res" audio files from HD Tracks - other than what to me sounded like monkeyed EQ across the frequency spectrum, mostly in mids, for me the difference in sonic "quality" between that and redbook is modest at best. Indeed there are clear-headed perspectives if not analyses about the 'value' of so-called "hi-res" music reproduction (including this, and this). These may be helpful as we try to discern real vs perceived differences in what the streaming services offer. Wrt MQA, there's growing opinion if not evidence of that being a total bucket of bullsh!t. Archimago's usual measured and thoughtful analysis is a good source, and here's another from someone on the ínside, so to speak. |
I am still waiting for Qobuz to provide additional information about its steaming options, catalog content, pricing, expected USA release date and anything else they can provide about their streaming service. They have been very quiet and I do not understand why. Of course, it is possible they might not be ready to market and/or launch in the USA. It could be hardware, Software, staffing or even legal issues. We will see what happens in the next 30-60+ days. As already stated above, I am interested in their 24/192Kbs album streaming service and how it compares to Tidal’s MQA coded album streaming. I am also interested in seeing how their album catalog compares to Tidal’s album catalog. If you have any additional Qobuz information, please post it. Thanks. |
In case you, like me, were wondering what happened to this thread the past couple days: -------- Forwarded Message -------- |
I don't know what is going on over here, but Tidal using the same app, sounds much better to my ears. Open, airy, more focused. It is not even close on the albums I compared. I just got it yesterday, so have not given it the widespread try with more music, but was surprised at the results I got comparing. |
“Trump signs bill that ensures music streaming services pay artist royalties. The legislation substantially changes the way musicians are compensated for their work played on digital streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora”. https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/trump-signs-bill-ensures-music-streaming-services-pay/story%3fid=58440865 |
@nickolaspappas, Thanks. Are you listening to the Qobuz 24/192 Kbs Streaming or 24/96 Kbs streaming? How is their classical, jazz and blues catalog? What does it mean their pop, rock and alternatives catalog is terrible? Are you unable to find the albums you are looking for or is their catalog just limited? Does Qobuz have any plans to improve their pop, rock and alternatives catalog? Do you have any other comments about Qobuz Streaming? I am anxiously looking forward to Qobuz in the USA but have no information when it will be available. Qobuz was the RMAF but, to my knowledge, there were no announcement made about its USA launch date. I also heard, but not confirmed, the Qobuz 24/192 Kbs streaming option is $249 per year. |
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Signed up for a 30 day trial and playing 16/ 44 album. Obviously very comparable to Tidal 16/44 sq. However a quick search of some of my favourite rock artists shows that the Quboz catalog is much less comprehensive than Tidal. Bear in mind this is just for rock I listen to , your results may vary immensely. No idea how you jazz and classical listeners will fare. So just first quick impressions are that for me the move to Quboz from Tidal would be a backwards move in terms of MY musical preferences selection. Ymmv. |
Qobuz (pronounced CO-buz), a Paris-based online music streaming and download service for music lovers, has been named the Official High-Resolution Streaming Service for the upcoming 15th Annual Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest (RMAF). Does anyone attending the RMAF have any comments regarding Qobuz? How good is their sound quality (24-bit albums)? How extensive is the catalog? When will it be officially released in the USA (Launch date)? What are its streaming costs? Will Qobuz offer a free trial period? How does Qobuz compare to Tidal in terms of sound quality and catalog size? Do I need both streaming services or is one enough? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.. |
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@ssfas, Thank you for your above post on using Qobuz. How does 24/192 bit steaming compare to Tidal's MQA steaming option? Are you talking mayor sound quality differences or slightly improved? Any additional comments on using 24/192 steaming would be appreciated. How many 24/192 bit albums does Qobuz have in their catalog? Thanks again....... I am looking forward for Qobuz to be available in the USA. |
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