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Qobuz sound quality intermittent issues?

Sat down for a listen few days ago for a listen. Patricia Barber “Cafe Blue”. Sounds flat, soundstage all cluttered in the center, glaring mids, muddy bass, details subdued, highs rolled. Tried several other albums, same thing. Got so frustrated signed up for Tidal trial. Played same albums on Tidal sounds like it should. Back to Qobuz and no bueno. Tested network speed, in the upper 200s. This morning rebooted all routers (eero mesh, Apple AirPort base station. Rebooted the player.  Played same material and seems to be back to normal on Qobuz
Anyone else ending up in the same boat?
What gives?

Auralic Aries G1 player, Bryston BDA-3 DAC. 

128x128audphile1

Showing 1 response by rhljazz

rhljazz
1,249 posts
 
audphile1, I experienced the same issues during the first week or so of my Qubuz trial.  I was ready to jettison Qobuz.  Then for some inexplicable reason the sound improved.  I have two days left before the end of the free trial.  At this point I’m inclined to keep Qobuz and cancel Tidal.
 I find Qobuz to sound more detailed and natural.  Tidal definitely incorporates a bass boost with a tipped top end which is a plus in one of my systems, not so much in my latest system.  However, Qubuz has an oddity I find disturbing.  Files labeled HD play through my vintage Linn Numerik???  The Chord Hugo also indicates a 16/44 stream.  They play and sound fine but why the HD label when they’re not?
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