Is Qubuz Direct really better

@hgeifman -- QC currently works with 15 different.brands of streamers (and many of these have more than one model which works.) You'll need to contact the manufacturer of your model to see where they are in the process, or if they have even bothered to apply.  A list of currently approved brands is available at Qobuz.com.

I switched to Qobuz Connect and it makes it easier to stream Qobuz with my Innuos MK3 streamer instead of the Innuos app, which is fine otherwise.  Sound wise I can’t say it’s that noticeable but if anything it’s as good if not better in my experience.  I think it’s worth making the switch.  Try it you’ve got nothing to lose and it’s another fun tweak for your system.  

mlsstl,

Thanks for the information.  Infigo Audio confirmed that they would update my Audiorvana release 2.11 to release 3.0 tomorrow on my IS-1 streamer.  As you suggested, once the software update is completed, and working, I will request they add software to their steamer that will enable me to use QoBuz connect.   

I currently use Qobuz on my iPhone and it is sending the audio signal to my Apple TV using Apple Air Play (changed iPhone output to Apple TV).  The Apple TV is connected to my TV using an HDMI cable and the TV sends the audio signal to my Schiit LIM DAC using an optical cable, etc.  The enables me to listen to music.

The upgrade from Audirvana release 2.11 to 3.0 on my Infigo Audio IS-1 streamer was just completed successfully. The new interface is noticeably more intuitive, and I especially like the addition of the Home tab that displays album history. Navigation between tabs feels much faster as well. After completing the update, I rebooted my iPad and reconnected without any issues. Everything is working perfectly and back to normal.

Sound quality is good and more listening will be done tomorrow.  I like Audirvana release 3.0.

There seems to be a confusion about Qobuz Connect vs. non- "Connect."

If you have a streamer with native Qobuz support, and you're controlling it using its software with your controlling device and both are connected to your local network (via wifi or ethernet), the streamer is always getting the files directly from the Qobuz server. whether you're using Connect or not.

With non-connect, the phone/controller sends a command to the streamer telling it to request the audio file from the Qobuz cloud server, the streamer then requests the file, and it's sent from the server to the streamer.  The stream never passes through the controller device.

With connect, the phone/controller sends a command to the server telling it to send a file to the streamer, and the file is sent from the cloud server to streamer just the same as before.

If you were using not a network connected control/command but Bluetooth, Airplay or Chromecast, in those cases the phone/controller would be receiving the stream from the Qobuz server over the internet and then streaming it locally to the other home audio device. But we audiophiles aren't typically using those protocols anyway.

It IS possible with DNLA, using software like Bubble UPnP, to set the local controller as a kind of in-between server to act as a proxy for the stream.  You'd only do that if you were having problems with streaming glitches or something with the files going more directly from server to streamer. But that's a special case that you have to turn on in a particular piece of software. 

For folks using a streamer with native Qobuz support and network connected control of the streamer, there's no audio difference with or without Connect.  The same files is coming from the Qobuz cloud server to the streamer via TCP/IP without stopping at the controller either way.  The difference is just being able to use the native Qobuz app to have the stream sent to the streamer.