[All Platforms][Music] HiFi Quality - Lossless Streaming 16bit 44.1khz

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

** please don't lump this suggestion with the main one on lossless downloads, that's a different idea entirely guys!

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

[timiambeing]

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

[LawLee]

@Welcome fellow Qobuzzard! I am constantly impressed with the intelligence built into their Windows application and Android app system. Although many here tout that Spotify does everything right, I for one would give most nods to Qobuz. The one thing I wish they would is have an AI-driven recommendations system like Spotify.

It's eclectic in presenting editorial content, which I like. It appeals to my perspective as an audiophile.

[LawLee]

@petsy48,

What are you listening to Qobuz with? Are you using your phone? Bluetooth headphones, etc.?

[walp]

Qobuz listener here.

Mostly listening to it from my phone on my Focal Elegia via a DAC or casting it to my Chromecast Audio which is connected to my AV receiver via a S/PDIF cable.

[mctesterson]

Qobuz listener here.

I mostly listen to Qobuz via CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 (around US$200) w/ moOde OS into SMSL M100 DAC (no longer available; was US$85 when I bought it), connected to my stereo system.

The sound is AMAZING through a very modest (under $300) but highly capable streamer combo.

I'm streaming an album on Qobuz right now as I type this, at 96kHz/24bit quality.  The bass, the midrange, the vocals, the cymbals ... it all sounds so beautiful and lets me fall fully into the music and really get involved with it emotionally.  Lossy Spotify has never had that effect on me, sadly.  There's a harshness and graininess to Spotify, that high-res from Qobuz renders much more smoothly.

[PaulMac]

Another Qobuz listener.

Streaming it through a Bluesound Node 2i with Hegel H120 amp and Fyne Audio F501 speakers

[petsy48]

Qobuz just came to Canada last month!
The wait was well worth it!!
It's amazing sound!!
I have a node 2i as well.
Goodbye Amazon HD. I've tried them all!
Qobuz is the winner by Far!!
Enjoy my Friend!🎼🎸🎵🎶

[habu77]

Still on Qobuz and not leaving anymore. Sound quality is simply amazing and so audible when A-B'ing music. One of my best mates didn't believe me when I waxed lyrical about the sound. One day we were listening to a piece of Voces8 (I can't remember which song) with full choral impact and a lot of treble from the females. It sounded horrible on Spotify, so bad he said 'I think your tweeters have gone bust'. We looked the album up on Qobuz where it was available at 96/24, played the same song and it was day and night, the highs controlled and fully intelligible and he had to admit that it really made a difference.

I am keeping Spotify because they still have albums that are essential for me which Qobuz hasn't got in their catalogue. But every listening session where I really want to enjoy the music to the fullest my equipment can muster it is Qobuz all the way!

I am listening on a Marantz NR1200 2.0 network receiver which I use as a pre-amp. As a power amp I use the Trends Audio 10.2P, a sub $200 Class T amplifier marvel. It's a tiny device that has completely transformed the sound. Don't be fooled by the modest price, it is a sonic miracle machine and worth checking out. My speakers are Q Acoustics 3050i. I love this budget combo!

[newbs513]

How is this still not implemented? I understand that it’s more than a technical issue, but c‘mon now. This has become too normal in the industry for Spotify to be falling behind. Your algorithm for suggestions is phenomenal, but it won’t keep your subscribers indefinitely if you won’t deliver what Apple, Deezer, Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon all deliver.

[Ynohifi]

Qobuz is just the best for me right now.

Got tired of waiting on Spotify Hifi, left my wife in the 320kbps **bleep** hole, and switched to Qobuz.

working on converting my wife.

Couldn't be happier.

[Ynohifi]

How much music in lossless quality have you downloaded since Spotify Hifi was announced?

For me, its around 700GB (30days of continuous music). I only started about a year ago, when I got tired of waiting.

Those 30 Days of music I will never ever stream from Spotify.

I'm running my own personal lossless audio streaming service through PLEX and PLEX Amp.

What I dont have, Ill stream and eventually download from Qobuz.