[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!

[Spiritz69]

Definitely u should choose Qobuz,
specially if u got nice gear to enjoy it.

[spider623]

The only issue with Qobuz it's heavily region locked and people outside the US can't use it

[El0h1m]

True.
Let's hope they will expand very soon. And I'm sure they will.

[londonguy73]

since when has qobuz been unavailable outside the US? it's a French company and I've had no issues accessing it 

[HoverDonkey]

Well, that's totally not true. I'm a very happy Qobuz subscriber in the UK.
Peace.

[El0h1m]

We all know that Qobuz IS available in the UK.

[LawLee]

Qobuz Locations [credit: Wikipedia]

Open in France since 2007, Qobuz extended its reach in December 2013 to eight European countries: United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands then, in 2017, in Spain and Italy.

In 2018, Qobuz was active in eleven countries. In 2019, Qobuz opened its subsidiary in the United States.

On April 15, 2021, Qobuz made its streaming and downloading offers available in six new countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Australia and New Zealand.

On May 4th, 2022, Qobuz, continues its global expansion with the opening of its service in six new countries: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and, in Europe, Portugal.

[londonguy73]

so in other words, qobuz is available in a lot of places and stating it's landlocked to the US is total **bleep** 

[Sonos_Steve]

Qobuz (UK) really is excellent, and I use it exclusively for my HiFi.

It's simply the best sounding of the uncompressed formats.

The different between Spotify and Qobuz is there for all to hear.

Problem is, Qobuz is not integrated with Sonos / Alexa voice control.

Spotify is.

The family like Spotify. I don't think they'd be disappointed with Qobuz though.

The app is fine. Options for data use fine.

They don't use the Spotify Podcast / community stuff.

So that's my one problem.

[HoverDonkey]

Could always try Amazon. Cheaper and MUCH higher quality.

And fully integrated with Alexa and Sonos!