Ongoing Beta Beta Test: Qobuz Connect

[adias]

… only the audio quality of the music from Qobuz is a tad better -- less processed-sounding -- to my ears.

I tried all major stream services. Qobuz is Ok but, to my years, Apple Music beats them all even when listened in its AAC compressed version. I tried hard to maintain Qobuz (still have 5 months left in the default year sub they refuse to refund) but Apple sounds better and has much better metadata, especially for classical music. And yes, Qobuz customer communication is atrocious. It surprises me that they are still in business.

 

[EddNog]

I tried all major stream services. Qobuz is Ok but, to my years, Apple Music beats them all even when listened in its AAC compressed version. I tried hard to maintain Qobuz (still have 5 months left in the default year sub they refuse to refund) but Apple sounds better and has much better metadata, especially for classical music. And yes, Qobuz customer communication is atrocious. It surprises me that they are still in business.

Yes, but the problem is that Apple locks down things too much and makes it extremely difficult to support their service natively. Only an Apple devices and Android-based devices (which allow you to install Apple’s official Apple Music app from the Google Play Store) support Apple Music natively. I held off for an extremely long time before getting a WiiM streamer because of this since I was on Apple Music. I finally gave in and converted to Qobuz via Soundiiz and replaced my Android-based DAP with the WiiM Ultra and I’m never going back.

-Ed

 

[adias]

Yes, but the problem is that Apple locks down things too much and makes it extremely difficult to support their service natively. Only an Apple devices and Android-based devices (which allow you to install Apple’s official Apple Music app from the Google Play Store) support Apple Music natively. I held off for an extremely long time before getting a WiiM streamer because of this since I was on Apple Music. I finally gave in and converted to Qobuz via Soundiiz and replaced my Android-based DAP with the WiiM Ultra and I’m never going back.

-Ed

Yeah, I took the opposite direction and will never look back

For critical listening Apple Music on iPad connected to main system.

For convenience, and still top notch quality, a legacy AirPlay 1 device, like a 1st gen Airport Express, toslinked to Ultra, in turn connected via USB to the main system’s DAC. The Ultra acts as a DDC device converting toslink/SPDIF to asynchronous USB. Lossless performance, up to CD quality, and the convenience of a remote control app.

 

[Burnside]

How’s the beta test going? Have there been many app and firmware updates since it started and how close is it to a public release?

 

[azoriusmage]

How’s the beta test going? Have there been many app and firmware updates since it started and how close is it to a public release?

Really need an update for the WiiM Pro playback issue not seen anything yet

 

[Burnside]

So discovered a couple of interesting things during my testing today.

• When Qconnecting to the master of a WiiM group, unlike what happens with playlists, if I play albums that have the same bit rate/depth on all tracks, gapless or not, the distortion doesn't occur. So perhaps it's the changes in bit rate/depth that WiiM isn't handling elegantly.
• On anything played to a grouped set of WiiM devices, the WiiM app doesn't accurately track a song's progress. Instead, the progress indicator goes to about 7-9 secs, then resets to zero and repeats over and over again. The Qobuz app tracks perfectly. I have screen recordings of both on the same selection.

Here it is in Qobuz Qconnect beta (sorry, this forum replays GIF files, but the tracking is accurate throughout in the Qobuz app):

...and in WHA (this file is repeating as well, but in the WHA, the progress tracking constantly resets at 9 secs or so):

Can you see what resolution the primary and secondary members of the group are playing? Given Linkplay groups reportedly only support up to 24/48, is it tracks higher than that which show the issue?

You’ve mentioned Tidal Connect previously - what resolutions do the group members support for that?

 

[azoriusmage]

Can you see what resolution the primary and secondary members of the group are playing? Given Linkplay groups reportedly only support up to 24/48, is it tracks higher than that which show the issue?

You’ve mentioned Tidal Connect previously - what resolutions do the group members support for that?

I set mine to CD Quality only and it still occured.

 

[Burnside]

I set mine to CD Quality only and it still occured.

Thanks. Still would like to know what grouped WiiM devices deliver with Qobuz and Tidal Connect, more out of curiosity than anything else as I doubt I’d hear a difference.

 

[Mr Ee]

Thanks. Still would like to know what grouped WiiM devices deliver with Qobuz and Tidal Connect, more out of curiosity than anything else as I doubt I’d hear a difference.

Tidal connect a 192khz album to a single wiim, external dac shows 192.
Add another wiim (via wiim home app), dac changes to 48.
Remove 2nd wiim, dac continues to show 48 for rest of the track and for the next one too.
Disconnect/reconnect tidal from/to wiim and dac shows 192 again.

 

[Bozzz]

I tried all major stream services. Qobuz is Ok but, to my years, Apple Music beats them all even when listened in its AAC compressed version. I tried hard to maintain Qobuz (still have 5 months left in the default year sub they refuse to refund) but Apple sounds better and has much better metadata, especially for classical music. And yes, Qobuz customer communication is atrocious. It surprises me that they are still in business.

Agree 100%. I stream Apple Music classical to my ultra. Sounds fantastic. So easy to find new musicians and music I want to hear. My Qobuz sub is still active for a couple more weeks. Have been switching back and forth between the two services streaming the same album. For me the difference is very minimal if at all. Airplay aac 256
Sounds great. I have a pretty decent/revealing stereo system. Just can’t see spending the extra money. I have Apple music family sub. My wife and kids use it. Works great for my setup.

 

[BK308]

Apple Music sounds better than Qobuz? The difference between AAC and Hi Res is negligible at best? This speaks volumes.

 

[Smartplug]

Because these users been listening to countless different music they don’t know what sounds awesome to just ok. As long music comes out on speaker is all that matter. Many users in here are casual listeners. They buy hifi but their source is Spotify that tell you something.

 

[adias]

Because these users been listening to countless different music they don’t know what sounds awesome to just ok. As long music comes out on speaker is all that matter. Many users in here are casual listeners. They buy hifi but their source is Spotify that tell you something.

In your opinion… it’s remarkable what some say about others’ experiences and setups with zero knowledge about them.

 

[Smartplug]

In your opinion…

It’s facts based on what they’re posting here.

 

[Burnside]

Tidal connect a 192khz album to a single wiim, external dac shows 192.
Add another wiim (via wiim home app), dac changes to 48.
Remove 2nd wiim, dac continues to show 48 for rest of the track and for the next one too.
Disconnect/reconnect tidal from/to wiim and dac shows 192 again.

Thanks, appreciate that. Beginning to look like 24/48 is the prevailing limit for multi room groups whether that be Linkplay, Tidal Connect , Chromecast and Amazon Music (both as an Alexa MRM or as a Linkplay group). Even airplay 2 if we leave aside Apple music’s quirkiness. Guess I’ll expect Qobuz Connect to be the same.

I think LMS fares better but I’ll need to check that out again.

Edit: just read your reply elsewhere re Bubbleupnp and Chromecast groups with Tidal - I’ll give that a go and perhaps revise this entire comment

 

[Bozzz]

Because these users been listening to countless different music they don’t know what sounds awesome to just ok. As long music comes out on speaker is all that matter. Many users in here are casual listeners. They buy hifi but their source is Spotify that tell you something.

I get what you’re saying. I have a decent system. WiiM ultra usb out to a fiio k11r2r in NOS mode Willsenton r8 with upgraded tubes. Wharfdale Denton 85th anniversary speakers and an RSL 10smk2 sub. Speaker cables are gifted audio quest evergreen. Maybe it’s my age but at 54 it’s super hard to tell the difference between 256k AAC and Qobuz or tidal at 24/96 or 192. If high res works for others rock on. For me personally Airplay sounds sublime

 

[azoriusmage]

New Qobuz iOS app just got pushed to testflight....just need that WiiM update next

 

[Balthazar B]

Can you see what resolution the primary and secondary members of the group are playing? Given Linkplay groups reportedly only support up to 24/48, is it tracks higher than that which show the issue?

You’ve mentioned Tidal Connect previously - what resolutions do the group members support for that?

Unfortunately, none of my DACs have a means of reporting the resolution of content they're receiving (and I'm not sure I trust the WHA). I've found a couple of interesting things when I streamed several recent Qobuz-assembled playlists, but I don't know what they mean. Just to concentrate on three of them...

• In all cases I used my Pixel Android phone as the controller. and grouped an Ultra (master) with a Pro (slave).
• When I streamed 50 Tracks to Test Your Headphones, it played fine in the group. No distortion or other defects. The playlist is composed entirely of high-res tracks.
• When I streamed Jimmy Carter's Musical Legacy, the first two tracks played correctly, but distortion commenced with the third. The first two tracks are high-res; the third track is CD-quality. Hmmm..
• When I streamed Joan Baez, distortion commenced immediately on the first track. This is a mix of CD and high-res quality, and the first several tracks are the former. Hmmmmmmmmmm....

I tried limiting the digital output resolutions a bit, which didn't have any effect, but I ran out of time and didn't run through all the variations. I still need to test what happens when the WiiM DACs are used, rather than downstream ones. I should have some time on Thursday to do the latter. It would also be interesting to see (hear?) whether completely different downstream DACs make a difference, but unfortunately I don't have the equipment I'd need to test that variable. I'll report back on what I do find. I find it extremely odd that the issue appears to be associated with CD-quality content, but not higher-res. I would have thought the opposite.

I certainly hope WiiM and Qobuz development teams are collaborating in real-time testing this scenario. It's reproducible in my environment, and I'm wondering whether it is the same in others.

 

[Bozzz]

struggling with the new beta connect feature. I installed the app. At least I think I did. Can’t get the connect feature to work. Would like to try the Qobuz app in high res. Not sure if I’m doing it right. Might just wait till it’s finally released

 

[Balthazar B]

struggling with the new beta connect feature. I installed the app. At least I think I did. Can’t get the connect feature to work. Would like to try the Qobuz app in high res. Not sure if I’m doing it right. Might just wait till it’s finally released

Does your WiiM device have firmware dated 12/23/2024?