Qobuz Connect Launched Yesterday


Pretty sure Qobuz finally has their Connect working.

Started yesterday May 5th.

Not sure what devices have it, but my WiiM Ultra does.

https://help.qobuz.com/en/articles/314578-list-of-brands-integrated-into-qobuz-connect

https://help.qobuz.com/en/collections/692014-qobuz-connect

mofimadness

Working flawlessly, so far. All I needed to do was open the app on the 'puter and do an update. I then chose the player and whalla! That was it.

Tom

Cool. Would love to hear more reports about sound quality and reliability. Roon is reliable and convenient but sound quality isn’t the best. 

Is anyone able to find out how to use it with an iOS device to control the streamer, a la Tidal Connect?  I can see Qobuz Connect on the Mac app, but can't see it on my iPhone/iPad.

Thanks,

JAMES.

Lumin UX1 here. I can't figure out how to get the app updated on my phone yet, as the phone itself states that everything is up to date. My guess would be to delete the app and reinstall.

Tom

Aha, a Qobuz app update on my iPhone did the trick.  Now I see my Lumin U2 on the list.  Works as advertised.

Best, JAMES.

I am using the iOS app. It appears to be up-to-date. The only options I get for any device is via Airplay. Am I missing something?

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It doesn't appear that Android version 9.0.0.0 of the Qobuz app is available yet on Play Store. The only one showing is 8.6.1.1. which doesn't support Qobuz Connect.  Looks like Android users still have a bit of a wait.

Same here,  the only way to see my Aurender is with AirPlay. The list says Aurender should work.

When I first tried this, even though my iPhone app "looked" like it was updated it was not.  I had to go to the app store and update it, works fine now.

I also have a 10" Amazon Fire tablet that I had rooted to put the Play Store on it.  I downloaded the Qobuz app and it worked great.  After reading the post above, I tried again and it didn’t work?  I rebooted my tablet and now it works fine.  Maybe they are fixing some early bugs or something, but it now works on both my iPhone and tablet.

I also rebooted my device, (WiiM Ultra), my iPhone & my tablet just to be sure...

Interesting that I didn't see Sonos on the list. I'm mostly a vinyl guy but have Sonos speakers all over the house and outside for whole home music. I actually switched to tidal because Qobiz s didn't have connect service. Now they do and Sonos isn't supported?

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My software is up to date and Airplay is all I see for my Aurender streamer, but my AVR sees it just fine.  I just sent some questions to Qobuz Support and we’ll see what happens.

What does Qobuz connect do differently than my app for my streamer? HiFi Rose 130 has qobuz and tidal

What is Qobuz Connect ?

Qobuz Connect is a feature that allows you to control music playback remotely. From the Qobuz app, you can start and manage playback on a compatible device connected to the same network (speaker, amplifier, streamer..) without relying on another app or using Bluetooth. This ensures the highest audio quality and allows you to take full advantage of all the features Qobuz as to offer.

Qobuz Connect lets you remotely control compatible devices using a dedicated Qobuz protocol, ensuring optimal audio quality (bit-perfect, with no protocol limitations). It offers seamless playback with no interruptions, thanks to a shared queue across Qobuz apps, and allows you to control one Qobuz app from another (for example, controlling the desktop app from the mobile app). You also get the full Qobuz experience, including all features and editorial content, directly on your Hi-Fi equipment.

Apologies in advance for what I’m sure is a silly question, but when using this app, is one streaming music from one’s iPad to the streamer, or just controlling the streamer, which is independently pulling music from it’s own internet connection?

I’m just thinking I’d rather just control the streamer from the ipad rather than sending music from the ipad to the streamer…or maybe I’m just creating demons which don’t really exist?

Many thanks!

I dunno if it’s just me, but…

I’m hearing a slight collapsing of the soundstage and possibly a touch less brightness when using Qobuz Connect vs the Lumin app, on my Lumin U2.

I recognize this shouldn’t be possible, should it?  I felt it right out of the gate, and then subsequent testing seems to support this observation.

Anyone else using a Lumin experience this?

JAMES

Well, I experienced some dropouts using Qobuz Connect, while the WiiM app did not have this issue.

Does anyone know if this is only for specific devices like Lumin and Wiim? Or can it also work to control a PC or Mac running the Qobuz software? 

I got confused.  Why do you need to control a PC running the Qobuz app?  You will run the Qobuz app. (instead of streaming app.) on PC/Mac/iphone to stream the music

Update - I was able to get the Android version of Qobuz Connect 9.0.0.0 installed on my phone by turning on participation in the beta version in Play Store.  As for what devices it works with, Qobuz, here is a list of brands from the Qobuz web site: 

Aavik; Arcam; Atoll Electronique; Audiolab; Auralic; Aurender; Autonomic Controls; AVM Audio; Axxess; B Audio; Cary Audio; Convers Digital; Dan Dagostino; dCS; Denon; Dynaudio; Electro Companiet; Esoteric; Eversolo; Focal; Gold Note; Hegel; Heos; HiFi Rose; Inklang; Innuos; JBL Premium Audio; Kalista; Libre Wireless Technologies; Lindemann; Lumin; Luxman; Lyngdorf Audio; Marantz; MBL Akustikgeräte; McIntosh; Metronome; Moon; Nagra; Naim Audio; Octavio; PS Audio; Rotel; Ruark Audio; Shanling; Silent Angel; StreamUnlimited; T+A; Teac; Volumio; Wadax; Wattson Audio; Wiim.

 

Thanks for the post! I connected iPad app and PC desktop app last night. Way smoother than any other remote app. Now if Qobuz would update firmware so JPLY FEMTO driver would sync up. 
 

 

@996turbo911...if you're talking about using Qobuz Connect on an iPhone or Android phone or tablet as a remote so you can control your computer, no, the MAC and/or PC doesn't show up in the list.  Probably because the Qobuz App is already on the computer, like @lanx0003 stated.

This would only be an issue, if your computer is in a different room...

Ive only had a Bluesound streamer which always worked remotely from an ipad. Is this new app just an update for other streamers that werent compatable with Qobuz? Im guessing that is why Bluesound is not on the list.

 

@lanx0003 I was wondering about using headless devices like a NUC, a Mac Mini, or similar which run the Qobuz software. These would be installed in a system and then controlled remotely using an iPad or Android tablet or phone. Right now this can be accomplished using remote desktop software but that isn't as elegant as if we could use Qobuz Connect with their app and control directly that way. 

@mofimadness Hopefully my reply above makes sense. I just want another option to add Qobuz streaming in my various systems using a simple computing device I already own, rather than buying a dedicated streamer.

 I was wondering about using headless devices like a NUC, a Mac Mini, or similar which run the Qobuz software. These would be installed in a system and then controlled remotely using an iPad or Android tablet or phone.

Exactly like Spotify Connect. Can Qobuz Connect do that? If yes, that would be fantastic.

Based on my limited knowledge, there are two or three ways you could accomplish that.  The first two ways are through Roon and Audirvana.  Both support Qobuz and have remote app that allow one control playback on PC / Mac from a tablet or phone.  The thrid way is through JRiver.  Since JRiver does have native Qobuz integration, you need to work around it but you could control the playback via its JRemote.  These options are not free as you know.

Lastly, if you could set up a PC/Mac as a UPnP/DLNA control point, you can use apps such as BubbleUPnP, mconnect, or Foobar2000 to control playback. Some servers might be free, but I’m not sure how to pursue and accomplish it. I tried Foobar2000 once but failed. It’s not worth my time now since I have a pretty good streamer.

I dunno if it’s just me, but…

I’m hearing a slight collapsing of the soundstage and possibly a touch less brightness when using Qobuz Connect vs the Lumin app, on my Lumin U2.

I recognize this shouldn’t be possible, should it?  I felt it right out of the gate, and then subsequent testing seems to support this observation.

Anyone else using a Lumin experience this?

Lumin T2 here, no issues with Qobuz Connect at all, no difference I can tell between Lumin App or Qobuz connect.

 

I was wondering if we are still able to utilize Leedh volume processing while using Qobuz connect? My ears are telling me Leedh is still present, but wasn’t 100% sure…

 

 

@texasblues1959   QoBuzConnect won't see my Innuos ZENith MKIII but it sees my WiiM Ultra.  My Sense App sees both as does the WiiM App, so apparently it doesn't support Innuos yet ?  

Same with my Innuos.  Got a popup on my Qobuz app that connect was now available.  Checked and my iPad, Qobuz app, Zen MK3 and Sense app are up to date.  All on the same Wi-Fi network.  Connect sees my iPad but not my Innuos so still using the Sense app on my iPad to run Qobuz.  Hopefully will update and show soon so I can compare using both.  

What am I missing here...???....I really like the Innuos Sense app on my iPad or iPhone.  Very feature-rich, plus it lets me seamlessly play the files stored in my Zennith Mk3, as well as Qobuz, and Radio stations.

What is there to gain by switching to the Qobuz app?

For those not understanding, these "connect" apps, when implemented and supported on the streamer, allow you to pass off the URL of the stream directly to your streamer such that it is no longer going through your cellphone or iPAD or computer. Your cellphone, iPAD, or computer at that point is only acting as a remote control. You can start a stream and turn your phone off if you want or leave and the music continues to play. It is early. Give them time to roll out updates to other streamer companies. It won't happy overnight. As we know, software on even some expensive streamers simply isn't updated very often by the small boutique companies and is often the weakest link in an otherwise great hardware implementation. 

@moonwatcher 

Count me among those who don't quite understand the virtue of Qobuz Connect for my gear.  I can already have Qobuz continue to play through my BluOS app even if I turn off my iPhone.

It also gives you all of the features of the direct app.  Like reviews, editorial content, more info than what a 3rd party app does.  Kinda like Roon, but maybe not as extensive.

Thank you Moonwatcher & Mofimadness.

I could be wildly wrong about all this, but when I am using the Innuos Sense app on either my iPad or iPhone, it is acting strictly as a remote controller (and volume control) for the Zennith  Server/Streamer.  

The streamed (Qobuz, Radio Paradise, etc.) signal does NOT pass thru my iPad or iPhone, or the Sense app in any way.

The "stream" from my router feeds directly into the ethernet port on the back of the Zennith server/streamer, and the output from that box goes directly into my DAC.

The Sense app is very well developed and, for me, has been extremely reliable and easy to use, smoothly integrating my ripped files and streamed Qobuz files.  Innous continuously improves and  updates their software. 

I guess my concern is that the new Qobuz app will only control Qobuz, and that I would still need the Sense app to control the music server portion of my Zennith to play my ripped files.  

Always happy to try something new, if improvement is likely, and I am very happy with Qobuz as my streaming service.

Maybe great for someone who only streams Qobuz.

 

 

 

 

@Drmuso, Qobuz connect is meant to function like Title Connect and Spotify Connect. 

You currently use your iPhone to access the BlueOS app on your streamer. BlueOS has a watered-down version of Qobuz on it that will give you limited functionality. The connect version allows you to use the Qobuz app that is on your iPhone to control your Blue sound streamer, giving you access to the more extensive features in the actual Qobuz app and the same freedom of not streaming from phone to streamer. 

As stated several times in the discussion and on the Qobuz website Bluesound is not yet supported, so you'll have to wait a while to try this feature.

Tried connecting to my PS Audio DirectStream DAC, but Qobuz didn't see it.

Paul McGowan from PS Audio confirmed on their own forum they're still finalizing the firmware update to support Qobuz Connect. Should release some time this month (May 2025)

@jimintally...I was confused too.  This is the way it was explained to me from a software developer:

Any 3rd party app, (Innous Sense, Bluesound BluOS, WiiM, etc) has to be connected to the service, (Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc) or you wouldn’t be able to get into it.  No playlists or albums or anything, so it’s not just a remote control.  That set of programming protocols are different, (and limited) to allow this to happen.

A "connect" feature is directly connected to the service, (via a different set of protocols) that allow all of the features and sound quality, just like using the main app.

None of the apps, (3rd party or connect) pass the actual audio through the phone or iPad, unless you are using Bluetooth or Airplay, (or using the device as the actual streamer).

The main benefits of using the "connect" feature are "supposed" to be better audio/sound quality and getting all the features that the main app has to offer.

You are absolutely right that these "connect" features ONLY work on the service they are programmed for, so if you switch a lot between services or music stored locally, you have to use the device's app.

Hope this helps a little...

 

The app passes the Qobuz music via your streamer to your audio system.  The app is controlled by your iPad separately and has no effect on the music stream or it's quality.

And, Roon playing Qobuz sounds great.  I use their Nucleus streamer and also tune Qobuz vis the internal streamer Mosaic in my dCS Bartok DAC.  I can hear no difference on a six figure audio system.  If Roon does not sound right on your system, you may have something to better optimize with your internet hookup. 

Listened to Qobuz Connect today and was very, very impressed with some of the hi-res recordings. My Hegel h400 and Magnepan 1.7s delivered some great music!