Qobuz Connect Launched Yesterday

I have had problems using Qobuz Connect and my Innuos ZEN MK3 streamer. As an aside, that streamer choice was muted in Qobuz and it took me way too long to figure that out! But every now and then (three times so far) when I use Qobuz Connect while in Innuos Sense, the songs seen at the bottom of the screen start skipping from song to song very rapidly and no music plays. It then has frozen once (I got out of the app and restarted my iPhone), and other times appeared to stop doing that - but nothing then played. I have returned to using Qobuz through the Sense App instead and it has been fine - my working assumption has been that this hiccup will work out.

Going back to my previous comment about many albums simply throwing errors when kicked off from both Android and Windows apps, it is (bizarrely) only those albums which are 16-bit which immediately fail.  Every single one.

Whereas every albums at 24-bit play without issue.

Sampling frequency seems to have no impact.  I can play 44.1kHz, 24-bit.  But not 44.1/16.

So, basically every Qobuz album which has the Hi-Res icon is OK.  The rest...not.

@lollipopguild...great question.  I’ll ask one of the programmer/techs.  I know that 99% of the people I have talked to, say they hear an increase in sound quality, so I’m not sure.  It might have to do with "where" in the digital signal chain the volume is controlled from, but I’m just guessing.

I know on my WiiM and Bluesound app, I could also control the volume, so Qobuz Connect is still a more direct access than a 3rd party...

Also, both the streamer's software and Qobuz Connect software have to work together, so there will be a few bugs and tweeks to work out along the way from both ends.

One unexpected benefit, for those households out there which have a family Qobuz account, is that each member can easily stream from their Favourites, as opposed to the Sense app which only permits a single Qobuz account.

Saying that, I've found that maybe only one third of the albums I've tried actually play without throwing errors.  Many albums on Qobuz just will not play via Connect.

However, and this question is for @mofimadness , does not the extra processing of Qobuz Connect impact instead of improving the sound quality?  Both my Qobuz apps (Android and Windows desktop) allow digital volume adjustment.  I don’t see how this is possible without extra processing, and skipping the digital pass-through.

Yes Qobuz Connect is active and I am experiencing improved sonics. This is a very good update. - 

I asked, on the Auralic forum, whether the older Aries Mini and Femto players would become QC enabled, and the general consensus was no, they probably won’t.  Whatever, I like Lightning  DS well enough, and it does sound great!  

Has anyone have tried Qobuz connect on the Esoteric N-05XD? It is listed on the QC web page but haven’t receive any firmware updates yet. 

I find no difference in sound quality between Qobuz Connect and my other streaming apps -- the music is still being delivered digitally from their server to my player. QC is just a controller for selection.  But I'm probably as picky as some others.  

It's a fine app, but the one drawback I have with it is that it has no access to my local collection or the radio stations we listen to (classical & news).  Particularly with the local collection, some of my favorite material is not available on Qobuz (copyright, never released, transferred from LP/open reel, personal recordings) and I like to build personal playlists that include both Qobuz and local material.  So, I still need the other apps. However, QC is a nice app and glad its finally out in the wild and working.

Seems like some folks have issue with their streaming manufacturer. Ask them if a specific product is ready to work with Qobuz Connect. The streaming sound I get with Qobuz Connect is the best to date in my system and for the first time outcompetes wired connection to my M1 MacBook Air. Did some head to head versus HQPlayer 5 and that was revelatory as to how good Qobuz Connect sounds. YMMV

PS Audio just released an update so their AirLens can now connect to Qobuz Connect

I got to use Qobuz Connect for the first time last night on my Naim ND555. I found that I had to reload the Naim app on my iPhone and them download a firmware update from Naim to the unit itself. Qobuz Connect now shows up on the Naim app right beside Tidal Connect. So far I like it. 

@mofimadness 

Yeah I got an iPad I want to test vs my (Roon Server -->BDP Pi)

@jbuhl 

The apps run on the phone or tablet or computer.

The "Connect" app takes a step away.

i.e.  Phone/Tablet>Wiim app>qobuz within the Wiim app

       Phone/Tablet>Qobuz app w/Connect

Most streamers will have their own app (or a 3rd party app).  Qobuz has to be inside that app to work.  The Connect feature is one less set of programming protocols.

@mofimadness 

In my system, in my room, with my equipment and my ears, I hear an increase in depth and width of the soundstage and more bass attack, (I was going to say bass "punch", but attack is the correct word). I was using the WiiM app, so this is compared to that app.

So what was the Qobuz app running on?   Was it also running on the WiiM?

So I finally received a response from Qobuz about connect for Aurender. Even though Aurender is on the list of streamers connect works on, they have not put out any updates for any Aurender streamers, but they’re working on it. When I asked why Aurender as well as many other streamers were on their list and there was no functioning software, all I got was crickets.

I've been using Qobuz Connect for a week now. I was a Qobuz Beta tester and a charter member of the Qobuz Club, (I was also a Tidal Beta tester), so I have a little bit more inside info than most.

One of the top reasons to use a "connect" feature whether it's from Spotify or Tidal or Qobuz is better sound quality. There are some on here that say that's not true...research it, if you don't believe it. It has to do with the programming protocols used. Also another benefit is you get all the features the full blown app has.

In my system, in my room, with my equipment and my ears, I hear an increase in depth and width of the soundstage and more bass attack, (I was going to say bass "punch", but attack is the correct word). I was using the WiiM app, so this is compared to that app.

I've had no problems with dropouts or static or any other abnormalities using Qobuz Connect. It has been very stable and issue free.

I'm sold on it.

Here are a few tips that I learned:

1. Even if you "think" you have the latest version(s), spend the couple of minutes to verify. I thought I was current...only to find out I wasn't.

2. Reboot all devices, i.e. phone/tablet/streamer

3. It takes a few seconds after initial install/reboot for all the parameters to filter through, be patient.

Just got firmware 3.3 update for my innuos zen mk 3.  Qobuz Connect works fine now.  Nice :-)

My Zenith Mk3 here in the UK updated this evening to version 3.3.0, and with it, apparently, is Qobuz Connect.  

It seems that in both my Qobuz Windows desktop app plus my Android app I can see and select my Zenith as the output - as opposed to a specific local speaker/headphone.

Aside from the occasional error when I move tracks it seems to be working.

However, unless I observe a noticeable uptick in sound quality I’ll stick with the Sense app or the Zenith’s web page interface.  They’ve been more than adequate so far for me.  If anything, I'm a little wary of Qobuz Connect.  For example, I've noticed I can now modify the volume of the music via the Qobuz app, which means, I suppose, that direct digital pass-through is not now happening.  I've always understood that the best sound quality happens when digital volume controls are disabled.

So, like others here I’m not quite seeing the point of Qobuz Connect

@drmuso if your streamer has a built-in app that allows the URL of the stream to be passed directly to the streamer and bypass your phone or computer or tablet, then you are set already. You are using the external device as only a remote control in that case. But many of us use streamers that don’t or won’t do this without a "connect app", one like Spotify Connect or Tidal Connect.  

I’ve always heard it said on here that Qobuz (at least for many) sounds better than Tidal. I’m not sure my WiiM Ultra is resolving enough to hear a difference (maybe through headphones), but I’m now more likely to give Qobuz a trial subscription and hear for myself. 

I'll give them a month or so to work out any bugs before starting that trial. 

No luck for me with Qobuz Connect / Innuos Zen Mk3.  Innuos Sense works fine as usual (although I can't connect in LAN mode).  Tried from Windows 11, Android, and ipad pro, all latest versions.  Got me.  

I wonder if anyone has had any luck getting an older Auralic Femto streamer to work with QC?  I’ve heard it works with Auralic, generally, but maybe the Femto is too old.  Anyway, sounds great through LDS.

Good news and bad news.

Need to install the app for PC, which means another app running on music server. 
Using networked Lumin U1, needs updating to Version 19 to accept Qobuz connect. Works, very quick to see Lumin and select.

The sound is not much better than Internet Radio, down soundstage, very short front to back depth. As for resolution, cymbals splash, not sharp at all. Dynamics- like radio, bad radio. Local files to the Lumin with Audirvana are top class. Far better on Android phone and Bluetooth Noise free Headphones (Sony Xperia 1 VI, Sony WXM1000XM5).

Good for background music, provided Qobuz don't force Alternative Indie down my throat EVERY TIME for new albums, My Weekly Q is a prime example, the queue forward button is used very often! You'd think after 18 months they could understand/remember my tastes in music - nah! AND reviews are in French mainly, don't Qobuz take into account the device's language settings, obviously not.

@all

Have the latest version of app and desktop software but still no joy.

Last night Qobuz Connect upgraded to v. 9.0.0.1 on my phone.  I have three WiiM units that are compatible with Connect.  However, when I open the Qobuz app, I find the list of available devices can be very slow to populate, though this seems to be a bit better with the new version. Still need to give it some time to see if the improvement is consistent.

Lumin is on the QC list so I suspect your Qobuz software is an older version. 
 

On Apple IOS, saw the exact same thing. Didn’t see an automated update so thought it wasn’t available. But when I went to the app update page on IOS for Qobuz, it showed an update was available. Performed on both iPad and iPhone fine. Mostly use the desktop 🖥️ version but they all work seamlessly. Sounds great. 
 

Qobuz then logs you out on launch, you log back in and no more limited Airplay options. For IOS, the version is 8.0.0. For Android, I heard it’s 9.0 and there was a staggered global rollout. If for some reason, Qobuz didn’t log you out, I’d try logging out and back in. Last, check with Lumin if nothing works and see what they say. 

Dang I Only get the Lumin to work using icky AirPlay. Have version 9.0 of Qobuz installed.  Device (Lumin) not showing up under selected device. Other streamers not (yet???) supported. Thus I ruminate and use Roon. 

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!

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. 

@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...

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)

@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.

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.

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.

@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.

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. 

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?

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.  

@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 ?  

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…

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 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.

@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.

@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. 

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.

@jimboman 

Qobuz Connect needs 100hrs of break-in 

@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...

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. 
 

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.

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