Results 1 to 21 of 21
Thread: Spotify vs Qobuz
-
December 17, 2023, 09:13 PM #1
Spotify vs Qobuz
So I keep hearing how good Spotify is at curating new music so I wanted to try it for myself. They are offering a free trial and I signed up.
The hype is real - REALLY good at finding me great new music, and past songs I really enjoy. Wanting to try testing it with a less typical genre, I searched for 'Dirty Electro' as in the past Qobuz produced nothing worthwhile. The same search on Spotify had an entire playlist ready to go with some really, really good music.
I do think the app is overly complicated on Spotify vs. Quboz. Plus Spotify ONLY has a dark UI, not a light one, and forces music books on my home page with no way yo turn that stuff off. In this regards, Spotify is pretty far behind others (Tidal is also a superior user experience in my opinion).
SQ is not bad, but when comparing the same songs between Spotify and Qobuz there is a pretty noticeable difference. Spotify isn't bad, but certainly not as good as Qobuz.
I think I'm going to keep Spotify to find the music, then find it on Qobuz to listen to.
Anyone else compared them?"We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff
-
December 18, 2023, 01:40 AM #2
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
I've come across many posts (our users and others) that said they used Spotify to discover new music and listen with their other streaming accounts, and personally I'm impressed with Spotify for coming up with music that matches what I listened to.
If one does not really want to pay for it since it will not be used for serious listening, there is also Spotify Free. The Spotify Free account (as opposed to free trial of the paid Premium account), however, is obviously restricted in various ways, but at least with a streamer with authentic (i.e. not open source / reverse engineered) Spotify Connect SDK, you can stream it to your gear even with a Free account. Occasionally I tell users to create a Spotify Free account to verify their internet connectivity when they encounter streaming difficulties.Peter Lie
LUMIN Firmware Lead
-
December 18, 2023, 08:39 AM #3
- Join Date
- Apr 2017
- Location
- Australia
- Posts
- 1,766
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Spotify is the better experience for me. The sound quality of Spotify Premium is quite exceptional on an optimized digital playback system.
Speakers: Magico M3, ACC, S-SUB | Electronics: Esoteric Grandioso stack | Amplification: Halcro |
Analog cables: Crystal Cable | Digital cables: Shunyata Sigma | Rack: YG Acoustics Rack 1.8
| Source: Kaleidescape Premiere (4 x 6TB) | Power: Shunyata Typhon-QR, Everest and Denali
-
December 18, 2023, 08:47 AM #4
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
"We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff
-
December 18, 2023, 09:17 AM #5
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)
-
December 18, 2023, 10:17 PM #6
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, ClearAudio Performance SE, Satisfy Arm & Maestro Wood MM Cartridge
Power: 3 x 20 Amp Lines, Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Shunyata Sigma v2 NR, Block Audio Power Cords, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - Alpha CGS cables
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon Modified) Buffalo GS2016 Switches powered with Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 SCs, 1M & 6M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: PSI Audio AVAA C20, Isoacoustics GAIA I footers Kharmas, GIK/Vicoustics/Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Ultra SS, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
-
December 18, 2023, 10:34 PM #7
- Join Date
- Apr 2017
- Location
- Australia
- Posts
- 1,766
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Don't fall into this sample rate marketing trap. Spotify Premium is 320 kbps. Most of the music I listen to is in Electronic genre. When I find music I like on Spotify or Sound Cloud I try to source it on CD. When I couldn't find one particular album on CD I reached out to the artist and asked why he doesn't publish his music on CD? His answer was, all his remixes start out as 320 kbps sourced from the original artist. There is no point in producing his music at CD sample rates because the original content he starts out with is 320 kbps. And this is entirely consistent with my findings at home. For a lot of content in Electronic genre, streaming from Spotify Premium does not sound significantly different to playing the CD on my Grandioso transport. That is because the content was created at 320 kbps. I would defy almost all but golden ear audiophiles from being able to pick the difference between Spotify Premium and CD in this genre. Both sources sound virtually identical.
Speakers: Magico M3, ACC, S-SUB | Electronics: Esoteric Grandioso stack | Amplification: Halcro |
Analog cables: Crystal Cable | Digital cables: Shunyata Sigma | Rack: YG Acoustics Rack 1.8
| Source: Kaleidescape Premiere (4 x 6TB) | Power: Shunyata Typhon-QR, Everest and Denali
-
December 18, 2023, 10:44 PM #8
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, ClearAudio Performance SE, Satisfy Arm & Maestro Wood MM Cartridge
Power: 3 x 20 Amp Lines, Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Shunyata Sigma v2 NR, Block Audio Power Cords, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - Alpha CGS cables
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon Modified) Buffalo GS2016 Switches powered with Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 SCs, 1M & 6M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: PSI Audio AVAA C20, Isoacoustics GAIA I footers Kharmas, GIK/Vicoustics/Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Ultra SS, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
-
December 18, 2023, 10:51 PM #9
- Join Date
- Apr 2017
- Location
- Australia
- Posts
- 1,766
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
My response explains why Spotify is my preferred source of content. It sounds no different to lossless CD quality. Because much of the content I like was created at 320 kbps.
Speakers: Magico M3, ACC, S-SUB | Electronics: Esoteric Grandioso stack | Amplification: Halcro |
Analog cables: Crystal Cable | Digital cables: Shunyata Sigma | Rack: YG Acoustics Rack 1.8
| Source: Kaleidescape Premiere (4 x 6TB) | Power: Shunyata Typhon-QR, Everest and Denali
-
December 18, 2023, 10:55 PM #10
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Peace.
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, ClearAudio Performance SE, Satisfy Arm & Maestro Wood MM Cartridge
Power: 3 x 20 Amp Lines, Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Shunyata Sigma v2 NR, Block Audio Power Cords, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - Alpha CGS cables
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon Modified) Buffalo GS2016 Switches powered with Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 SCs, 1M & 6M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: PSI Audio AVAA C20, Isoacoustics GAIA I footers Kharmas, GIK/Vicoustics/Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Ultra SS, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
-
December 23, 2023, 10:06 AM #11
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
There's a CLEAR difference between Spotify Premium 320kb and Red Book CD quality. I can easily hear the difference on my system. Of course, Spotify doesn't even compare to Qobuz.
I stream Spotify in the car and at work via Bluetooth on the boom box in the shop.
Naturally, I stream only Qobuz on my home system. And honestly, I have no issues with the way Qobuz curates music for me whenever I let it do so.
Now Tidal on the other hand, I could be listening to Bruce Hornsby or J.S. Bach, then stupid Tidal would start throwing in hip-hop and rap garbage. One of many reasons I dumped Tidal.Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2
-
January 8, 2024, 07:02 AM #12
- Join Date
- Jan 2017
- Location
- Leyden
- Posts
- 596
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
I really like the sound quality of Qobuz. However their search option is BAD. I like the band Om and have been listing to their album Advaitic Songs. So I made this band a favorite. But when I look at the albums by that band I see many many albums except albums by the the band Om. This happens with many more artists. Looking for classical music can be a real pain as well.
Pre amp: Ocatve Phono Module Power amps: Octave MRE130 Turntable: SAC Girati Grande. Tonearm: Dynavector 507mkII Cartridge: Dynavector Ikeda 9TT Streamer: Aurender A10 Power Distributor: Anzus Mains D8 Speakers: Raidho X-3 Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 XLR Interlink: Ansuz A2, [B]XLR Interlink: [B]Phono interlink: Cammino Serie 1.0 - PH 1.0s Power cables: Anzus Mains Ceramic, two Pom, Aluminium, X series Audio Rack: Rack of Silence 4 and 2.
-
January 8, 2024, 08:15 AM #13
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Learned a few things from this thread.
1) I don’t seem to be alone in that neither Roon, nor Qobuz is particularly good at curating new songs following an album, or playlist playing.
2) I swapped from Tidal to Qobuz when it became available in the US due to both the interjection of often explicit rap, and images, into my system, when not asked for.
3) A Spotify account might be the better way to find new music, and replace SeriusXM in my car.
My wife (big on listening to music, not a gear head) has been totally on her own Spotify account for years, playing on her computer, and through the Sonos system in the house. I’ve never messed with her Spotify account, except to debug for her. She did mention that her curation got a lot better when she went through her list of favorites and deselected songs that she no longer liked.
I have a few short playlists in Qobuz, none in Roon, ad don’t typically “favorite” much. Makes me wonder if I put more effort into either, that either Roon, or Qobuz would do a better job at curating songs once mine run out.
Of course my enjoyment of music is pretty diverse, and mood dictates current listening.Amplification : Modwright LS300 - Atma-Sphere "Class D" monoblocks
Digital : MSB Premier DAC+Digital Director, Oppo 203, Sonos Port (W4S mod)
Analog : Technics SL1200G, Boulder 508
Speakers : Daedalus Audio Muse Studio
Headphone : BHSE + Voce
-
January 8, 2024, 09:43 AM #14
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Hello - Qobuz IMO is still far superior to Tidal in curation, but not as good as Spotify.
The Spotify app is pretty horrible for user experience on many levels. Pretty sad a company as large as them can't figure out UI. This seems to be a common complaint with many users."We are all billionaires because of the huge piles sweet dough rolling in from our participation in the ongoing campaign to suck your collective brains through a stirrer-straw." - PTA Editorial Staff
-
January 8, 2024, 10:29 AM #15
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)
-
January 8, 2024, 12:20 PM #16
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
If Qobuz is lacking in suitable playlists or in prompting you to new music (based on your previous listening), you have looked at Spotify Premium that attracts a subscription (unless you put up with ads) and offers poorer sound quality.
Rather than consider Spotify, why not use Roon? This maintains the quality of Qobuz or Tidal, or your own Library, is ad free and offers its "Radio" feature that adds tracks after your chosen tracks have ended. Best of both worlds perhaps?
This Radio feature is the only aspect of Roon that I found truly useful during my one month trial. Apart from that feature, I find that using BluOS with Qobuz or Tidal is just as good as Roon. BluOS offers "similar artists" but this needs positive accessing and then visiting those new artists' pages. Not as helpful as Roon's Radio, but at least it's free.Sources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
-
January 8, 2024, 01:52 PM #17
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Location
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Posts
- 3,072
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
I don't use Roon so no reason to defend them, however, I have friends who do and I thought it did a great job of picking tracks after a song has ended. Either we might have been looking or my friend out of the room when a track ended and Roon had always picked and played a track similar to what just ended. In fact, this feature makes me wish I could use Roon.
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
-
January 8, 2024, 06:08 PM #18
- Join Date
- Dec 2023
- Location
- netherlands
- Posts
- 30
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Sometimes I take some classical music in the car on Qobuz. Always, after the last track it chooses a Beethoven Symphony, within the first 5 tracks. The choice is not bad, but a little bit more creativity would be appreciated.
-
January 12, 2024, 08:08 PM #19
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
As I've before, I dumped Roon almost a year ago and haven't missed it one bit.
Been streaming Qobuz via Auralic's Lightning DS app on the iPad or Linn Kazoo on the laptop. I have never had any complaints about what Qobuz curates for me after the album I was listening to has ended. In fact, for me, it does every bit as good a job as Roon did.
As for the Qobuz search feature, I have never had any problems finding a band or artist I was looking for, along with whatever albums they have, likewise with the band Om.Pass Labs XP-20 | Auralic Altair G1 | Odyssey Audio Stratos Monoblocks | JVC XL-Z411 | Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2 | Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2
-
January 14, 2024, 12:13 PM #20
- Join Date
- May 2017
- Location
- Hudson Valley, NY
- Posts
- 154
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
Has anyone tried JPlay IOS? It is a control app developed by Marcin, founder of JCAT.
Having purchased a new DAC last fall (Briscasti M1 Series II) with its NetCard there is the option of using the M1 as an endpoint via Ethernet.
Getting into the Ethernet thing is has been an issue in itself but the challenge of running cable through the walls and learning about ethernet protocols and terminating cable has been part of the fun.
Anyway, using a Bryston BDP3 set to DLNA/server mode and attaching it and the M1 to my router via Ethernet, JPlay IOS grabs ripped albums (BDP3) and Qobuz favorites in one neat interface. Each can be view seperately as well.
After a selected album plays, JPlay then chooses another track from ripped albums, Qobuz favorites or from Qobuz at large in a similar genre. It too grabs information about the artist and album/track.
It actually seems to be getting better at finding stuff on Qobuz the more it is used(?).
As a relatively new app, there are a few glitches but Marcin is active in forums and updates are issued. JPlay IOS can be used in conjunction with a NAS and MinimServer
making a separate music server unnecessary. Perhaps better in my case as the BDP3 with current firmware was not primarily designed to be a server only.
All in all it's running stable and I'm happy with the results so far. Now to see what kind of additional SQ can be squeezed out of this new Ethernet set-up. Lots of ideas have be gleamed from various threads here.
Enjoy the Sounds,
JohnAKA J2Ordan
McIntosh/Legacy/VPI/Bricasti/DIYCabling
-
January 14, 2024, 01:02 PM #21
- Join Date
- Jul 2013
- Location
- Orlando, FL
- Posts
- 250
Re: Spotify vs Qobuz
JPLAY sounds incredible in my system. The difference between using Mconnect and JPLAY as the controller is obvious.
The one problem in my system is that JPLAY has an issue with the ConversDigital streaming board (also the developer of Mconnect) built into my amp’s streamer and it causes a delay of 8-20 seconds between tracks. I can’t take that so I’ve stopped using it but I will use it in the future if I get another compatible streamer.Christian
south: Mark Levinson No. 52 pre, Bricasti M28 amps, Lumin A1, Oppo BDP-205, Pioneer CT-43, Sony SS-AR1 Speakers, Audioquest PCs, Audioquest speaker cables, Audioquest & Iconoclast interconnects, HB Power Design Powerslave Star Galaxy power distributor
north: Vitus SIA-030, Luxman D-10X, Sony TC-KA3ES, Harbeth 40.2, Siltech cables
AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
In our latest video, The Listening Chair's Kemper Holt reviews Vibration Black Hole (VBH) isolation footers ($199 USD/set of four). Check out the video! Link to video: Review - Vera-Fi Audio's...
New Video Review: Vera-Fi Audio's...