Qubuz in the USA is just around the corner.

[Kingrex]

I got my invitation to apply as a Beta tester for Qobuz today. I filled out the form. Hope to be selected. I assume this means we are closer to a real launch.

[Ctsooner]

Too late to sign up. Congrats. Hope they get you in.

[Audiophilehi]

I got my invitation to apply as a Beta tester for Qobuz today. I filled out the form. Hope to be selected. I assume this means we are closer to a real launch.

I did did the same today.

[jdandy]

Yep, filled out the Qobuz beta tester form today and submitted it. We'll see what happens.

[Jack]

Same here.

[steinkrieg]

Same here!

[CPP]

Well signed up for the beta and got a response, Looks like there are too many people of my age group in the beta. LOL,

SO it notes

"Have no fear - we are adding additional beta testers every day, and we should get everyone on board by mid-February. As an early invitee, you have first priority on our waiting list."

[Kingrex]

Same for me. I responded they should reconsider as they have a few issues that bother me.

Does anyone else have issues with hang ups. I have a hard time streaming high rez files. I even have problems saving to my offline library where they play without issue. Some songs just hang up saving.

Files do seem to sound better after going to the offline library. I think. Not 100% sure. I wonder if its un-compressing the FLAC files . I have determined FLAC does not sound as good as WAV on my system.

[Jack]

Has run smooth as silk for me for over a year and a half with no hangups or stoppages unlike the other service.

[Kingrex]

Maybe its my server. It is low power and not designed to upsample. Maybe I am lacking computing power to process the high rez streams.

[CPP]

Well signed up for the beta and got a response, Looks like there are too many people of my age group in the beta. LOL,

SO it notes

"Have no fear - we are adding additional beta testers every day, and we should get everyone on board by mid-February. As an early invitee, you have first priority on our waiting list."

Well lookie here, after being rejected I got accepted. . So I signed up, picked the Studio plan and I have been streaming for 3 hours and doing some comparisons with Tidal via my Lumin,. To early to tell.

[Kingrex]

I should have lied and said I was 20 something. Let us know.

[Kingrex]

Stupid Qobuz. Now I'm really pissed with these guys. It was running so slow and went to 30 second clips on me. As such I uninstalled it and it ate my software. It caused driver conflicts and other problems that shut down AO and Roon Server wont work anymore. Its like they dropped a poison pill bomb in my computer. This is going to cost me probably 10 or more hours to clean up. I'm pretty mad. Thats a lot of days without any audio. Its going to take a week of sorting to figure this out.

[Hounddog]

I swear I am not trying to start a flame war here, but the thing I enjoy most about my tuner and turntable is no software updates. They have their own issues, but it’s nice not to deal with software on those sources.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Kingrex]

My phono pre is at the shop. I won't see it for about 14 weeks. I have nothing to listen too.

On the bright side, i had to reset my computer so everything is wiped. I am going to load JPlay Femto server this time and try something new. I have bitched about Roon long enough. Im officially off the pot.

[Jack]

Never had a problem with software updates on any of the various streamers or music services. It amazes me all the problems people claim to have. But then I keep things simple. One streamer with it's designated software. Only extra parts and pieces were updated LPS's to replace wall warts.

[Kingrex]

I have been on the phone trying to reset my system. I hear there are a lot more complaints than what you hear online. Its possibly its a buggy program at this time.

[Jack]

Full Roon/Qobuz integration will be available tomorrow. If the program were "buggy" as you contend then thousands of people wouldn't be using it successfully and Roon would not have completed the integration. A simple Windows program removal should not have been an issue.

[kzhtoo]

And there’re people who claim PC’s are exactly the same as “dedicated” music servers and streamers.

[CPP]

Full Roon/Qobuz integration will be available tomorrow. If the program were "buggy" as you contend then thousands of people wouldn't be using it successfully and Roon would not have completed the integration. A simple Windows program removal should not have been an issue.

Agree

Also, Roon 1.6 that includes Qobuz is released https://community.roonlabs.com/t/roo...now-live/58657

[shadowlight]

I swear I am not trying to start a flame war here, but the thing I enjoy most about my tuner and turntable is no software updates. They have their own issues, but it’s nice not to deal with software on those sources.

If I had a lot of records already I would love to try turntable but I am not in a position to go out and buy new music, which usually runs from 20 to 50 bucks per. The other is the clean ritual and getting up every 20 minutes to flip the side, plus my listening habit is that I never listen to a complete album

[shadowlight]

Stupid Qobuz. Now I'm really pissed with these guys. It was running so slow and went to 30 second clips on me. As such I uninstalled it and it ate my software. It caused driver conflicts and other problems that shut down AO and Roon Server wont work anymore. Its like they dropped a poison pill bomb in my computer. This is going to cost me probably 10 or more hours to clean up. I'm pretty mad. Thats a lot of days without any audio. Its going to take a week of sorting to figure this out.

Sorry, to hear about all the problems that you are having.

[Kingrex]

So I'm one of a few. It does not mean what is happening is not real and costing customers a lot of time and money.
I had to reset the entire computer. It took down roon and my internet. Neither work. This is actually the second time something like this happened. When I was running server 2016 i tried qobuz and was getting the 30 second clips. In that situation, when I turned qobuz off, it had taken over my output device and would not release it unless I restarted the computer. I uninstalled it with no problems.

This really does suck. It looks to HQ and AO like I have a new machine and I have to fight to get license. If i wanted i could go the every other manufacture route and have the Linux OS put on my machine. Mojo hates windows because of the support hastles. Just everything I read says linux is more clear and thin. Windows is more thick. Maybe I like thick and rich. That's my personal preference. There is nothing wrong with my hardware. Its arguably a lot better than what most people are using. I personally opted to have the OS installed the manufacturer discouraged. The beauty of my machine is I have choices. Other don't. This time I'm going to try another control program. Why not. If its not better I can always change it.

[Kingrex]

Ok, I just got off the phone with Mojo Audio. He said put Linux on my machine. He has had a dozen or so people like myself who end up with windows troubles, have Linux loaded and are floored at how much better is sounds. So, I'm going to Linux. In addition he has a much better lighter version that sounds significantly better ready for distribution in a month or so.

That also means I am forced to keep Roon. Roon was made for Linux. It works extremely well with Linux and his new software will only accept Roon. It is going to be a locked system like all the other manufacturer do.

Also, he is modifying his DAC so that is will accept a Roon rendering card such as MSB and other do. Those guys are on a tear.

[shadowlight]

So I'm one of a few. It does not mean what is happening is not real and costing customers a lot of time and money.
I had to reset the entire computer. It took down roon and my internet. Neither work. This is actually the second time something like this happened. When I was running server 2016 i tried qobuz and was getting the 30 second clips. In that situation, when I turned qobuz off, it had taken over my output device and would not release it unless I restarted the computer. I uninstalled it with no problems.

This really does suck. It looks to HQ and AO like I have a new machine and I have to fight to get license. If i wanted i could go the every other manufacture route and have the Linux OS put on my machine. Mojo hates windows because of the support hastles. Just everything I read says linux is more clear and thin. Windows is more thick. Maybe I like thick and rich. That's my personal preference. There is nothing wrong with my hardware. Its arguably a lot better than what most people are using. I personally opted to have the OS installed the manufacturer discouraged. The beauty of my machine is I have choices. Other don't. This time I'm going to try another control program. Why not. If its not better I can always change it.

I am kind of surprised that HQP is treating it as a new system. Can you not restore the license file?

I am in the same boat as you about system flexibility choices. I like options . Something that I do different is that I do not use AO or any of the commercial optimization options, since I do not know how everything is going to interact if I change something. I have optimized stuff on my own (maybe not as well as commercial options) but I know all the changes that I made are documented, so it is easy for me to roll back the changes.

[nicoff]

Never had a problem with software updates on any of the various streamers or music services. It amazes me all the problems people claim to have

No problems here either.

I experienced problems in the very early days of streaming (using squeezeboxes but that was more than 10 years ago). But today, the technology is more mature and Roon is really solid. Updates happen with just one click. In fact I just upgraded to the newest Roon that comes with Qobuz integration. Lifetime Roon purchase has turned out into one of the best audio investments I have made.

[Kingrex]

HQ player is not accepting my key. So far this is just software . I have not written them. I have been searching computer audiophile for answers. I think I have an answer. Need to get in front of the machine and try.

AO has not responded to my request for a new code since the ID changed. It has only been since yesterday that I requested it.

Once linux is on my machine I will not need AO any more.

I will probably just put Roon back on for the next 30 days as I own it. It will be my only choice once the locked Linux is on the unit. Mojo even told me, if I unlocked it and put spotify, primephonic, or other software on it, i would probably have output driver conflicts so don't try.

[Mike]

Ok, I just got off the phone with Mojo Audio. He said put Linux on my machine. He has had a dozen or so people like myself who end up with windows troubles, have Linux loaded and are floored at how much better is sounds. So, I'm going to Linux. In addition he has a much better lighter version that sounds significantly better ready for distribution in a month or so.

That also means I am forced to keep Roon. Roon was made for Linux. It works extremely well with Linux and his new software will only accept Roon. It is going to be a locked system like all the other manufacturer do.

Also, he is modifying his DAC so that is will accept a Roon rendering card such as MSB and other do. Those guys are on a tear.

Time for a Nucleus!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kingrex]

Mojo is a licensed Roon reseller and experimenting with updating the Nucleus power supply. If Ben ends up saying its better than what he produces then I will change. Who knows. The Nuc is made with a good MB.

[Alpinist]

Time for a Nucleus!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Best purchase I ever made. The Roon Nucleus Plus with my MSB DAC and Renderer Module has been bulletproof for me.

Ken

[aKnyght]

Best purchase I ever made. The Roon Nucleus Plus with my MSB DAC and Renderer Module has been bulletproof for me.

Ken

good to hear that the nucleus+ is a good fit with your dac -- high praise indeed.

quick question: what power supply are you using for the nucleus+ ?

[nicoff]

And there’re people who claim PC’s are exactly the same as “dedicated” music servers and streamers.

I am not sure what you mean by "dedicated" music server.

One box plug and play music servers (like MSB and others) have a computer inside. They have been set up to do just one thing: audio. Some will have powerful computers built in that is used to upsample the data. Somebody has spent the time to do research and integrate the hardware and software. These "dedicated" music server are the way to go for a plug and play option. They sound great; they are very convenient; but of course they can cost a ton of money.

That does not mean that a person can’t do something similar with an off the shelf PC, specialty software, and a capable DAC. But that requires some technical ability and time to research and put it all together. And yes, it costs less money.

As far as streamers go, there are streamer boxes costing over a grand out there that use a Raspberry Pi computer inside. And of course if one is technically inclined, one can build a streamer that includes a RPi and an audiophile HAT for about $100. I doubt that given that they use the same innards there is much difference if any in the sound. But again, convenience versus time and money.

I have a very powerful off the shelf PC running Roon and HQPlayer plus a DAC that can handle the upsampled 512 DSD coming from HQPlayer. Is it "dedicated"? I think so since I only use it for audio. How does it sound as compared to a plug and play box with a computer inside? That I can't answer. But I can say that it is the best sound that I have ever heard in my system (it sounds better than my analog) and I have zero desire to spend tens of thousands more on a plug and play box to find out.

[nicoff]

Time for a Nucleus!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Listen to Mike! Not only it is a good hassle free option, but if you buy from Mike he will be available to help you set it up to make it simple to operate.

[Alpinist]

good to hear that the nucleus+ is a good fit with your dac -- high praise indeed.

quick question: what power supply are you using for the nucleus+ ?

I’m still using the power supply that came with it. It works and sounds really fine. I may do some experimenting with other options but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. My DHM GigaFoilv4 Ethernet Filter is filtering virtually all noise off the network upstream of the DAC, so I’m not sure if such an upgrade will make a material improvement. I did upgrade the power supply on the Ethernet Filter to IFI and I could hear the improvement because it impacts the last line of defense.

Best,
Ken

[Kingrex]

I don't think qubuz is Beta testing. I just got my invitation to join. I'm sure they will happily listen to comments from people, but I'm starting to think they have implemented a controlled input of new subscribers. By calling it a Beta test, they can accept batches of people and not overwhelm their software. Just a thought.

[CPP]

I don't think qubuz is Beta testing. I just got my invitation to join. I'm sure they will happily listen to comments from people, but I'm starting to think they have implemented a controlled input of new subscribers. By calling it a Beta test, they can accept batches of people and not overwhelm their software. Just a thought.

well you know you do not have to participate. , Just a thought

[Kingrex]

Super clunky signing in. Kept throwing up the we are in Beta test sign the wait list. I had to continually close that box and plow forward.

After in, the architecture has all the Roon issues. If you select Qobuz as you would Tidal, you can not see the resolution of the files in the album titles. You have to open the album as you are going to play it then look in there to see what it is.

It also take all sorts of different tries to get it to give you the album you want. You would think just putting in George Frederick Handel would give you all his works. Its almost backwards. You get maybe 30 album. If you enter Handel and a composition name, you might get 40 results. I just don't get why its so hard to search in Roon, or other music services. For goodness sake, Why doesn't it give you all the composition a person did. If you select a composition it will then give you all the productions of that work. Or shall I say Releases of the work.

I don't know how good it sounds. I just rebuilt my server software. I do not have AO running. I don't want to pay $35 to get my license back after I would say AO probably had more to do with my computer crash than Qobuz. Don't forget to run the service pack to turn AO off before you do any program changes. I'm sure that is what ate my OS. Anyhow, since I am going to a Linux OS in 4 to 6 weeks, why pay Audiophile Optimizer to replace the key I own that no longer works.

[Kingrex]

Qobuz via Roon is pretty much the same as Tidal via Roon. I can see Tidal being not happy. Or more specifically MQA not being happy. If I can have the high resolution version in 24/96 no problem, why do I need MQA. I signed up for Sublime (24/192).

[kzhtoo]

I am not sure what you mean by "dedicated" music server.

One box plug and play music servers (like MSB and others) have a computer inside. They have been set up to do just one thing: audio. Some will have powerful computers built in that is used to upsample the data. Somebody has spent the time to do research and integrate the hardware and software. These "dedicated" music server are the way to go for a plug and play option. They sound great; they are very convenient; but of course they can cost a ton of money.

That does not mean that a person can’t do something similar with an off the shelf PC, specialty software, and a capable DAC. But that requires some technical ability and time to research and put it all together. And yes, it costs less money.

As far as streamers go, there are streamer boxes costing over a grand out there that use a Raspberry Pi computer inside. And of course if one is technically inclined, one can build a streamer that includes a RPi and an audiophile HAT for about $100. I doubt that given that they use the same innards there is much difference if any in the sound. But again, convenience versus time and money.

I have a very powerful off the shelf PC running Roon and HQPlayer plus a DAC that can handle the upsampled 512 DSD coming from HQPlayer. Is it "dedicated"? I think so since I only use it for audio. How does it sound as compared to a plug and play box with a computer inside? That I can't answer. But I can say that it is the best sound that I have ever heard in my system (it sounds better than my analog) and I have zero desire to spend tens of thousands more on a plug and play box to find out.

MSB is a DAC, not one box plug and play.

I don’t know how to respond to someone saying music servers and streamers also have a computer inside as an argument to music server vs. PC topic. On top of that, saying I use my PC dedicated for music, so it’s a dedicated music server. What I’m referring to should be readily apparent (if not I apologize for lack of a better and clearer word). Also, tired of recommending people to try “dedicated” music server (if you know what I’m saying this time) because it’s not only about the convenience, but only to meet with a response like “hey my PC is my dedicated music server”.

[Jack]

Rex

Unless you intend to do Hi Res downloads you get the same thing from the Studio tier.

[Kingrex]

I stand corrected Jack, I have Studio. I do want to collect some of my favorite files, but I want to feel out the service first.

It's not nearly as intuitive as I would like. It takes work to figure out. I just went into Qobuz again through Roon. I asked for Rod Stewart. I forget how it all went down, but it took work to find the albums that were offered by Qobuz. The tidal ones all populate at the top of the screen.

It does sound pretty good. They dynamics are much better with Qobuz through Roon on my setup with 24/96 streaming than I was getting as a stand alone service on this server. More air and effortless presentation. If I had MQA I might feel they are 2 peas in a pod. I only get the first MQA to 24/44.1. Its no the same. I have heard a partial unfold on a Lumin to a PS Audio DAC and the complete unfold is a lot better than the partial.

[Kingrex]

Repeat

[Kingrex]

MSB is a DAC, not one box plug and play.

I don’t know how to respond to someone saying music servers and streamers also have a computer inside as an argument to music server vs. PC topic. On top of that, saying I use my PC dedicated for music, so it’s a dedicated music server. What I’m referring to should be readily apparent (if not I apologize for lack of a better and clearer word). Also, tired of recommending people to try “dedicated” music server (if you know what I’m saying this time) because it’s not only about the convenience, but only to meet with a response like “hey my PC is my dedicated music server”.

Kzhtoo, Im with you on this. I agree with the basics of Nicoff saying all these devices are computers of a sort. I personally define a server as a device that no longer uses a standard computer case. No longer uses a standard computer SMPS. Additionally the case should have internal shielding of MB and drives from each other as well as power supplies. There should also be vibration isolation devices on MB and drives. Software is a critical component.

You could take an HD Plex case and use a external HD Plex power supply along with a couple HD plex voltage regulators and put them to a good MB with (well though out and implemented software) and get very good results. I call this the minimum entry level step into a server. It is reminiscent of both my earlier servers. Those earlier servers were way better than a laptop. The updated version I have now is sonically far superior to my earlier version.

[Jack]

I don't know anything about using Roon but from using the "embedded" version and the desktop app on both I find them both to take work to get used to. For example in Qobuz if you just search Rod Stewart in addition to bringing up track and album titles it should also bring up just a Rod Stewart box along with other boxes with Stewart and different other artists. By clicking on the Rod Stewart alone box it should eliminate any collaboration titles. For both services searching and then saving to favorites is easier on the desktop apps. I do it that way every Friday on both apps though with a UK Qobuz subscription you get new releases on Thursday afternoon due to the time difference.

[CPP]

New update today to fix a gapless problem (gapless will be fix today in the v5.0.2 release.)

[Randy Myers]

I don’t know how to respond....

I don't know how to respond to someone who thinks a pre-built music server is magically different then a custom built computer. As a software engineer and someone who has built and customized computers for 30+ years I can say there is no major difference other than the enclosures, software configuration, and marketing.

I also worked for a while with someone who offers music servers and Roon Nucleus in their lineup of equipment. I have taken them apart, ordered parts, etc. The CPUs, RAM, HDD/SDD, etc., come from the same distribution channels (same parts). It really is a matter of how they are configured hardware, casing, OS, software, etc. And thus, for my purposes I can in fact build a computer that is in fact a dedicated music server. It does nothing but serves my music to my DAC, ala dedicated. Just because it does not have a label on the front that says music server does not mean it cannot be a dedicated music server.

No matter what magic mojo some people try to sell, they are in fact... all computers at their heart.

I would put my digital front end against most anything out there under $20k-$30k or more (yes I don't claim to be able to compete against the MSB, Lampi's, etc.). Our audio club considers my digital front end the standard to which others are compared... not saying it is the best, only saying if you know what you are doing you can do pretty darn good.

[kzhtoo]

I don't know how to respond to someone who thinks a pre-built music server is magically different then a custom built computer. As a software engineer and someone who has built and customized computers for 30+ years I can say there is no major difference other than the enclosures, software configuration, and marketing.

I also worked for a while with someone who offers music servers and Roon Nucleus in their lineup of equipment. I have taken them apart, ordered parts, etc. The CPUs, RAM, HDD/SDD, etc., come from the same distribution channels (same parts). It really is a matter of how they are configured hardware, casing, OS, software, etc. And thus, for my purposes I can in fact build a computer that is in fact a dedicated music server. It does nothing but serves my music to my DAC, ala dedicated. Just because it does not have a label on the front that says music server does not mean it cannot be a dedicated music server.

No matter what magic mojo some people try to sell, they are in fact... all computers at their heart.

I would put my digital front end against most anything out there under $20k-$30k or more (yes I don't claim to be able to compete against the MSB, Lampi's, etc.). Our audio club considers my digital front end the standard to which others are compared... not saying it is the best, only saying if you know what you are doing you can do pretty darn good.

I really do not care what you use. Or if people think your digital “front end” is the standard for “anything out there under $20k-30k or more”.

But if you’re going to start with “I don’t know how to respond”, at least quote me fully.

MSB is a DAC, not one box plug and play.

I don’t know how to respond to someone saying music servers and streamers also have a computer inside as an argument to music server vs. PC topic. On top of that, saying I use my PC dedicated for music, so it’s a dedicated music server. What I’m referring to should be readily apparent (if not I apologize for lack of a better and clearer word). Also, tired of recommending people to try “dedicated” music server (if you know what I’m saying this time) because it’s not only about the convenience, but only to meet with a response like “hey my PC is my dedicated music server”.

[wklie]

I also worked for a while with someone who offers music servers and Roon Nucleus in their lineup of equipment. I have taken them apart, ordered parts, etc. The CPUs, RAM, HDD/SDD, etc., come from the same distribution channels (same parts). It really is a matter of how they are configured hardware, casing, OS, software, etc. And thus, for my purposes I can in fact build a computer that is in fact a dedicated music server.

I don't consider Nucleus to be a dedicated music server in the audiophile hardware sense, but this one is (photo from positive-feedback.com):


If someone can DIY something like this I'd be impressed.

[Mike]

To me, the Nucleus should be used to run Roon Core. Period. I still prefer a NAS for storage duties. RAID 5 or whatever and go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kingrex]

Randy, if your home made server does not have a linear PS feeding it with at least 2 HD plex or better voltage regulators, well, it does not "sound" good. Server upgrades have been far more audible to me than dac upgrades. The Mojo Mystique V3 dac upgrade was actually pretty big, but the server build is very audible.
A store bought plastic case is a big vibration and noise amplifier. A store bought smps is just junk. Sorry Randy.

Now, if your feeding an Ultra Rendu from your server over ethernet, your a lot closer to success with getting good sound. If you dont have an audiophile switch, that gigafoil in another thread wil probably be another very audible improvement.
By the way, if you want an HDplex voltae regulator, i have one to sell. You still need a PS.