Qobuz Prepares for 2019 US Launch, Announces Pricing Plan

[The Computer Audiophile]

Press Release Follows:

 

November 28, 2018

Qobuz Prepares for US Launch, Announces Pricing Plan

Qobuz, the world’s first and only certified Hi-Res streaming and download service, has spent the fall laying the groundwork for its early 2019 US launch. Providing the first opportunity music fans in the United States will have to experience true Hi-Res audio streamed, Qobuz has already secured a multi-million track Hi-Res catalog ahead of launch, and today announces its US pricing plan.

 

A revolutionary development in accessibility of a high quality music library, Qobuz offers the most true Hi-Res music of any streaming service. The 24-bit streaming FLAC files can be played on any equipment and require no special processing. Qobuz allows unlimited importing of music in any quality on all the user’s devices, and, with its up to 24-bit/192k Hi-Res download store, will continue to offer consumers options that flow substantial revenues back to creators.

 

US audiophiles have been eagerly awaiting Qobuz’s arrival stateside since its 2007 founding in France. In eleven European countries, Qobuz is already the streaming and download service of choice for true music connoisseurs looking for the highest possible quality.  This premium reputation is based on both the unparalleled audio quality Qobuz offers, as well as its focus on deep metadata, complete digital booklets, interactive articles and reviews, and exclusive playlists, all available conveniently in-app on every platform. John H Darko of audiophile site Darko Audio said “The big story this year is the arrival of Qobuz to American shores.” Herb Reichert of Stereophile said “When I compare Qobuz' 44.1 sound to [CD quality] … I feel certain I will carry weapons and fight on the front lines to make sure Hi-Res streaming is here to stay.” The LA Times’ classical music critic Mark Swed called it “the greatest record store that has ever existed.”

 

The beta version of Qobuz is currently being tested in the US preceding wide release, and the finalized pricing is below.

 

-       Sublime+: $299.99/year for full Hi-Res streaming and substantial (40-60%) discounts on purchases from the Qobuz Hi-Res (up to 24-bit / 192 khz) download store.

-       Studio: $24.99/month for unlimited Hi-Res (24-bit /up to 192 khz) streaming ($249.99 annually).

-       Hi-Fi: $19.99/month for streaming including 16-bit CD quality streaming ($199.9 annually).

-       Premium: $9.99/month for 320 kbps MP3 quality streaming ($99.99 annually).

 

A US launch date will be announced soon, and here are some of Qobuz’s other preparations:

 

-       It opened its US headquarters in NYC.

-       It publicly presented itself on the 2018 audio show circuit as Official Streaming Platform at most major shows, and sealed partnership with the most prestigious audio companies. In 2019, Qobuz heads to Audio Expo North America (Chicago, April 2019) and the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.

-        It has secured exclusive editorial content and prioritized hard-to-find jazz and classical cuts to round out the diverse catalog.

 

At launch, Qobuz will be available on all Mac/iOS/Android/Windows operating systems. To stay updated on the coming USA launch, please contact Mark Satlof and Hannah Schwartz.

 

About Qobuz
Founded in 2007, Qobuz is a Paris-based commercial online music streaming and downloading service that addresses the needs of curious and discerning music lovers across the globe. Live in eleven European markets and launching in the US in early 2019, Qobuz offers an exceptional range of music genres as well as exclusive editorial content independently curated by a team of experts. Qobuz offers subscription to streaming services with genuine CD quality audio of more than 40-million tracks and over 2 million hi-res tracks up to 24/192 resolution from all genres. For more information: www.qobuz.com.

 

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[pwhinson]

Seriously?  “Early” 2019?  What’s your definition of early...umm, before Dec 30?

[rickca]

Well this is probably the 3rd launch date announcement I've seen.  This sounds more like a date for a date ... in early 2019 Qobuz will announce yet another launch date.

 

I'm sure making this happen is a complex project, but Qobuz isn't saying what obstacles they are encountering.

 

 

[rodrigaj]

@The Computer Audiophile FYI

Your link at the bottom offering more information brings you to this page:

 

AFAIK, that has been the "face" of Qobuz in the USA for years. I have submitted my email address to them at least a dozen times and never received one email. One can only guess what the purpose of that page is.

[Walcascar]

The comments above all reflect how I feel: it seems like they've been announcing this launch for years! I've also submitted my email so that I can receive updates and haven't received a single reply. Not impressed and frustrated with the wait.

[exdmd]

21 hours ago, rickca said:

Well this is probably the 3rd launch date announcement I've seen.  This sounds more like a date for a date ... in early 2019 Qobuz will announce yet another launch date.

 

I'm sure making this happen is a complex project, but Qobuz isn't saying what obstacles they are encountering.

 

 

 

There is a problem with playback SQ using the Quobuz desktop app on Windows 10 for one. After working for a while playback often becomes distorted requiring me to restart the app. No problems streaming Quobuz through Audirvana+.

[AudioDoctor]

21 minutes ago, exdmd said:

No problems streaming Quobuz through Audirvana+.

 

I use A+ on a Mac, and I find that is also the best way to listen to it, incredible sound quality, especially with the direct mode hack enabled.

 

I pointed this out someplace else, but I think it should go here, the $25/Monthly service costs $300 a year, or exactly as much as the most expensive option, but you wont get the discounts on downloads that will more than make up for the extra $50 if you were to pay annually for the middle tier.

[exdmd]

11 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

I use A+ on a Mac, and I find that is also the best way to listen to it, incredible sound quality, especially with the direct mode hack enabled.

 

I pointed this out someplace else, but I think it should go here, the $25/Monthly service costs $300 a year, or exactly as much as the most expensive option, but you wont get the discounts on downloads that will more than make up for the extra $50 if you were to pay annually for the middle tier.

 

Can you elaborate on the direct mode hack please if applicable to A+ on Windows 10? Thanks

[bobbmd]

@The Computer Audiophile Chris I asked this question of David Craff but will also ask you-what is advantage of the HiRes Studio vs CD quality (which I have had since 2013 or earlier) if when I play through A+3 I get 96 or 176.4 through my meridian explorer 2 DAC for Qobuz anyway? Will I notice a substantial  improvement in SQ ie the 'subjective' improvement I hear when i listen to MQA Tidal albums via A+3 or is it all 'subjective' to the individual?

I just listen to streaming music and do not purchase/download albums so what I hear now is excellent either through my headphones(Sennheiser rs 195s and 598s) or my 7 channel/ 2 channel speaker system. I already pay 23+$ in euros for CD subscription now and it won't make much difference to pay 24$ for the Studio if the sound is going to be 'better'.

thanks bobbmd

[AudioDoctor]

7 hours ago, exdmd said:

 

Can you elaborate on the direct mode hack please if applicable to A+ on Windows 10? Thanks

 

It is not at all applicable to Windows, it is a hack of the Mac OS operating system that A+ can take advantage of.

[AudioDoctor]

My Qobuz app just updated a bit ago, on Mac OS High Sierra 10.13.6

[Doak]

I’m just hoping it comes true, and the sooner the better. 

[steveoat]

On 11/29/2018 at 10:44 AM, rodrigaj said:

@The Computer Audiophile FYI

Your link at the bottom offering more information brings you to this page:

 

AFAIK, that has been the "face" of Qobuz in the USA for years. I have submitted my email address to them at least a dozen times and never received one email. One can only guess what the purpose of that page is.

Unfortunately very true.  I've stopped looking and hope it will eventually launch

[TAV]

3 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

It is not at all applicable to Windows, it is a hack of the Mac OS operating system that A+ can take advantage of.

 

And what exactly is the hack on OsX? 

[AudioDoctor]

2 hours ago, TAV said:

 

And what exactly is the hack on OsX? 

 

It is a replacement of a kext file with an older version that still enabled Direct Mode, from before Apple killed it.

[Sal1950]

I was hoping the pricing would have been a little lower to put a notch in Tital's US market. Maybe if Spotify ever gets on board the competition may drive prices down some.

[R1200CL]

Wonder if Roon would support Qobuz....

[R1200CL]

I had a closer look ? 

 

You can’t streem everything that is available in hires. Some albums can only be bought. 

 

There is to my understanding no way to only select only hires and search. 

 

How many albums or artists is actually available ?

[TAV]

11 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

It is a replacement of a kext file with an older version that still enabled Direct Mode, from before Apple killed it.

Interesting,  thanks.  

[left channel]

Nice to see a Qobuz ad on my AXPONA ticket! Further evidence of 2019 launch plans.

 

 

[bobbmd]

@AudioDoctor That 'hack' you mentioned is the reason I have not upgraded from El Capitan. I also almost exclusively use A+3 to listen to Qobuz which takes the FLAC 16/44.1 Stereo up to 24/176.4 Stereo on my Meridian Explorer 2 DAC and to me 'sounds better' than my desktop Qobuz app(the black one with a record and tone arm). I noticed that app has been upgraded to the new 5.0+ version-the layout looks different and maybe even better but I prefer the layout of the Qobuz page on A+3 with the New Releases, Playlists Most Streamed etc at the top of the page-what do you think?

I assume the version of Qobuz on A+3 is the older version correct? and would you or can you upgrade that? or is it a function of Damien and A+3?

I posted a question to Chris(and to David Craff) just above your Friday 05:38 answer to someone else's question on this page-no one has answered me-do you have any thoughts on my question(s) concerning the different tiers for USA Qobuz and the Sq between HiFi and HiRes-Studio?

I have had Qobuz in the USA with a sort of French address(ie Oneida, NEW FRANCE!) since 2013 or earlier and wander if I should just keep it- the difference in price/month will only be about $5 and all I do is listen to streaming music

appreciate your thoughts

bobbmd

[AudioDoctor]

On 12/1/2018 at 3:10 AM, R1200CL said:

Wonder if Roon would support Qobuz....

 

They (Roon and Qobuz) are reportedly planning on it.

[AudioDoctor]

40 minutes ago, bobbmd said:

@AudioDoctor That 'hack' you mentioned is the reason I have not upgraded from El Capitan. I also almost exclusively use A+3 to listen to Qobuz which takes the FLAC 16/44.1 Stereo up to 24/176.4 Stereo on my Meridian Explorer 2 DAC and to me 'sounds better' than my desktop Qobuz app(the black one with a record and tone arm). I noticed that app has been upgraded to the new 5.0+ version-the layout looks different and maybe even better but I prefer the layout of the Qobuz page on A+3 with the New Releases, Playlists Most Streamed etc at the top of the page-what do you think?

I assume the version of Qobuz on A+3 is the older version correct? and would you or can you upgrade that? or is it a function of Damien and A+3?

I posted a question to Chris(and to David Craff) just above your Friday 05:38 answer to someone else's question on this page-no one has answered me-do you have any thoughts on my question(s) concerning the different tiers for USA Qobuz and the Sq between HiFi and HiRes-Studio?

I have had Qobuz in the USA with a sort of French address(ie Oneida, NEW FRANCE!) since 2013 or earlier and wander if I should just keep it- the difference in price/month will only be about $5 and all I do is listen to streaming music

appreciate your thoughts

bobbmd

 

 

bobbmd, I exclusively use A+ to listen to Qobuz when at my computer and my Aurender when at my main system. I agree that the standalone app does not sound as good. I find it better and easier for searching their catalog though, as well as seeing immediately what is and isn't hi-res.

 

I can't imagine why the sound quality would be different, I am sure they are the exact same files on all tiers except the mp3 tier.

[left channel]

1 hour ago, bobbmd said:

@AudioDoctor That 'hack' you mentioned is the reason I have not upgraded from El Capitan. I also almost exclusively use A+3 to listen to Qobuz which takes the FLAC 16/44.1 Stereo up to 24/176.4 Stereo on my Meridian Explorer 2 DAC and to me 'sounds better' than my desktop Qobuz app(the black one with a record and tone arm). I noticed that app has been upgraded to the new 5.0+ version-the layout looks different and maybe even better but I prefer the layout of the Qobuz page on A+3 with the New Releases, Playlists Most Streamed etc at the top of the page-what do you think?

I assume the version of Qobuz on A+3 is the older version correct? and would you or can you upgrade that? or is it a function of Damien and A+3?

I posted a question to Chris(and to David Craff) just above your Friday 05:38 answer to someone else's question on this page-no one has answered me-do you have any thoughts on my question(s) concerning the different tiers for USA Qobuz and the Sq between HiFi and HiRes-Studio?

I have had Qobuz in the USA with a sort of French address(ie Oneida, NEW FRANCE!) since 2013 or earlier and wander if I should just keep it- the difference in price/month will only be about $5 and all I do is listen to streaming music

appreciate your thoughts

bobbmd

 

The developer of Audirvana and a few others have spent years developing ways to force Macs to sound better.  I'm told you do get what you pay for using Qobuz through A+. On other operating systems this may be less of an issue.  As for layout, that's the developer's choice of what to do with the categories/organization Qobuz provides in their API or whatever.

 

Re HiFi vs. Studio, the question is difficult to answer because it relates to whether one can even hear the difference between CD-quality and Hi-Res, and how one perceives that difference. A recent study says not everyone can hear it, and of those who can some can only describe the difference emotionally. You say upsampling within A+ sounds better to you, and I suspect I expect you'll enjoy true Hi-Res streaming even more, but as that study shows everyone's ears are different.

[bobbmd]

@left channel @AudioDoctor Thank you both for your responses they reconfirmed what I thought-thanks again and David Craff simply suggested trying the HiRes Studio for a month to see if i like it 'better'  when USA Qobuz comes here.