Doesn’t really instil much confidence for the user (me and you). ![]()
We are usually talking of minor changes. However they can exist. For example ( slightly different context ) I have CD copies of the same new release albums from the UK and USA. They do not sound exactly the same, everything otherwise superficially identical
Record companies are in business to sell records and if the territorial label executive thinks that their market prefers one or other “recipe”, that’s what you get.
I am amused by absolute “ true to the master” enthusiasts as it may not bear close examination if some kind of perfection is expected. We are stuck with the best we can do with commercial recordings in reality
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BTW, it has always been this way back well before digital recording was even thought of.
The problems we are encountering have also served to illuminate an issue I have been going on about for several years. People frequently compare the quality of a streamed song versus their FLAC rip. They then use this to state, as fact, that streaming sounds inferior compared to their FLAC rips.
I frequently reply, on this and other forums, and ask if they are comparing apples to apples and not apples to oranges.
When I encountered a problem streaming my Peter Tosh track on QOBUZ, I streamed the same song on TIDAL. It sounded awful. I then played one of my RIPS of the same song . Likewise it sounded awful. Even though the song was “the same” in each case, Stepping Razor, each file was different and unique. One was high res, one was from an actual album (who knows which version and which mastering), one was from a compilation etc.
Each one sounded completely different yet it was the same song. Despite this many will declare ripped files sound better than streamed ones, and vice versa. I maintain it is just about impossible to make a statement about whether streaming sounds better or worse than one’s own ripped files, unless one can definitively ascertain the track in question is the EXACT same.
As an end user It is impossible to determine this because we do not know which version of the song is being supplied to the streaming service. Frequently they are different - so ultimately the comparison we are trying to make is not one of apples to apples, but rather apples to oranges
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I’ve recently had this issue using Qobuz Connect on random tracks on albums that have previously played fine.
Also I find Qobuz sometimes finds the Bartok ‘automatically’ and other times I have to connect it.
Same here recently for random Qobuz tracks played via Roon.
@nickghough @MJA, if Qobuz is playing random tracks this may be because you have a feature called “Playback” engaged . This is an algorithm that selects tracks after ones you have selected have finished playing. You need to disengage this.
This can be found in your Qobuz account settings in the “music playing” section.
This initially suggests an issue with your network. Do you find similar connection issues using UPnP or other network sources?
Edit: I have just realised that Nick is referring to Qobuz Connect and not Qobuz via Mosaic. Qobuz Connect uses the Qobuz player of course. Unfortunately the speaker choice option offered does not always remember the last selected before it was closed and reverts to the default of the device that the player is installed on.This is an issue that you may wish to raise with them.
Not sure if I should start a new thread, just to see how many people are actually encountering Qobuz playback issues? (Over the past few days including today (27th March)
I have done more tests today:
Kobuz via Mosaic: On some albums a notice in Red pops up, FAILED TO START TRACK However, the track Does actually play.
Kobuz Connect on iPhone 16 over WiFi, Selecting dCS Bartók as the output player:
Playing the album from the first track is impossible, (Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 1-5) it skips and jumps to the second track?? It will not play the first track.
Kobuz Connect on iPhone 16, over WiFi and 5G. selecting the iPhone as output.
Works flawlessly.
Kobuz Connect on iPhone 16, over 5G inside and outside the home:
Works flawlessly.
The issue appears to be, that Qobuz does not like the Bartók as the output player.
Tidal works flawlessly in all the above scenarios.
I chatted to a Qobuz AI Bot a couple of days ago. They told me I could speak to a human being in a day or so. Not heard anything yet.
Broadband rock solid on all other devices. 150 mbps.
Hi David. I have just checked UK Qobuz Connect and received a message in device (speaker) selection that Connect is currently unavailable, try later.
That would explain why you can hear the Floyd on your iPhone but not on Bartok. For the time being use Qobuz in Mosaic.
Not sure if this is a Qobuz bug. I get the same message when playing an album on my Synology with Minimserver. Track plays fine though it’s just the weird message I get. But nowhere is Qobuz involved. I also have a Bartok and use Mosaic.
Which message? your post follows mine which is about a message in the Qobuz player itself saying that Connect is unavailable. Jt looks like they are working on an internal technical fault.
Can you post a screenshot of the message you are getting in UPnP using MinimServer?
Just tried it Pete. It allows me to flip between iPhone and Bartók, so that bit works for me. ![]()
Hiya @SneakyPete…Are you not getting the same issues as me, when using Qobuz via Mosaic?
The message did say try later. Maybe Qobuz Connect is now back online.
The message in red that says “FAILED TO START PLAYBACK”
Will try to nake a screenshot next time it happens.
Have you tried the same tracks with Kobuz Connect, on your phone
iPad?
I rarely use Qobuz with Mosaic. Using Qobuz Connect most of the time. But will try Mosaic too and report here.
As I have been seeing that Qobuz Connect has been having technical issues at their end your one may be a manifestation of this which may extend beyond Connect. . See if you are getting the message later ( tomorrow?).
Will play some music later today and see if I get this message again. If I do I will try the same track on both upnp and Qobuz. Using an Android tablet btw.
Will do Pete ![]()

