Qobuz

Qobuz is now offering high resolution 24 bit 192 kHz unlimited music streaming content and they will be available in the United States of America by the end of 2014. I already pay for my subscription each month, but I use Private Internet Access virtual private network and I connect to their London, United Kingdom VPN gateway server to get my Qobuz music fix here in the states. I also get FLAC 16 bit 44.1 kHz loss less unlimited music streaming.

I'm super excited! This will help me to listen to my favorite music in FLAC loss less high resolution sound quality for just $30.00 USD per month. I can also choose to purchase my favorite artists, bands, and albums from HD Tracks or MP3s from other online music stores to add to my large private media libraries. I use J River Media Center 19 64 bit.

This has been an excellent year for me so far in 2014.

 

I've considered doing the same. How is their selection?

 

How much data do you use each month ?

 

On my phone? I have unlimited data, though I'd prefer not to have to use my phone.

 

I was asking the OP actually

 

Streaming is limited to CD quality (16/44 lossless). Hi-rez files are currently only available for download purchase.

 

I have an unlimited data plan. My ISP is Verizon FiOS Quantum.

 

I just received this email from Qobuz:

Dear Qobuz Client,

Today, we are both proud and excited to announce the official opening of the Qobuz music download service in your country.

Born in 2009 and open originally in France alone, Qobuz is the online music service that sets the bar for sound quality and editorial content, boasting the largest catalogue of HD downloads in the world.

You won't find MP3 files here! The entire catalogue, including major and independent labels across all musical genres, is available for you in at least True CD Quality (Lossless). Qobuz goes even further to offer you the world's largest catalogue of releases in 24-bit Studio Master quality. This format is superior even to that of a CD, and allows you to listen to your music exactly how it leaves the studio, approved by both the engineer and the artist themselves!

The Qobuz experience is also based in musical expertise: our specialists are actual human beings and will update you every week on what's happening in the music world as well as hand-picking the finest recordings, from both past and present.

Qobuz Client Services is at your disposition for any and all questions, especially during this initial opening period. We are more than happy to receive your comments and opinions in order to improve our unique music service for you everyday.

 

Which country do they think you are in?

Qobuz thinks I'm in France. And all the emails I get from them are in French.

 

When I signed up with Qobuz, I signed being in the United States. I then emailed Qobuz requesting they "upgrade" my account allowing me to download from their site.
I have gotten some emails in French but this email was, obviously, in English. If they do not think I am in the US, then I do not know what country they think I am in.

 

If they're opening for the US that is going to be interesting. HDtracks, PonoMusic, and Qobuz all carrying much the same library from the major labels.

 

Tried it today and it doesn't work. Not available in the U.S.A. I guess the email was a mistake.

 

The email also came with this coupon:


9R3FCEX3
50% discount on your first order!

Valid until 30/09/2014. Limited to 240 £

 

Cool thanks, been a costumer for about a year, wonder if it will still work

 

I received the email too, although I'm in Luxembourg and could already buy downloads on Qobuz before

 

I got the email this morning as well... though since all prices were in pounds, my guess is that they think I'm in the UK.

 

I didn't get this e-mail (yet), but my location is is officially France, so maybe that's why. But I noticed that the website can be set to Germany now, with everything being in German. Not a translation program that makes everything read like Google Translator, but a real German version of the website. Seems like they're expanding, just like HDTracks. Until recently, the only German download site for hi-res in Germany was Highresaudio, which was quite expensive with a limited selection. But they reduced their prices notably lately, probably because of the competition. Altogether a good time for lossless and hi-res downloads. And we don't even have the Pono site yet.

 

Qobuz is supposed to be coming to the United States of America by the end of this year in 2014. That will make things easier for me as I can connect to Private Internet Access Matawan, New Jersey VPN gateway server to get Qobuz. I like it so far, but I prefer Spotify Premium because I prefer lossy audio and video codecs due to their higher efficiencies. I don't know how popular Qobuz is going to be in the US when they arrive here in the states though.

Most of the time, I listen to my large private MP3 music library. I've been purchasing and downloading CDs and MP3s to fill out missing albums by some of my favorite artists, bands, and musicians. The pride of ownership is a motivating factor. Now that I have dBPowerAMP 15 Reference + Perfect Tunes along with J River Media Center 20, I'm good to go.

 

http://www.audiostream.com/content/qobuz-enters-equivalent-chapter-11-protection

Qobuz Enters the Equivalent of Chapter 11 Protection

Out of business possibly in 4 months.

 

So how is that "death of physical media" thing going? Lol.

 

I find their prices kind of on the high side.

 

The record companies are beyond clueless.

They just don't get that nobody wants to pay traditional CD prices for lossless downloads.

By the time they figure this out, which will Probably be never, it will be too late.

 

It's odd. I bought 3 albums from them in January and downloaded their app. Since I never paid for the service I can only play clips, but I can play the albums I bought.

The albums I bought were only available on Qobuz as lossless.

 

I was pretty sure Qobuz's download prices were far more than buying a CD new from Amazon. It should cost less than buying the CD because there is no physical product or packaging.

iTunes should really start selling ALAC files. iPods have an option to sync everything at lower bitrates anyway. Doesn't make sense to me to sell compressed downloads anymore.

For me it's easier to just rip the CD with EAC, and I can create lossy versions myself for free; and what's more is this usually costs less than buying the download.

 

Yes...downloads should be cheaper than physical product.

Yes...it's a lot easier to rip a cd and have a physical back up.

Yes, iTunes should be selling lossless music and not the lossy dreck they have been peddling for over a decade.

Not gonna happen anytime soon.