Qobuz

[richardfinegold]

I'm not sure if there's a download limit. That could be the reason. I'll check.

fwiw, I had the same problem with HD Tracks. My first couple High Res downloads took about an hour, and then the next set didn't finish over a weekend. mp3s go easy.
One reason I much prefer Physical Media

[Bryn]

When QOBUZ kindly made the Hi Def downloads of Biber's Rosary Sonatas (Rachel Podger) available to me free of charge, I was able to quickly download both the 192/24 and 96/24 options (uncompressed WAVs). Perhaps I was just lucky enough to pick a time when their servers were less busy.

[jayne lee wilson]

Qobuz quick as ever in NW-UK, Mahler and Weinberg 10th Symphonies, weekend wavs waved through...

[Dave2002]

Before I embark on it, how big is the Petrenko Shostakovich symphony set download in lossless formats? Do I have to download it all in one Zip file, as I did with the Haydn Quartets, or is it possible to do things piecemeal? This is particularly relevant on my Macbook Pro, as I'll have to reorganise the file system, though I could download on other machines. Are we generally talking about 1/3 Gbyte per CD for 16 bit lossless formats?

[Cockney Sparrow]

2.56 Gb in FLAC (just think of the gb if it was in HiRes ). If you use the Qobuz downloader you choose where it goes, and mine arrived as a series of tracks/files - per movement.

p.s. I'm lucky to have highs speed Virgin fibre broadband with no usage limit. So it took under, say 20 mins (I think - I went off and left it to get on with the download....)

[Stunsworth]

Are we generally talking about 1/3 Gbyte per CD for 16 bit lossless formats?

In my experience yes. There isn't an exact figure as the amount of compression will depend on what's being compressed, but in general 300-350 meg per CD is about right.

[DublinJimbo]

Qobuz under threat

Qobuz is a wonderful site for music downloads and streaming. I've been using it since 2010 and have found it to be an essential source of high-quality downloads. Its catalogue is extensive, its pricing structure is competitive, its staff are excellent. I was aware for some time (vaguely at best, due to my inadequate French) that Qobuz was in trouble financially, but still it kept on operating and I kept on buying.

Now their home page links to an editorial appealing for support, with a link to a 'Save Qobuz' petition. The gist is that the site is entering into receivership, explained as follows:

As we explained in our blog three days ago, Qobuz was placed in receivership Monday, November 16th. This situation is the outcome of a backup situation in which the company was placed in August 2014, after which it was not possible to present a backup plan itself, that is to say, a recovery of the company, and all of its debts. The new situation of bankruptcy will allow buyers who have already expressed interest, and others who came in recent days, to position itself for the future of the company. Qobuz team is fully mobilized so that tenders that arise respect the identity of your online music service.

It would be desperately sad to see this wonderful resource disappear. While my wallet would no doubt be grateful, I'd be distraught without it. I don't know how effective the online petition might be, but I've signed it and would appeal to others to do so also.

[Beef Oven!]

Qobuz is a wonderful site for music downloads and streaming. I've been using it since 2010 and have found it to be an essential source of high-quality downloads. Its catalogue is extensive, its pricing structure is competitive, its staff are excellent. I was aware for some time (vaguely at best, due to my inadequate French) that Qobuz was in trouble financially, but still it kept on operating and I kept on buying.

Now their home page links to an editorial appealing for support, with a link to a 'Save Qobuz' petition. The gist is that the site is entering into receivership, explained as follows:

As we explained in our blog three days ago, Qobuz was placed in receivership Monday, November 16th. This situation is the outcome of a backup situation in which the company was placed in August 2014, after which it was not possible to present a backup plan itself, that is to say, a recovery of the company, and all of its debts. The new situation of bankruptcy will allow buyers who have already expressed interest, and others who came in recent days, to position itself for the future of the company. Qobuz team is fully mobilized so that tenders that arise respect the identity of your online music service.

It would be desperately sad to see this wonderful resource disappear. While my wallet would no doubt be grateful, I'd be distraught without it. I don't know how effective the online petition might be, but I've signed it and would appeal to others to do so also.

Signed and forwarded onto Facebook.

I only started using Qobuz this year. Just 5 purchase so far, but it is very good and I was expecting to shift more of my purchases to them.

I'm quite upset that they might disappear.

The UI is excellent, the range is impressive and the sound quality is super.

[Lento]

Tried Qobuz recently, but couldn't get on with the customer interface. Didn't seem terribly professional, though the library and sound were obviously good.

[Stunsworth]

I fear they won't be with us after Monday. If so it will be a great shame, I've been a subscriber for a few years and will miss them if they go.

[Stunsworth]

Forgot to add, I signed the petition.

[Pulcinella]

December's Gramophone, just dropped through the letterbox, still claims that it's in association with qobuz.

I wonder when that issue went to print?

PS: There's a full page advert too, saying: Offer the gift of music this christmas [sic]

[french frank]

They're saying there's still "substantial interest in taking over Qobuz in its current form".

[Cockney Sparrow]

The further link (last paragraph of the article) takes one to the Qobuz blog which states that annual subscribers funds are placed into a dedicated escrow account - so if the service ceases funds will be available to re-imburse. So there should not be much of a risk in subscribing. As the Blog says, they appeal for the continued support of their customers - they have given good support to me on downloads and I wish them well....

As I presume the consumer protection for any subscription over £100 applies to any credit card transaction with Qobuz, then that would also be in place. Thinking about it, the payment systems providers (credit card etc) may have insisted on that, if it were not already in place, as a condition of the continued facility to pay for new subscriptions by credit or debit card.

[kea]

I wonder how much is due to labels pulling out? First Hyperion, then Chandos and Oehms Classics earlier this year, now Naxos, BIS and Profil within the last few days (and presumably the rest of the Naxos-distributed labels will follow shortly). Like... if your streaming service keeps losing music, of course people are less likely to subscribe.

I wonder if the labels are intentionally trying to kill it, and if so, why.