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Qobuz vs Tidal

First off in the last 3 weeks, I have lost 90% of my vision so if there are mistakes please understand.  I am building my last house and will be moving in in late August.  I have ordered a fantastic two channel system, and I have a separate theater room.   The 2 channel system consists of Canary Audio Grand Reference Two Mono Amps, Canary C1800 Pre-amp, Lumin X1 Dac/Streamer, and an Inakustic 3500P power conditioner and Viking Accoustic Grande Voix horn speakers.  My theater room will include a 5.2.2 set up of Tekton Double impact in wall speakers.   My music source is a Lumin X-1 with a 4tb Synology NAS filled with over 10,000 titles.  In my last system I used Tidal to complement my digital library.  I am looking for either Qobuz or Tidal  for my new system.  I am looking for people who have both or have used both.  Which do you prefer and why?   If you have only used one please don't reply.  I need your help as I can no longer research the way I would like.  All your replies will be voice activated so that is how I am getting your information.  Ease of use will be critical due to my sight restrictions.  Thanks for your help.
willgolf
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ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,158 posts
 
I have both. Quobuz sounds slightly better. You really have to listen, but it's there. That said, two things make Tidal the winner for me.

Tidal catalog is far superior for rock and Americana.

You cannot index your music with Quobuz. Albums are displayed in order of when you saved them. This makes retrieving albums or individual artists cumbersome to say the least.

Oz
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
For those with both, which is better for Blues music for selection and features, if you know? Thx


david_ten
5,480 posts
 
I have both Tidal and Qobuz. I subscribe to both, concurrently. And I enjoy both.

My recommendation: Go with Both, for a full Year.

The services are not much (in terms of cost) when you factor in your current systems spends.

As you approach the one year point, if you feel one service is sufficient for your needs, don't reup the other service. 

For me, having both offers flexibility and opens up the range of recommendations (via Roon Radio, in my case).  As others have already pointed out, the catalogs differ. 

I'm specifying a year versus a few months because a longer time period will help you develop a deeper and wider feel for the pros and cons and issues related to both and which service you connect with more and use more. 

I've experienced more hiccups with Qobuz. As one example, saved albums being unavailable for playback (though they exist in the Qobuz catalog). This usually self corrects. If it doesn't, I've found a workaround. [Note: my usage is via Roon and it may not be an issue if Qobuz is directly streamed]

Usage wise, I'm close to a 50/50 split between the two. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I had both and now down to just Qobuz via Roon.
I Probably could have lived with just Tidal though as for myself the catalog difference for my choice of rock and blues was not a deciding factor.

I do not have a MQA dac so I opted for Qobuz for now and quite happy at $14.99 a month.
A lot of hires titles to choose from.
If the small cost is not an issue I would follow David’s advice and run both concurrently and make your own decision.

Good luck with your new house and systems.
Stay safe.
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