2. digital
  3. 160572-89202

Hi-res streaming on Qobuz

Although hi-res titles on Qobuz indicate streaming at 96kHz or192kHz, I’m not sure my system is reproducing those levels. Both my Arcam Rplay streamer and Schiit Gungnir multibit manuals indicate they accept up to 192kHz.  But I can’t hear a difference in quality comparing hi-res to non hi-res files.  Even if I do an A B comparison using the exact same titles with Qobuz hi-res and Idagio CD quality  resolution, I hear no difference. There are no indicators to tell what’s happening, so I’m wondering if I’m indeed hearing in high resolution.
Is there any way I can be sure?
rvpiano
grotster
5 posts
 
Could you test with the DAC attached to a different source? A computer attached by USB would at least help you identify the problem component and give you an idea of what behavior to expect as you switch between CD and HiRes quality files. You could even assemble a streamer for about $100 using a Raspberry Pi.
rockrider
181 posts
 
Found this note in the rPlay manual: “Files up to 16-bit/48 kHz are streamed without compression or transcoding. High resolution audio files (24-bit/192kHz), are down-sampled to 16-bit/48kHz for transmission. This allows for the most reliable streaming experience over Wi-Fi to multiple speakers.”  If you are hard wired via ethernet and use a UPnP app like mConnect, maybe it would convert 192khz files. With the PCM5102 DAC chip you should be able to hear the difference. Would be worth a try. Apple AirPlay itself is limited to 44.1 or 48 kHz. 
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,738 posts
 
Thanks everyone for your input.
soix
10,015 posts
 
If the rPlay downsamples hi-res recordings, time for a new streamer IMHO.  Also, if you haven’t already done so, make sure your settings in Qobuz are set to deliver 24/192 or whatever sampling rate you’re looking for.  If you have it set at 16/44 that’s all you’ll get even if the recording is hi-res. 
richtruss
163 posts
 
I have a Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 that appears as a UPNP device on my network, it’s fead via a Network Acoustics ENO Ag. If I stream high res or low res from Qobuz via the MConnect HD app on my iPad it sounds dull and undynamic compared with the same track streamed using Bubble UPNP On an Android device. Buying a cheap Android tablet and Bubble UPNP just as a ‘Streaming Controler’ is a cheap upgrade.
More to discover