Hi-res streaming on Qobuz

I have my suspicions about the genuineness of the Qubuz hi res tracks. I have bought quite a few and they do not sound right compared with those native tracks upsampled by my DCS Vivaldi upsampler/streamer. If all they are doing is selling "processed" upsampled versions (which I suspect they are) I prefer to do it with better equipment as they could do better!!

There's been a great deal of online chatter about this over the years and not just with Qobuz. (HDTracks was lambasted early on for selling upsampled Redbook as high-res.) Qobuz states they only stream (or sell) what the labels provide them and, if memory serves, they analyze what they're given to make sure high-res is indeed high-res. My streaming and purchasing experience with them has been stellar thus far, but then again, I don't play in the DCS levels of audio gear.

if you don’t hear the gungnir Mb Clicking when the resolution changes, it’s not changing. Here’s what you can do. Get a node 2i or any other roon ready streamer, get a Black Cat silverstar BNC cable. It has an adapter so it can be coax on the streamer side (if it doesn’t have BNC) and it will attach BNC to your gungnir. It sounds awesome 😎 

I think it would be helpful to have a streamer that displays resolution.  However, even if it does and you cannot hear the difference perhaps there isn't that much of a detectible difference doing a blind test.  I wish my BlueSound Node 2i had a resolution display.  I do think I hear a difference when playing MQA recordings.  However, maybe that is all in my mind.  Wonder if anyone hears better sound quality when playing MQA recordings?  Maybe remixed recordings sound better using more up to date recording equipment.  MQA is still a mystery.  I think most in this group think MQA is a gimmick ad maybe they are right.

I guess I’ll give the Node 2i a shot.  I can always return it after I’ve compared it to the Arcam.  If it’s equal or better in SQ i’ll keep it because of the hi-res capability.
If not, ill send it back.

The Node 2i is also currently on sale everywhere at $100 off.

J.Chip