Hallo, Since the Qobuz connect update, I’ve hardly been listining to Qobuz through Roon at all. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems to sound a little better through Qobuz connect. What do you guys think? Greetings from the Netherlands.
As long as you have both software solutions configured for bit perfect playback, they should sound exactly the same. Both are simply delivering the same unmodified files to your DAC. Many people will say they hear a difference, but I don’t believe this is possible. I have yet to hear a plausible technical explanation for how they could possibly sound any different at all, unless one of them is not configured for bit perfect playback.
2 Likes
Hi Remco,
I’m playing mostly via Jplay app and recently more via Qobuz connect, both to me sound the same. Reason for also using Jplay is Tidal… Unfortunately Qobuz and Tidal differs from some tracks and albums and sometimes one cannot be found at the other streaming service. Nevertheless there is an audible difference in resolution between the two streaming services; Qobuz is at a somewhat higher level if you ask me.
Grtz, Eric (Almere)
3 Likes
My opinion is there is a noticeable SQ difference between Roon and Qobuz connect. I nowadays only use Roon when I am listening to a local file or Tidal as I find Qobuz Connect to be superior (despite the fact that the UI is cumbersome)
2 Likes
Both Qobuz Connect and Ron go through the renderer. Has anyone checked the difference between the renderer and the streamer? I found no differences. This is great news because it saves quite a bit of money that should be invested in a dedicated streamer, and right now, in my opinion, it’s quite unnecessary. What do you think?
2 Likes
@oferov On that topic I am in the same boat, I was going to buy the Aurender N50 but after experimenting with Cobuz Connect on the renderer I have delayed the purchase, while I would rather have the native app than the connect version the SQ from the renderer is simply too good to justify the N50 at this time
2 Likes
Thank you Mairet, your answer makes sense.
1 Like
Hi, it’s nice to hear from a fellow countryman. I have the Premier and S202 here too. Thanks for your reply. I also prefer listening to Qobuz over TIDAL. Enjoy the music!
1 Like
Thanks for your reply Peter. So I’ve had the same experience. Enjoy the music!
Thanks for your reply oferov. I’m also only using the renderer. Works great.
They sound the same.
2 Likes
I just traded my Cascade for a Sentinel, and have been using the R3 revision of the V2 Renderer. Even with the Cascade, I heard a DEFINITE improvement using Qobuz Connect versus Roon’s Qobuz. Obviously, there are a lot more factors to digital music SOuND than just “bit-perfect.” Roon DOES monkey with the sound through their RAAT, and this is quite evident whenever they force-feed us with another of their interminable updates. They all sound different!
No one ever talks very much about the fact that Roon is no longer primarily a software company. They design, manufacture, and sell HARDWARE–and THAT’s why Marantz bought them. They are absolute control freaks when it comes to their software, and make the process for Roon-Certification very time-consuming for the other hardware brands. By the time certification arrives for one model, they are often coming to market with a new model!
On the subject of music streamers, I have owned Taiko and two Antipodes units. Over extensive periods, I had my Cascade connected to an Oladra first with the MSB ProUSB, and later with the new I2L module. Since I started using the updated Renderer, I have dumped the Oladra. I will never waste $30K-$100K on a quirky music streamer again! And I recommend that everyone put that money into the best MSB DAC that they can afford.
My Sentinel is connected only to my network, via the Renderer, using a Silent Angel router. The sound is ASTOUNDING. I have my 12TB of local files stored on an Asustor NAS (running Minimserver), and have been using JPlay–whose sound beats Roon’s by a mile. Switching between Qobuz Connect and JPlay’s Qobuz I can hear no difference. Both sound excellent–and, again, far-superior to Roon in detail and staging. It is just a question of which interface you wish to use for Qobuz, although they are very similiar.
If you own an MSB DAC, JPlay and the V2 Renderer is the way to go. Unlike Roon, JPlay leaves the MSB DAC ALONE to perform its incredible “magic.”
--John
5 Likes
@johnnoffokahn ok I have to ask Cascade to DAC, give me your first impression (no thoughts and no filter) just what you thought when you started listening.
@Remco_Amsterdam My experaince the SQ on 44.1/16 is on par, but as soon as you move up to the source Qobuz simply beats Roon for all SQ aspects: spatial, depth, decay, attack,
3 Likes
Thanks for sharing @johnnoffokahn and for beta testing the new Sentinel firmware. The industry is not ready for the musical performances we are rolling out across the lineup. Cascade is next up for some big improvements!
5 Likes
I am captivated by the Sentinel’s SOUND. Haven’t watched TV since it arrived!
Also, the Sentinel’s preamp is like night and day to the Select II and the Cascade. The improvement it has made to my vinyl listening is incredible. (I have a CHPrecision P10 phono stage connected to the Sentinel’s XLR inputs.)
2 Likes
All 
Roon’s RAAT does not monkey with the music file. It is a simple and reliable transport. Any features you turn on that modify the music are performed in the Roon Core before being sent over RAAT. Regarding frequent updates, this is a best practice in modern software development. In the old days, companies had long software development cycles that delivered large amounts of changes. Empirically, the modern method of delivering software incrementally produces fewer bugs and gets customer feedback sooner.
2 Likes
Check the YouTube channel tomorrow and more to come at the Vienna show next week!
2 Likes
Thank you so much for that clarification! Who knew? Apparently, not I. 
All best wishes!! —John
-–JJNK’s iPhone
1 Like