‘Qobuz Connect’ Feature Goes Live on Denon, Marantz, and 50+ More Hi-Fi Brands

Qobuz, the French music streaming and download platform, has announced the launch of the highly-anticipated Qobuz Connect feature, which offers simplified control and seamless continuity between devices. Until now, Qobuz users like myself had to use third-party apps to control Qobuz on various streaming devices. For example, I used the WiiM Home app when listening to Qobuz on a WiiM streamer, the StreamMagic app when listening via a Cambridge Audio product, and the BluOS app when listening via a Bluesound Node. When I did so, these third-party apps weren’t playing the music; they were just telling the piece of Hi-Fi gear what file to fetch from Qobuz’s cloud servers. Then the WiiM, Cambridge, or Bluesound device could play back the music in all its high-res glory. The downside is that I’d have to switch apps when switching devices, and they all have different user interfaces to navigate. If I wanted to use the Qobuz app to listen via these devices, I would have to use the control device (a phone or tablet) to actually play the music and then send the stream over WiFi via a protocol like AirPlay or Chromecast, both of which involve sacrifices to sound quality and/or features (like gapless playback). And if my phone battery died, or I left the house? The music would stop.

Qobuz Connect solves all of these problems. It works just like Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect, allowing the control device to work merely as a remote control for your Hi-Fi gear. From inside the Qobuz app, you select the desired music, and any piece of Hi-Fi gear that supports Qobuz Connect will then grab the audio files from Qobuz’s servers in the cloud and play them directly. This enables users to stream music directly using the Qobuz app, without the need for third-party applications, making it possible to enjoy the full Qobuz experience. The benefits are many. You can seamlessly switch from one playback device to another without juggling between different remote controls or applications. Just select the Hi-Fi device and control everything directly from Qobuz. You can also pick up where you left off, switching from one device to another without losing the thread of the music, whether listening via headphones, speakers, or a home theater system. The streams are not tethered to any particular control device, so you can start a party playlist and then leave the house to pick up drinks without interrupting the tunes.

Qobuz Connect is a feature that has been eagerly awaited by our subscribers. We are proud to offer the most complete Connect solution on the market today, combining high resolution, app synchronization, and remote control. Our priority has been to develop a simple, intuitive interface, to facilitate the experience of all our listeners.

— Axel Destagnol, Chief Product Officer at Qobuz

Although Qobuz Connect has only just gone live, this long-awaited feature has been in the works for some time, and has already been embraced by over 50 audio brands. These include the following:

Aavik, Arcam, Atoll Electronique, Audiolab, Auralic, Aurender, Autonomic Controls, AVM Audio, Axxess, Ayon Audio, B Audio, Burmester, Cary Audio, CH Precision, Convers Digital, Dan D'Agostino, dCS, Dynaudio, ElectroCompaniet, Esoteric, Eversolo, Focal, Gold Note, Hegel, Heos, HiFi Rose, Inklang, Innuos, JBL Premium Audio, Kalista, Libre Wireless Technologies, Lindemann, Lumin, Luxman, Lyngdorf Audio, MBL Akustikgeräte, McIntosh, Metronome, Moon, Nagra, Naim Audio, Octavio, PS Audio, Rotel, Ruark Audio, Shanling, Silent Angel, SOtM, StreamUnlimited, T+A, Teac, Volumio, Wadax, Wattson Audio, and WiiM. The most recent additions are Denon and Marantz, which now support Qobuz Connect via HEOS.

Qobuz Connect Now on Denon and Marantz Products with HEOS

Denon and Marantz just announced that all of their devices with HEOS built-in are now fully compatible with Qobuz Connect, expanding the already robust suite of high-resolution streaming options available on HEOS products. TIDAL, Deezer, and Spotify are already supported. Many HEOS devices have recently become Roon Ready, with more to follow in the coming months, offering audiophiles even greater flexibility and performance. Of course, Qobuz is fully integrated into Roon, but Qobuz Connect does not require additional hardware, nor a costly subscription, which Roon does. More options for users are always good, and Denon and Marantz have been doing admirable work to improve HEOS. By embracing more streaming services and platforms, HEOS is allowing customers to use their preferred control apps without compromising sound quality.

If you own a Denon or Marantz device with HEOS, you can now stream directly from the Qobuz app to your receiver, processor, powered speaker, or soundbar. Just open the Qobuz app, select your playback device, and play your favorite music in lossless quality. You may need to update your Denon or Marantz device’s firmware, and ensure that your Qobuz app is up to date as well. (On my phone, the Qobuz app updated automatically, requiring me to sign back in to my account.) Qobuz Connect is now available on iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS applications. This feature has been developed in collaboration with StreamUnlimited Engineering, technology partner to many premium audio brands. Qobuz Connect integration is live globally across all compatible devices from Denon and Marantz with HEOS.

More information: Qobuz Connect