Qobuz Trial -Sample rate switching questions

Discussion in 'Computer Audiophile: Software, Configs, Tools' started by bixby, Apr 26, 2021.

  1. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I am trialing Qobuz on my daily windows desktop which also runs the Peace EQ app under Wasapi.

    When I play songs of varying sample rates I do not see a change in the indicator color on my iFi Zen dac. Windows sound setting is set to 192/24 so all the samples rates below should be coming through at whatever rate they are. And that could very well be.

    With Tidal I did get the color indicator changing when I played 44k vs the MQA garbage. I think playing under Wasapi Exclusive mode last night I did see the indicator change, but then I don't have the Peace EQ. Trying to switch back to regular Wasapi it broke Peace and I had to reinstall part of the app.

    Is the non indication of sample rates anything to worry about? I do not believe Win does any Sample Rate Conversion under Wasapi, at least it does not sound like it, but I may be wrong.

    Any other Qobuz tips?
     
  2. scblock

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    Windows will upsample everything before it hits the DAC if you're not in exclusive mode.
     
  3. bixby

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    Upsample what to what? 192/24 because that is what my setting is at? :eek:

    So does Windows do that for youtube videos, etc? arrgh?
     
  4. scblock

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    If you're not in exclusive mode the Windows mixer will resample everything to match the system setting so that it can mix audio from multiple sources.
     
  5. bixby

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    Well, that sucks for me. Anyone know of an EQ that will interface with Qobuz in exclusive mode?

    And I guess another question is if I change the sample setting in windows to 16/44k and the setting in Qobuz to 16/44k, will qobuz send a straight up 16/44k or does it resample (downsample) somewhere in flight prior to being played locally on my PC.
     
  6. scblock

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    If I understand Windows correctly (which is probably not the case) if Qobuz is sending 16/44 and windows is set to 16/44 there shouldn't be any resampling in the chain, though you're still at the mercy of Windows. This is my approach when I can't use exclusive mode.

    For equalization I would personally use Roon and it's in-built DSP if I needed a digital EQ for Qobuz, but that assumes you have a Roon subscription, which is pricey.
     
  7. Metro

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    Try third-party player software such as JRiver, Audirvana or Roon that have an equalizer option. They will pull the stream directly from the Qobuz server, apply equalization, and then able to output exclusive mode to the DAC.
     
  8. wormcycle

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    That's exactly how it works, I can see the sample rate displayed by RME ADi-2 and it is exactly as the Qobuz source
     
  9. bixby

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    Oh, that is right the WDM driver in JRiver, dang, I forgot about that. That is what I use upstairs in my headphone system with Tidal but forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me.

    EDIT: Tried everything and while I can see it in Qobuz, I cannot select and get the WDM option to work, may have to reread instructions on Jriver site.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2021
  10. mimart7

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    Under Listening Preferences in Settings, there is a drop down menu for Audio Output Device. Make sure that you have Waspi (Exclusive Mode) with your DAC selected.
     
  11. bixby

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    @mimart7

    thanks for the tip, but Peace EQ requires regular wasapi to work. I am just not so sure the slight EQ to the desktops is worth it as straight un EQ'd Waspai Exclusive is cleaner.
     

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