Problem
Bug: Spotify → Qobuz matching selects lower-quality duplicate release instead of available Hi-Res version
Summary
When downloading tracks from a Spotify playlist using Qobuz as the selected source, SpotiFLAC sometimes downloads a 16-bit / 44.1 kHz Qobuz version even when a 24-bit / 96 kHz version is available on Qobuz.
This does not appear to be a general Qobuz Hi-Res download issue, because direct Qobuz links download correctly in 24/96, and other Spotify playlist items can also download from Qobuz in 24/96. The issue seems to be with the automatic Spotify → Qobuz matching/release selection.
Test track
Robin Schulz & J.U.D.G.E. - Show Me Love
Known correct Qobuz track:
https://open.qobuz.com/track/26830808
This track is available on Qobuz in 24-bit / 96 kHz.
Type
Track
Spotify URL
https://open.spotify.com/track/0aHOXu219Z4MqEKwiKsddl?si=fb05152b6aca47a3
Additional Context
What happens
When I paste the direct Qobuz link into SpotiFLAC direct link mode, the track downloads correctly in 24/96.
However, when the same track is fetched from a Spotify playlist, SpotiFLAC chooses Qobuz as the source but downloads the track as 16-bit / 44.1 kHz.
Expected behavior
When a 24/96 Qobuz version is available, and Qobuz is the top downloader (up to 24 bit/192kHz), SpotiFLAC should match/download the highest-quality Qobuz version available.
Expected result:
FLAC
24-bit
96 kHz
Source: Qobuz
Actual behavior
From Spotify playlist mode, the track downloads as:
FLAC
16-bit
44.1 kHz
Source: Qobuz
Direct Qobuz link mode downloads the same known Qobuz track correctly as:
FLAC
24-bit
96 kHz
Source: Qobuz
Control test
To confirm this was not a general Qobuz quality/settings problem, I created a Spotify playlist containing the album Hyperdrama by Justice.
On Qobuz, that album appears to only have a 24/96 version available. When fetched from a Spotify playlist through SpotiFLAC, the entire album downloaded from Qobuz correctly in 24-bit / 96 kHz.
This confirms that:
- Qobuz 24/96 downloads work in SpotiFLAC
- Qobuz 24/96 downloads also work from Spotify playlist mode
- my Qobuz auth/account is not limited to 16/44.1
- the issue is not caused by global quality settings
- the issue is likely specific to matching/release selection for tracks with multiple Qobuz versions
Downloader priority/settings tested
I tested with downloader priority set to:
- Custom Qobuz first
- Other Qobuz downloaders after that
- Custom Tidal after Qobuz
Result:
Show Me Love downloads from Qobuz, but only as 16/44.1
I also tested with:
- Custom Tidal first
- Qobuz downloaders after Tidal
Result:
Most songs then download from Tidal, but Show Me Love still downloads from Qobuz and still only downloads as 16/44.1 (not sure why).
No 16/44.1 fallback option is enabled for any downloader.
Since the direct Qobuz link downloads the correct 24/96 version, but the Spotify playlist version downloads a 16/44.1 Qobuz version, SpotiFLAC may be selecting a different Qobuz release/track during automatic matching.
These are all just observations, I don't code myself so I'm a little helpless but I'm willing to try and provide as much information as I can if needed.
Most of my testing I did with SpotiFLAC next, since it gives me more control over variables. With regular SpotiFLAC I've been able to replicate some of the problems but I'm getting other bugs as well so it's difficult to narrow things down like this.
SpotiFLAC Version
SpotiFLAC next v1.3.0
OS
Windows 11 23H2
Location
Canada
Problem
Bug: Spotify → Qobuz matching selects lower-quality duplicate release instead of available Hi-Res version
Summary
When downloading tracks from a Spotify playlist using Qobuz as the selected source, SpotiFLAC sometimes downloads a 16-bit / 44.1 kHz Qobuz version even when a 24-bit / 96 kHz version is available on Qobuz.
This does not appear to be a general Qobuz Hi-Res download issue, because direct Qobuz links download correctly in 24/96, and other Spotify playlist items can also download from Qobuz in 24/96. The issue seems to be with the automatic Spotify → Qobuz matching/release selection.
Test track
Robin Schulz & J.U.D.G.E. - Show Me Love
Known correct Qobuz track:
This track is available on Qobuz in 24-bit / 96 kHz.
Type
Track
Spotify URL
https://open.spotify.com/track/0aHOXu219Z4MqEKwiKsddl?si=fb05152b6aca47a3
Additional Context
What happens
When I paste the direct Qobuz link into SpotiFLAC direct link mode, the track downloads correctly in 24/96.
However, when the same track is fetched from a Spotify playlist, SpotiFLAC chooses Qobuz as the source but downloads the track as 16-bit / 44.1 kHz.
Expected behavior
When a 24/96 Qobuz version is available, and Qobuz is the top downloader (up to 24 bit/192kHz), SpotiFLAC should match/download the highest-quality Qobuz version available.
Expected result:
Actual behavior
From Spotify playlist mode, the track downloads as:
Direct Qobuz link mode downloads the same known Qobuz track correctly as:
Control test
To confirm this was not a general Qobuz quality/settings problem, I created a Spotify playlist containing the album Hyperdrama by Justice.
On Qobuz, that album appears to only have a 24/96 version available. When fetched from a Spotify playlist through SpotiFLAC, the entire album downloaded from Qobuz correctly in 24-bit / 96 kHz.
This confirms that:
Downloader priority/settings tested
I tested with downloader priority set to:
Result:
Show Me Love downloads from Qobuz, but only as 16/44.1
I also tested with:
Result:
Most songs then download from Tidal, but Show Me Love still downloads from Qobuz and still only downloads as 16/44.1 (not sure why).
No 16/44.1 fallback option is enabled for any downloader.
Since the direct Qobuz link downloads the correct 24/96 version, but the Spotify playlist version downloads a 16/44.1 Qobuz version, SpotiFLAC may be selecting a different Qobuz release/track during automatic matching.
These are all just observations, I don't code myself so I'm a little helpless but I'm willing to try and provide as much information as I can if needed.
Most of my testing I did with SpotiFLAC next, since it gives me more control over variables. With regular SpotiFLAC I've been able to replicate some of the problems but I'm getting other bugs as well so it's difficult to narrow things down like this.
SpotiFLAC Version
SpotiFLAC next v1.3.0
OS
Windows 11 23H2
Location
Canada