Today MQA Audio

According to Simon on another thread the RIAA curve is an example too. So it looks like the term "matched encoding and decoding reconstruction filters" is jargon for what all hifi is about anyway.

Dozey it is - in the digital audio world though matched ADC encoding anti aliasing filter and DAC decoding reconstruction filter are effectively never really precisely achieved.

Also I should point out the term reconstruction filters are usually used in the context of creating a continuous signal from a discrete series of samples - but I used the term to describe equalising the processed audio used to cut vinyl - in this sense the signal  already is a continuous signal but needs to be modified to match its original form.... the RIAA eq

Yawn ... guys .. does MQA  sound better .. yes .. OK.  No?  Then move on to something else ... just enjoy the damn music.

John Willmott posted:

Yawn ... guys .. does MQA  sound better .. yes .. OK.  No?  Then move on to something else ... just enjoy the damn music.

What a strange post. I never understand people whp chip in like this: if you're uninterested or bored why even look at the thread, let alone waste your time posting?

Personally I have no direct interest in what is currently deing implemented, but something new in hifi is of interest to many of us, and clearly this is of particular interest to those currently streaming from Tidal. And it seems to be very much a matter of debate as to both sound quality and whether it sounds better  - which depends on what different people want out of their music replay, presumably to maximise their enjoyment playing music. This discussion will be ongoing for a quite a while as the technology beds in and different decoding solutions appear, maybe one day including from Naim - so if you don't want to learn or contribute it would probably be best to simply ignore it!

Since this is a Thread about MQA, I personally would like to encourage more listening, experimentation, and discovery with this new streaming tech. It's equally frustrating for me to read about how MQA couldn't possibly sound any good due to the clearly misunderstood way the technology works by people that claim they have no vested interest in trying MQA.

Earlier I explained how one can save MQA files to the Desktop App Favorites and play it back with the Naim/Tidal app. So far not one person has reported back on listening to this simple technique.  Give it a try!

I have verified these same "saved" MQA master files report back as 44/24 or 48/24 when played back with a Mobile app to my DAC, 96/24 & 88/24 when played back via the Desktop app. It's obvious the Tidal Desktop performs the "so-called" software unfolding to the higher resolution, and yes these Higher Res files sound clearly better to my ears. While not a large selection so far, I'm busy adding interesting Master albums/songs to my Tidal favorites list. 

I don't have a Naim DAC (besides the MuSo) to compare the Naim/Tidal app 44.1/16 bit streams vs the Tidal Desktop 96/24 streams but I'm positive many of you on this forum have this technology, plus a good set of ears to check it out for yourselves.

It just might be worth your time too ... please report back with your first hand results. 

At CES 2017 I questioned a Sony Suit about MQA and Tidal Streaming, he claimed Sony Records and Spotify are busy developing their own HiRes streaming solution. Napster & Pandora announced their intentions.  The last of the big 3 record company's Universal Records is busy with their own agenda. 

http://www.musicweek.com/digit...ming-services/067043

No doubt HiRes audio will be moving from a trickle to a stream in the very near future, how exciting.  I for one agree with Naim's delay on releasing the new Uniti line to align themselves with the reality of the new HiRes steaming services.  

For now we play with Warner Records MQA HiRes on Tidal. 

Simplified diagram on how MQA decoding works. (Read the comments ... if you must)

http://www.audiostream.com/con...#kTeVLYphqgH7dcyl.97

All week I've been streaming Tidal Master's via the desktop app on my MacBook via Airplay to my MuSo. While I understand Apple Airplay has its limitations, this is the most convenient way for me to audition the new MQA albums. Bottom line ... the MQA streams sound much better than Tidal HiFi streams.

Today I counted 700 albums in the Tidal Master folder. 

Anyone else streaming MQA?

Yes I am doing it using my Desktop/Notebook -> Hugo -> SN2. :-)

Yes, I'm enjoying the Master's option from time to time preferring it over the Tidal Hi-Fi setting. This morning on this side of the pond we have only about 530 MQA albums available...

Tidal Desktop/MBP > M-DAC > Arcam amp' or into Dragonfly > headphones.

I can also play the Masters using Audirvana Plus (A+) Tidal/A+/MBP > M-DAC etc. but for some reason it sounds better (less processing?) direct from the desktop without using A+.

Bill Allen posted:

 

Anyone else streaming MQA?

I was, nice novelty, gone back to regular lossless PCM however...

Simon,was that just with the Hugo,off the desktop app you were streaming?I mentioned last week that I might install it on my laptop,and try it into my Hugo,then to my 272...but I did not bother,I would of needed really long cables,my laptop is in the next room.My plan is to wait until the I-pad version is available,or better yet,a firmware update for the 272...hopefully.

Stevee_S posted:

 

I can also play the Masters using Audirvana Plus (A+) Tidal/A+/MBP > M-DAC etc. but for some reason it sounds better (less processing?) direct from the desktop without using A+.

Hardly surprising as Audirvana doesn't yet decode MQA, though apparently the imminent v3 release will.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Stevee_S posted:

 

I can also play the Masters using Audirvana Plus (A+) Tidal/A+/MBP > M-DAC etc. but for some reason it sounds better (less processing?) direct from the desktop without using A+.

Hardly surprising as Audirvana doesn't yet decode MQA, though apparently the imminent v3 release will.

Yep. I chatted to a guy at Audioquest last week and he said that they will have an (MQA related) update for their latest Dragonfly DACs available to download imminently.

No quarter posted:

Simon,was that just with the Hugo,off the desktop app you were streaming?I mentioned last week that I might install it on my laptop,and try it into my Hugo,then to my 272...but I did not bother,I would of needed really long cables,my laptop is in the next room.My plan is to wait until the I-pad version is available,or better yet,a firmware update for the 272...hopefully.

Hi, yes I have fed the Hugo and Audioquest Dragonfly DACs off the Tidal desktop app - in both cases i have set the app to decode.

S

Something got in my coffee this morning ... so I'm back on my Soapbox.

As I hoped after CES 2017, Universal Records is coming onboard with MQA HiRes audio streaming. That only leaves Sony Records to make their announcement. If Sony can resist the urge to go Beta on us, the entire Music industry can get back on track after that derailment called Napster.

Lord help us if the record industry can finally make some money again and promote musicians other then the 1% 'ers. Imagine radio stations streaming "new music" with HiRes, Record Labels with promoters once again searching for talent.

Normal folk excited about Music again ... Gasp!

Why should MQA make a difference to the masses? They have been able to stream redbook non-lossy compressed for yonks - if they don't do already, why would they go for lossy compressed higher resolution -the chances are they won't know or care what it is.

My expectation is the people who are likely to be interested will fall into three groups, all currently streaming flac/alac already online: One is those wanting to stream the higher definitions but with internet bandwidth unable to cope with higher than standard resolution, but OK  at that rate. The second being those who are led to believe the sound is better, whether that be by marketing hype or as a result of the possibly superficially 'brighter' sound arising on not well resolving replay equipment. And the third will be  those who want to online stream high res but can't find what they want in a non-lossy format, to then suffer the artefacts and become disappointed,  maybe enough for a proportion to give up.