MQA unfolding with Roon 1.5 over Sonore UPnP Bridge into NDS

Posted by: simes_pep on 03 May 2018

So today Roon released version 1.5 which included MQA support, for the 1st fold in the Roon Core, at a software processing level.
I have a Sonore based UPnP Bridge, acting as a Roon Endpoint for my NDS. This means I can use Roon to manage my Library and also playback through the NDS, and now have support for MQA.
I have the Sonore UPnP Bridge to output WAV and with DoP (DSD over PCM) so that any Lossless PCM (FLAC/ALAC) or Lossy (MP3, AAC) formats are presented as uncompressed WAV and DSF formats are passed through as DSD64. This is the same as the transcoding settings I have with Asset R6 UPnP server I use.

So with 'Render only' support, given no MQA capable DAC, I can unfold MQA to 24/96 on the Roon Core, and then transport to the UPnP Bridge, which sends through to the NDS as WAV 96kHz files at 4608kb/s.

This is a locally stored ,mqa file in my Library off my NAS playing at unfolded 24/96 (without the MQA unfold in the Roon 1.5 release, it would only be played at 24/48)

This is a local MQA 24/192 file, being unfolded to 24/96, the remaining unfold to 24/192 is only possible with an MQA enabled DAC.

This is a Tidal Master version at 24/96, streaming perfectly

And a Tidal Master version at 24/192, also streaming perfectly

Interesting a MQA 24/44.1 file, is played at 24/88.2 with the MQA support in Roon 1.5

Anyway, MQA support, albiet at the first unfold level, is now possible, as a 'retrofit' option for the 'older' Naim streaming products, and is not just a capability of the Uniti range, or the forthcoming NDX 2, ND5XS 2 or ND555

Let the listening begin, to see how the MQA versions sound against the PCM HiRes versions.

Also in Roon 1.5 is Internet Radio support for FLAC and OGG/FLAC streams, so this should be the Radio Paradise FLAC stream - more investigation required here. But again this can be played into the NDS over the Sonore UPnP Bridge.

Simon.

 

Posted on: 03 May 2018 by David O'Higgins

Hi Simon,

Can you post a couple of pics of what shows up on the NDS   ‘stream info’ display while you are playing these please?

David

Posted on: 03 May 2018 by SimonPeterArnold

Been listening to MQA on my Atom since todays update. Unimpressed. Sounds lifeless, on what I have listened to so far compared to the same album in 44.1. Maybe its the Atom at highe res I dont know as I have seen posts from others saying similar about hires files with the new firmware,

Posted on: 03 May 2018 by simes_pep
David O'Higgins posted:

Hi Simon,

Can you post a couple of pics of what shows up on the NDS   ‘stream info’ display while you are playing these please?

David

Certainly, the 24/44.1

Is played as

Image-1 [002)

and the 24/192

as 

Image-1

Is this what you are looking for?

Thanks, Simon.

Posted on: 04 May 2018 by David O'Higgins

Probably!

Too many other things going on right now, but will come back to it when I can.

Thanks.

Posted on: 04 May 2018 by simes_pep

Sure, drop me a bell if you wish. I have undertaken some advancements with the Sonore UPnP Bridge, proving that it works much better on the SonicorbiterOS version 2.5 or later, with 1.0.14 on the Bridge, plus some Linux Kernel updates. It has now gone from flaky to solid and now enhanced with the Roon 1.5 release with MQA support and Internet radio FLAC streams.

Simon.

Posted on: 04 May 2018 by Sloop John B

Pedant alert : ⚠️ 

one drops a line.

one gives a bell. 

Glad you’re enjoying Roon on your NDS. 

.SJB

Posted on: 05 May 2018 by simes_pep

Still valid in the IM world of FB Messenger, What's App, Skype chat, Slack, Rocket, etc.?

Yes, unfolding MQA right this moment!

Posted on: 05 May 2018 by charlesphoto

I use Roon via SonicOrbiter bridge via my microRendu to my UQ. Works great. 

Not so sure about this MQA thing. Listened to Tidal’s MQA version of Giant Steps, and my local 16/44 version wiped the floor with it. Two different sounding records actually. Generally Tidal sound quality is now within reach of my local files, but not sure what was going on there. Makes me wary of this hype (generally wary of hype of most kinds).