MQA Discussion

**Mike** · November 28, 2017, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

I think so too. Ex-Wadia guys, so they do have some serious DAC competence.

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I hope Chord does something similar. Lampi too.

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**Kuoppis** · November 28, 2017, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I hope Chord does something similar. Lampi too.

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Those would be nice. I would add Meitner, Bricasti, Nagra and Ayre to that wish list.

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**Mike** · November 28, 2017, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Those would be nice, I would add Meitner, Bricasti, Nagra and Ayre to that wish list.

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Yes!

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**still-one** · November 28, 2017, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Is there an update to the MQA albums list on Tidal available?

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The last update was on the 24th of November.

**Kuoppis** · November 28, 2017, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by still-one

The last update was on the 24th of November.

Ok, thanks. It’s a great list

.

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**still-one** · November 28, 2017, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Ok, thanks. It’s a great list

.

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I imported the CSV file into Numbers (Apple's "Excel") to make it easier to read.

**Kuoppis** · November 28, 2017, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by still-one

I imported the CSV file into Numbers (Apple's "Excel") to make it easier to read.

I created a couple of playlists with the albums I liked.

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**tino27** · November 29, 2017, 05:36 PM

I have an Oppo UDP-205 and downloaded the latest firmware last night (I didn't want to do the Beta firmware that was released previously -- color me nervous since you couldn't go backwards if you installed the Beta firmware). I already had a few files that were non-MQA (e.g., WAV files) and MQA encoded (e.g., MQA FLAC files) -- Beethoven Piano Sonatas performed by Robert Silverman. I purchased the download of these files specifically so that I could compare the two once I get an MQA capable DAC. After updating the firmware, I compared a few tracks and honestly, I didn't hear enough of a difference that I'm convinced I could pick between the two with any degree of certainty. Now, I will also say that this particular recording (MQA or not) never really struck me as being cream-of-the-crop-audiophile-demonstration-quality to begin with, so I don't know if it was a fair comparison.

I've gone ahead and downloaded a few comparison tracks from 2L's website and will be giving them a listen tonight when I get home.

I also own an MQA-encoded CD, the latest Camille Thurman Inside The Moment released on Chesky, and while the "MQA Studio" label did appear on my TV when playing back the Robert Silverman tracks via USB, the Camille Thurman CD did not display a similar label on my TV monitor during playback.

**nicoff** · November 29, 2017, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by tino27

I have an Oppo UDP-205 and downloaded the latest firmware last night (I didn't want to do the Beta firmware that was released previously -- color me nervous since you couldn't go backwards if you installed the Beta firmware). I already had a few files that were non-MQA (e.g., WAV files) and MQA encoded (e.g., MQA FLAC files) -- Beethoven Piano Sonatas performed by Robert Silverman. I purchased the download of these files specifically so that I could compare the two once I get an MQA capable DAC. After updating the firmware, I compared a few tracks and honestly, I didn't hear enough of a difference that I'm convinced I could pick between the two with any degree of certainty. Now, I will also say that this particular recording (MQA or not) never really struck me as being cream-of-the-crop-audiophile-demonstration-quality to begin with, so I don't know if it was a fair comparison.

I've gone ahead and downloaded a few comparison tracks from 2L's website and will be giving them a listen tonight when I get home.

I also own an MQA-encoded CD, the latest Camille Thurman Inside The Moment released on Chesky, and while the "MQA Studio" label did appear on my TV when playing back the Robert Silverman tracks via USB, the Camille Thurman CD did not display a similar label on my TV monitor during playback.

You mention that you are using a USB connection. So are you using the Oppo 205 as a DAC or as a transport?
I would think that in order to get the Oppo to do a full MQA unfold, you have to listen to the analog output of the 205 not the digital outputs. Just curious.

**tino27** · November 29, 2017, 09:38 PM

Sorry, I forget how configurable the Oppo is. The Oppo has both an asynchronous USB input as well as (several) standard USB type A connectors to attach devices like a flash drive / USB drive. The latter is what I have done. The Oppo is decoding the files from a flash drive and the output is being sent out of the analog XLR outputs to my pre-amp.

**mdp632** · November 29, 2017, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by tino27

Sorry, I forget how configurable the Oppo is. The Oppo has both an asynchronous USB input as well as (several) standard USB type A connectors to attach devices like a flash drive / USB drive. The latter is what I have done. The Oppo is decoding the files from a flash drive and the output is being sent out of the analog XLR outputs to my pre-amp.

That's what I've read also. Additional software updates in the future from Oppo will address MQA support via the USB DAC input on the 205.

**CPP** · November 30, 2017, 08:52 AM

Remember this is just a beta on the 205 from OPPO, and I just read this this morning over on AVS from Bob Pariseau that is in the know with OPPO.
So the beta for the OPPO 205 for MQA so far only provides;

"" MQA support is currently only for Media Files. I.e., the stuff you play via the Music icon on Home Menu.

However, OPPO has now stated they are working on:

1) Support for MQA-CD

2) Support for MQA playback into the Asynchronous DAC Input, and

3) Support for MQA playback into the Optical / Coax Inputs

No time frame has yet been announced. """"

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/149-bl...hread-101.html

Just glad I didn't load the beta.

**tino27** · November 30, 2017, 09:03 AM

Just a follow-up to yesterday's post. So, from the 2L website, I picked the following song to test out on the updated firmware of the Oppo:

Mozart: Violin concerto in D major - Allegro
Marianne Thorsen / TrondheimSolistene

There were versions that pre-dated MQA encoding and also had the MQA encoding. I listened to both versions at various encoding schemes (PCM and DSD64).

I feel I can hear a difference between the non-MQA-encoded version and the MQA-encoded version. It is definitely subtle and the best way I can describe it is as cleaner transients. Not so much from soft to loud, but more like initial attack of the notes being played. Being that this was a violin concerto, it was most evident on the violinist, but other instruments in the orchestra benefited from this, too. The first analogy that popped into my head was comparing it to the edge of a knife. Over repeated use, the cutting edge of a knife rolls over, reducing its cutting efficiency. By using a steel, you re-true the cutting edge. Sounds seemed to slice through the air more cleanly with MQA.

That being said, if MQA is destined for the streaming masses, I don't know that mass-fi equipment (at least current mass-fi equipment) would be resolving enough to be able to tell the difference.

**tino27** · November 30, 2017, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by CPP

Remember this is just a beta on the 205 from OPPO, and I just read this this morning over on AVS from Bob Pariseau that is in the know with OPPO.
So the beta for the OPPO 205 for MQA so far only provides;

"" MQA support is currently only for Media Files. I.e., the stuff you play via the Music icon on Home Menu.

However, OPPO has now stated they are working on:

1) Support for MQA-CD

2) Support for MQA playback into the Asynchronous DAC Input, and

3) Support for MQA playback into the Optical / Coax Inputs

No time frame has yet been announced. """"

Just glad I didn't load the beta.

Interesting, I'm following the same thread over on AVS Forums. From what I gathered, the beta could only be loaded via the USB port. The firmware update I just loaded was done over the Internet. Plus, there was a press release on the TAS website about this latest firmware update and it didn't mention "beta" at all. Of course, I'm certainly willing to concede I might be wrong.

**CPP** · November 30, 2017, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by tino27

Interesting, I'm following the same thread over on AVS Forums. From what I gathered, the beta could only be loaded via the USB port. The firmware update I just loaded was done over the Internet. Plus, there was a press release on the TAS website about this latest firmware update and it didn't mention "beta" at all. Of course, I'm certainly willing to concede I might be wrong.

Incorrect, its can be loaded via USB or if requested a CD with the beta firmware from OPPO. https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-203/UDP203-firmware-54-1108B.aspx

**mdp632** · November 30, 2017, 11:02 AM

The final release MQA firmware for the 205 is officially released. This isn’t a beta as of 11/27

Latest Official Release Version
Release date: November 27, 2017.
Category: Latest Official Release

Main Version: UDP20X-54-1127
Loader Version: TF0035
MCU Version: MCU205-01-1220

**tino27** · November 30, 2017, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by mdp632

The final release MQA firmware for the 205 is officially released. This isn’t a beta as of 11/27

Latest Official Release Version
Release date: November 27, 2017.
Category: Latest Official Release

Main Version: UDP20X-54-1127
Loader Version: TF0035
MCU Version: MCU205-01-1220

This is what I downloaded from the Internet directly to my Oppo and installed on Tuesday night. When the discussion of the beta version being available started floating around the AVS forums, the firmware wasn't available via this specific method (I tried).

**Kuoppis** · November 30, 2017, 03:02 PM

Just reading Robert Harley’s MQA article in the TAS 2018 Headphone Special. According to Harley, in order to get a 192K stream the MQA file has to be unfolded and decoded. But in turn, if a MQA file is played back by a MQA DAC the stream can be anything between 88k - 384k depending on source file.

What I did not know is that the Berkeley Ref 2 is just a renderer, i.e. it requires to be fed with an unfolded MQA file in oder to do full MQA.

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**Mike** · November 30, 2017, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Just reading Robert Harley’s MQA article in the TAS 2018 Headphone Special. According to Harley, in order to get a 192K stream the MQA file has to be unfolded and decoded. But in turn, if a MQA file is played back by a MQA DAC the stream can be anything between 88k - 384k depending on source file.

What I did not know is that the Berkeley Ref 2 is just a renderer, i.e. it requires to be fed with an unfolded MQA file in oder to do full MQA.

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Correct. I'm using the Lumin U1 which decodes into the Berk REF2 MQA which renders.

**Kuoppis** · November 30, 2017, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Correct. I'm using the Lumin U1 which decodes into the Berk REF2 MQA which renders.

Ok, I see. I think any of the Aurenders would be another option.

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**Mike** · November 30, 2017, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Ok, I see. I think any of the Aurenders would be another option.

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Aurender doesn't decode MQA....yet.

**Kuoppis** · November 30, 2017, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Aurender doesn't decode MQA....yet.

That’s right. What I meant was that an Aurender could be used to do the unfolding for the Berkeley

.

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**CPP** · November 30, 2017, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by mdp632

The final release MQA firmware for the 205 is officially released. This isn’t a beta as of 11/27

Latest Official Release Version
Release date: November 27, 2017.
Category: Latest Official Release

Main Version: UDP20X-54-1127
Loader Version: TF0035
MCU Version: MCU205-01-1220

Well that's awesome, I will download tonight.

**Mike** · December 3, 2017, 02:15 PM

Can't remember if this video was posted....

https://youtu.be/drv9ESli5yI

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**Mike** · December 11, 2017, 10:23 PM

https://www.stereophile.com/content/...laims-examined

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mauidan · December 12, 2017, 04:12 PM

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mqa-tested-part-1

**Kuoppis** · December 12, 2017, 04:50 PM

Now I am finally able to do a proper MQA test: Listening with the outstanding Brinkmann Nyquist, with Tidal Hi-Fi streaming in MQA and PCM. I listened via the Nyquist’s headphone output, could maybe have taken it a notch further by getting the Auralic Gemini 2000 headphone amp into play, but then the two DACs might have watered down the comparison results.

First part of the effort was with a pair of Audeze EL-8 Titaniums, which I picked up for office telcos in a Black Friday sale. Difference between MQA and PCM... what difference? There might have been one, but if there was it was minuscule and pretty much too close to call.

Out came my trusty and ruthless detail revelators, which lay out every inkling of detail in the music: Sennheiser HD800s with a Cardas cable.

1) Diana Krall/ Wallflower album, playing “Desperado”. The difference is not huge, but clearly audible. While I did not find too much difference in details, bass/ treble, dynamics etc. the MQA version was a little more laid back. It was not that the MQA version was subdued, but in comparison the PCM treble had some ringing to it, a kind of a digital glare, which was absent from the MQA version. This difference was most evident in the piano sound.

MQA, dix points. A more relaxing listening experience.

2) Bertrand Chamayou/ Debussy, playing Cello Sonata in D Minor, L.135: III, Finale. While both sounded good, with MQA the cello sounds more natural, both versions having detail, depth and MQA adding a naturalness I usually only hear live. Hearing minutiae detail of the bow scraping the strings, but no edginess in it. Very good.

This time I liked MQA quite a bit more. MQA was the clear winner.

3) Project Mama Earth with Joss Stone, listening to “Mama Earth”. Joss Stone’s singing appears to reveal more detail or have less sibilants with MQA. Best part and most significant difference comes at ‘1:00 in the first bass drum fill-in: it sounds drier, more real and more life-like. Like a live drum. Really great. In comparison the same drum in PCM sounds rounder and not as natural.

Thumbs up for MQA.

4) Beck/ Sea Change, playing “Golden Age” and “Paper Tiger”. In the intro of Golden Age the guitar treble in the PCM version has a ringing to it, which is a tad sharp. In comparison the MQA version is is slightly smoother, while not losing out in sparkle. In paper Tiger drum entry I did not hear a similarly striking difference as in “Mama Earth”, but I felt Beck’s voice was a bit more immediate in MQA. In the strings the more differentiated string vibration was there, similar to the Debussy piece.

Oui, oui, MQA.

5) Anouar Brahem/ Blue Maquams, playing “Opening Day”. I felt Brahem’s Oud sounded more differentiated in MQA and when Jack De Johnette enters with the cymbals, I felt the differentiation between the impact of the stick hitting and the cymbal resonation was more clear. I don’t think there was anything missing in PCM, it was more like the stick impact and cymbal details were obstructed by this digital ringing I also heard in other pieces earlier.

Also an audible difference.

So, what’s the verdict? A couple of observations:
- how the test was conducted was that I randomly picked material I know and regarding which I was aware that there are PCM and MQA versions available in Tidal. Then I just played five songs and did each time a comparison trying to hear differences. Focusing on certain passages in both versions
- the difference in sound and details between MQA and PCM were rather small, hearing more details on some tracks could simply be a result of the MQA file being of higher resolution
- while I could hear differences with the Senns + a modded cable in five songs played in a row, this was not so much the case with the Audezes. I also doubt the difference would have been so obvious when playing back via loudspeakers with room resonances etc. kicking in
- part of hearing a difference can surely be attributed to the outstanding Brinkmann Nyquist and its capabilities and a superb headphone section

Would I buy a MQA DAC due to the differences?
- I could very well imagine buying the Nyquist, it is simply outstanding and has a sound to die for - also love the tube front end and the immaculate build quality
- would I buy a MQA DAC for the details I need a headphone session for in order to hear them, with probably one of the most revealing open back headphones ever built? Not so sure
- BUT while the MQA benefits I heard definitely were very nice, having been listening for a couple of days now, the biggest benefit I would attribute to MQA is it being non-fatiguing - like analogue
- I mostly listen to analogue because it is more relaxing, maybe I do an analogue/ MQA or DSD/ MQA comparison one day

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**radioactive** · December 12, 2017, 07:38 PM

Need I say more? Guess who finally released their MQA FPGA Firmware? I guess Christmas came early to Bryan's house this year

- Rossini Time

**Kuoppis** · December 13, 2017, 06:40 AM

Adding to the list of MQA comparisons, now listening via the main system: Contrary to what I assumed yesterday, quite an easy differentiation between MQA and non-MQA tracks through the Magicos.

Random tracks based on an article I read earlier today, very audiophile selection:
- Kiss/ Dynasty, I Was Born For Lovin’ You, MQA version sounds a bit muddled and Ace Frehley’s guitar is a tad too polite - the Gibson Humbuckers, do have some more bite
- Kiss/ Creatures Of The Night, namesake track: again MQA is too polite and the music loses a bit of its dynamics

Changing styles:
- Steely Dan/ Gaucho, Hey Nineteen: MQA much better than the Kiss recordings, details and clarity preserved in the MQA version, but leaving out the digital glare

- Al Jarreau/ My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke, My Old Friend, little difference overall, MQA with a bit better bass definition (higher resolution)

- Madeline Peyroux/ Secular Hymns, Goy You On My Mind, only slight difference through less glare in MQA, could be due to 44.1K vs. 96K, guitar solo more liquid in PCM

Now assuming rock might sound a tad too polite in MQA, trying some:
- Black Sabbath/ Ultimate Collection, Paranoid (2009 remaster, original not available): No remarkable difference, if anything surprisingly MQA more aggressive - difference most likely due to MQA being more hi-res
- ZZ Top/ Tres Hombres, Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, Eliminator/ Gimme All you Loving both a tad polite in MQA, missing some of the pizzaz and aggressive Humbucker growl (sounding a bit like playing with a transistor guitar amp, which those guys hardly would do)
- Van Halen/ namesake album, Runnin’ With The Devil & Eruption, MQA sounding better (less glare) and Eddie’s signature brown sound not suffering from politeness, pretty much the opposite being very nice in 192K - volume just needs to be adjusted as non-MQA is louder
- would be interesting to compare Ozzy’s “Crazy Train”, Mötley’s “Shout At The Devil” or AC DC’s “Shake Your Foundations”, which all feature signature guitar riffs and soli - unfortunately no MQA versions yet (is there a reason for that?)

Another summary on MQA benefits: most value with “audiophile” recordings

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**Mike** · December 13, 2017, 08:31 AM

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mqa-tested-part-1

**Kuoppis** · December 13, 2017, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mqa-tested-part-1

Interesting lecture, but does not tell me whether any of my music does sound good, does it?

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**Mike** · December 13, 2017, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Interesting lecture, but does not tell me whether any of my music does sound good, does it?

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For that we have to just listen. Something the objectivists seem incapable of doing. Trust your ears, not inadequate measuring equipment. I even read one fifth rate, “the world revolves around me” reviewer say he wouldn’t even try MQA until he sees more measurements proving it’s better. But of course, he’s totally against MQA until that time (still never trying it). Absurd.

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**Mike** · December 13, 2017, 08:51 AM

https://www.stereophile.com/content/...-authenticated

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**Mike** · December 13, 2017, 09:15 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ovKhmht2pI

**Mike** · December 13, 2017, 09:15 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41UlWlUlI6E

**rbbert** · December 13, 2017, 09:19 AM

At least JA hints that in the next issue of S’phile he may address some of the more reasonable and important objections to MQA (the non-audio ones).

**Kuoppis** · December 13, 2017, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

For that we have to just listen. Something the objectivists seem incapable of doing. Trust your ears, not inadequate measuring equipment. I even read one fifth rate, “the world revolves around me” reviewer say he wouldn’t even try MQA until he sees more measurements proving it’s better. But of course, he’s totally against MQA until that time (still never trying it). Absurd.

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I agree, it’s not possible to know whether the music actually sounds good without listening to it.

That’s why I am happy I did not take a shortcut and waited until I had a proper DAC available before evaluating MQA.

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**Bobvin** · December 14, 2017, 11:48 AM

OK, MQA noob here. I have watched from the sidelines, but the new update to my dCS Rossini allows the DAC to play the MQA. My question... are all Tidal “masters” MQA? Besides the album residing in the “masters” tab in my ROON/Tidal interface, is there anything else to tell me I am listening to an MQA file? (The rosinni does not have any buttons or lights to indicate, and I haven’t explord deeply to see if there us some other designation.) I am more intersted if the ROON iOS control app shows if the file is MQA?

**still-one** · December 14, 2017, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

OK, MQA noob here. I have watched from the sidelines, but the new update to my dCS Rossini allows the DAC to play the MQA. My question... are all Tidal “masters” MQA? Besides the album residing in the “masters” tab in my ROON/Tidal interface, is there anything else to tell me I am listening to an MQA file? (The rosinni does not have any buttons or lights to indicate, and I haven’t explord deeply to see if there us some other designation.) I am more intersted if the ROON iOS control app shows if the file is MQA?

Did you perform the update to you rRossini?

When playing MQA content on the Rossini a very large box indicating MQA shows in the display window. You can't miss it next to the Filter indicator.

I believe all Tidal Masters are MQA. The Masters section under albums in Tidal only shows a rather random listing of ~450 MQA titles. That appears to be a limitation inn Tidal. According to a list maintained on the MeridianUnplugged site there are close to 10,000 MQA options to choose from.

**still-one** · December 14, 2017, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by still-one

Did you perform the update to you rRossini?

When playing MQA content on the Rossini a very large box indicating MQA shows in the display window. You can't miss it next to the Filter indicator.

I believe all Tidal Masters are MQA. The Masters section under albums in Tidal only shows a rather random listing of ~450 MQA titles. That appears to be a limitation inn Tidal. According to a list maintained on the MeridianUnplugged site there are close to 10,000 MQA options to choose from.

Oh, I forgot.

Please check your Tidal app (not via Roon the actual Tidal app for your computer) that you are set up properly.

Go to Settings.
Go to the Streaming tab.
Make sure you have Masters selected at the top.
Place your curser just to the right of the "Built in Output" line and a gear should appear.
Click that gear and it will take you to a page where you should:
Select "Use Exclusive Mode"
Select "PassThrough MQA"

**Bobvin** · December 14, 2017, 05:16 PM

I'm usually technically savvy, but still confused. I don't know how the Tidal app settings for streaming affect my system, because my computer is not connected in any way to my system. I downloaded the Tidal app to my computer, previously only used the iOS app on my iPad which is how I control my Roon Rock. The Rock has access to the Tidal account.

From my computer, in the Tidal application, I saw your settings page:

and I see several "sound output" options but none related to my rig as the computer isn't connected. Anyway, I set all the outputs as you discribe:

Having done this, still if I play Tidal Master through my Roon Rock, I don't see the MQA designation, it still looks like the PCM version is being played (and upsampled by the ROCK).

Are you somehow playing from Tidal desktop app to your Rossini directly from your computer? Or are you going through Roon?

Thanks for the help.

**still-one** · December 14, 2017, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

I'm usually technically savvy, but still confused. I don't know how the Tidal app settings for streaming affect my system, because my computer is not connected in any way to my system. I downloaded the Tidal app to my computer, previously only used the iOS app on my iPad which is how I control my Roon Rock. The Rock has access to the Tidal account.

From my computer, in the Tidal application, I saw your settings page:

and I see several "sound output" options but none related to my rig as the computer isn't connected. Anyway, I set all the outputs as you discribe:

Having done this, still if I play Tidal Master through my Roon Rock, I don't see the MQA designation, it still looks like the PCM version is being played (and upsampled by the ROCK).

Are you somehow playing from Tidal desktop app to your Rossini directly from your computer? Or are you going through Roon?

Thanks for the help.

Bob
No, I have never used the Tidal app to play any music. I only use the app to update my settings just as you have posted in your screen shots above.

I entered my Tidal login information into Roon (and previously Sooloos) and only access Tidal in this manner.

When you open the Rossini app on your iPad or iPhone do you see that you are now running:
Front Panel Version 1.10
Control Board Version 1.10
Network Board Version 368
App Version 1.4.8

Note. I do see a difference in our output setting but the may not matter.

**still-one** · December 14, 2017, 05:29 PM

I am not sure why we have different Streaming Output options.

Here is my screen shot.

Screen Shot 2017-12-14 at 4.27.58 PM.png

**still-one** · December 14, 2017, 05:44 PM

Bob

You do have all DSP turned off in Roon, otherwise MQA will not pass.

**Bobvin** · December 14, 2017, 06:02 PM

I did have DSP turned on, only for upsampling, no equalization or other. I will check how turning it off affects the MQA and report back.

**radioactive** · December 14, 2017, 06:47 PM

Hi Bob,

Not sure you got John Quick's email with instructions or not, but the important parts are this:

1 - Make sure you power cycle your Rossini from the back. Turn it off for at least 15 seconds then back on.
2 - Play back an MQA file (I use Roon), and select the "M" filter from the front of the Rossini. From that point on it will remember to use that filter for MQA, otherwise it won't play back MQA.

Let me know if you have issues and I'll send you his email if you don't already have it.

Bryan

Originally Posted by Bobvin

OK, MQA noob here. I have watched from the sidelines, but the new update to my dCS Rossini allows the DAC to play the MQA. My question... are all Tidal “masters” MQA? Besides the album residing in the “masters” tab in my ROON/Tidal interface, is there anything else to tell me I am listening to an MQA file? (The rosinni does not have any buttons or lights to indicate, and I haven’t explord deeply to see if there us some other designation.) I am more intersted if the ROON iOS control app shows if the file is MQA?

**radioactive** · December 14, 2017, 06:50 PM

Bob, If you have Roon, you don't need to change anything in the Tidal app -- it has nothing to do with any of this unless you're using the Tidal program on your PC to play back music on your Rossini over USB.

You really should connect your Rossini to your network. Once you do that, you'll just need to add it as a playback source in your Roon DB and there are NO settings for MQA,etc for the Rossini in Roon this way.

**Bobvin** · December 14, 2017, 08:18 PM

I disabled the dsp engine on the Roon ROCK, and now the MQA plays through. Wondering if there is another way as letting the Rock do the upsampling seems to sound a little better for all the files in my library. There has to be a way for upsampling the local files in the ROCK and streaming the MQA.

If you play a Tidal Master and it is not streaming MQA, do you just get the native pcm?

**Kuoppis** · December 14, 2017, 09:40 PM

It is a bit unfortunate it appears so difficult to get MQA going: with the Brinkmann Nyquist it is luckily plug&play. Just hook up the DAC to the Aurender via USB and off you go.

Maybe the best Ben Webster I have so far ever heard.

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**Jack** · December 14, 2017, 10:31 PM

And even easier with the DS with the Bridge II as it's all in one box. Congrats on the Brinkmann looks like a great piece. Has it become a permanent piece of the chain? If so that's a pretty complete set-up you have put together lately.

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