MQA Discussion

Randy Myers said:
From reading up on the Explorer2 it does not sound like it is nearly as good for other formats as the DACs that people probably already own. It also sounds like it is fairly minimal as MQA. Therefore the potential of experiencing MQA at the level as is described in The Absolute Sound article would require equipment of higher level. Otherwise you would be getting a cut back MQA which I doubt would be as good as a well done DSD. Therefore, getting many other companies on board, hopefully with hardware and software solutions will be critical to truly make MQA reach it's potential.
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It all depends on how far down the rabbit hole one wants to go chasing MQA. I'll wait to see how streaming sounds and if Lumin has an update to their Streamer. I think I'll just have to wait and see what the major record labels do before I make any decision and if the music is related to my likes,, but I'm for sure not making a decision based on a reviewer or an editor pushing $ 1 -22k plus dacs just to listen to MQA I want to hear it myself on my system or someones system I trust. But in the long haul, I'd rather purchase a new cartridge and enjoy all of my vinyl at least I own it.
 
Exactly... not at all interested in streaming. I prefer to own my music and use it on my various machines... I buy my CDs, SACDs, and Download files....
 
LenWhite said:
I have to disagree with your statement above. I think many audiophiles will feel compelled to rebuy music they already have for the same reason they did with DSD and PCM discs and digital downloads; for the improved SQ. It's very likely many audiophiles have several copies of Miles Davis: Kind of Blue for instance.

I also think the intention of MQA is to replace the other hirez DSD and PCM formats we now have; not augment them.
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Those who feel compelled to repurchase a "significant" slice of their library because a new format comes out aren't audiophiles, they just want to collect music. Then what do I know, Kind of Blue is so boring I can't get thru one full listen.
 
Hi Mike,

After reading RH's glowing review of the Meridian 808v6 in the latest TAS issue, I had to listen to it in my system. So I trundled down to a friendly local dealer and brought one home for a few days' audition.

Going direct to Bryston 28B SST2 monos and thence to VA The Music speakers, the sound of the 808v6 is staggeringly and spectacularly awesome!!! All your redbook CD's will sound like hi-res. Amazing but true.

If you can get one into your SOTA showroom system asap, you would know what I mean.

Regards.
Jon.
 
j2020 said:
Mike said:
Uh oh....


Mike,

Navigated to your Suncoast Audio website and just realised that you are not carrying the Meridian line.
Yeah, big uh-oh....

J. :(
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Here's the poop: I met with them, and they insisted I buy their $80k speakers first. Have you heard those speakers? I'll bite my tongue and just say, not my cup of tea.
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Have heard the 808v6 with their speakers in the showroom and the sound was nowhere near what I get at home with mine.
And I always thought one has to go with an all-Meridian set-up for optimal performance.
Still, you could beg or borrow from one of your audio colleagues in the business....
The 808v6 simply begs to be listened to in your sota system.
Listen and believe!
 
Downloaded MQA files from the 2L website and the verdict is in.
All the MQA files are breathtakingly superior to the non-MQA versions.
One MQA 96/24 file sounds better than the 192/24 non-MQA version.
But even without considering hi-res with or without MQA, the 808v6 is brilliant on its own with redbook.
 
I am sending my 808 in to be upgraded to v6 when I head to Europe in a couple of weeks. It should be ready when we get back. Since I am jumping from v3 the upgrade includes new analog and digital cards, upgrading to the ID41 card and adding a linear power supply.
 
Nice upgrade Jim.
You are in for a treat! When i had my 808, a few years back i upgraded my v3 to v5 and it was well worth it. Going to v6 from v3 will be a big jump. :)


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still-one said:
I am sending my 808 in to be upgraded to v6 when I head to Europe in a couple of weeks. It should be ready when we get back. Since I am jumping from v3 the upgrade includes new analog and digital cards, upgrading to the ID41 card and adding a linear power supply.
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Good for you! It would be interesting to see whether the 808v6 will be better with or without your wonderful D'Agostino preamp.
Keep us posted. :)
 
j2020 said:
Good for you! It would be interesting to see whether the 808v6 will be better with or without your wonderful D'Agostino preamp.
Keep us posted. :)
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I will be leaving the D'Agostino pre in the loop even though the 808's are pretty decent pre-amps too.
 
tunes said:
Nice upgrade Jim.
You are in for a treat! When i had my 808, a few years back i upgraded my v3 to v5 and it was well worth it. Going to v6 from v3 will be a big jump. :)


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A friend also had his v3 upgraded to v5 awhile back and was very pleased. I had been holding off on the v6 upgrade trying to decide whether I was going to move from Sooloos to another option like dCs or MSB and moving to Roon. After auditioning those and several other alternatives I never walked away thinking I was missing much in comparison with my current set-up. This was especially true once you factor in the price of those products.
 
Wow, that's some serious blasphemy on perhaps one of the best jazz albums ever. I get that it's also popular, but it also defined the mainstream and was nothing short of amazing, velvety goodness.

As for MQA, I've decided to boycott it based on principle. I don't care how good it sounds, there are just too many issues from the rights, proprietary IP, repurchase, etc etc. I'll wait until it either fails or in the future it becomes so mainstream that I don't have a choice but to adopt if it's the only format in existence (which I doubt will ever be the case). I've got better things to do with my hard earned money and my system is great the way it is playing back music as it is today.


still-one said:
Those who feel compelled to repurchase a "significant" slice of their library because a new format comes out aren't audiophiles, they just want to collect music. Then what do I know, Kind of Blue is so boring I can't get thru one full listen.
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Jon, your post is more like an ad for the 808 than anything related to the topic of this thread. If you want to send a not to Mike you should just PM him rather than post off topic and advertise for Meridian.

Did you have anything to say that relates to MQA?

j2020 said:
Hi Mike,

After reading RH's glowing review of the Meridian 808v6 in the latest TAS issue, I had to listen to it in my system. So I trundled down to a friendly local dealer and brought one home for a few days' audition.

Going direct to Bryston 28B SST2 monos and thence to VA The Music speakers, the sound of the 808v6 is staggeringly and spectacularly awesome!!! All your redbook CD's will sound like hi-res. Amazing but true.

If you can get one into your SOTA showroom system asap, you would know what I mean.

Regards.
Jon.
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radioactive said:
Wow, that's some serious blasphemy on perhaps one of the best jazz albums ever. I get that it's also popular, but it also defined the mainstream and was nothing short of amazing, velvety goodness.

As for MQA, I've decided to boycott it based on principle. I don't care how good it sounds, there are just too many issues from the rights, proprietary IP, repurchase, etc etc. I'll wait until it either fails or in the future it becomes so mainstream that I don't have a choice but to adopt if it's the only format in existence (which I doubt will ever be the case). I've got better things to do with my hard earned money and my system is great the way it is playing back music as it is today.
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Well in my book Best Jazz album is about equivalent to Best Rap Album or Best Heavy Metal Album. They're way down on the list.
 
Fair enough, like the saying goes, "there's a pot for every lid" am I right? I'm not very keen on either of those last two genres so I get where you're coming from. That said, wouldn't it be odd if the album that keeps getting remastered, converted, etc. and re-released was NWA's "Straight Outta Compton"? At least a larger community will sit through Miles. Pick your poison ;)


still-one said:
Well in my book Best Jazz album is about equivalent to Best Rap Album or Best Heavy Metal Album. They're way down on the list.
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radioactive said:
As for MQA, I've decided to boycott it based on principle. I don't care how good it sounds, there are just too many issues from the rights, proprietary IP, repurchase, etc etc. I'll wait until it either fails or in the future it becomes so mainstream that I don't have a choice but to adopt if it's the only format in existence (which I doubt will ever be the case). I've got better things to do with my hard earned money and my system is great the way it is playing back music as it is today.
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I'm also planning on avoiding MQA unless there's no choice for new music material. In my case there may be a small chance my EMM Labs DAC will be offered a MQA firmware upgrade. But I doubt it given Ed Meitner's focus on DSD.

Unfortunately I think there is a chance MQA could become the defacto niche standard killing off current physical and digital download products (DSD, PCM).

I seriously doubt it will ever become "mainstream" as the masses, who listen with cell phones and PC's, will never pay for likely more costly MQA files over MP3.
 
LenWhite said:
I seriously doubt it will ever become "mainstream" as the masses will never pay for a more costly music file than MP3.
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The masses are moving away from physical media at an alarming rate. Streamed music from either free or paid subscriptions appears to be "mainstreams" medium of choice.
 
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