MQA now on Tidal

Please help me understand. From everything I am reading, both in the articles and what you guys are saying here, you are comparing previous or non-MQA versions off Tidal to the new MQA version. Correct?

If this is the case I would assume there would be a big difference. It would be like comparing a standard CD to a 192KHz file. Has anyone compared an original 192KHz download file to the MQA version? This is what I would want to hear. This is the real comparison. Or an album originally recorded in DSD or on tape and then re-mastered from the tape to DSD, 192KHz, etc. Comparing these to a MQA version. This is where if there is a difference then there would probably be a problem.

Again, I assume that there should be a nice difference comparing non-MQA and MQA versions through Tidal, and in this regards I would say a big thumbs up! And again, if I am understanding all you guys are saying and what I continue to read, this seems to confirm what has being said right along, it is a transport system to get a higher resolution PCM file without the typical bandwidth issues that streaming these files would encounter. As I have been saying, this is a good thing, but it does not make MQA God's gift to man kind for sound for those who are not into streaming.

Another question. They say that a desktop Tidal app is needed to take advantage of the MQA improvements. From these statements do I take it that through a front end music player, like Roon does not work for MQA. Do you get get the improvements from MQA in Tidal through Roon?
 
MQA software decoding is coming in one of the Roon 1.3 builds. it might not be initial 1.3 release but should be shortly after. This has been confirmed by Joel on the roon forums.

As it stands right now Roon will pass the MQA stream as is to your DAC. If your DAC is MQA capable it will be decoded, if not it will play back as regular 24/44 or 24/48 pcm, whatever the original stream is from Tidal.
 
I'm pretty certain the initial release of Roon 1.3 will at least make figuring out if an album is MQA or not quite simple. I've read that between the lines in various posts on the roon forums. Right now there is no way within Roon to know what version an album is on Tidal, you have to use the Tidal desktop app and add them to your favorites and then sync those results into Roon.
 
Let me understand... you are saying that MQA decoding is being added to Roon in software... so listening to a MQA album with Roon through your current DAC will give the same advantages as if you owned one of the few "MQA certified DACs". This sounds like true software MQA decoding which is what I have been saying right along is critical for MQA to have any chance of true market penetration.

I hope this is true, not because I am that anxious for MQA; but it might actually tempt me to get a Tidal subscription.
 
Randy Myers said:
Let me understand... you are saying that MQA decoding is being added to Roon in software... so listening to a MQA album with Roon through your current DAC will give the same advantages as if you owned one of the few "MQA certified DACs". This sounds like true software MQA decoding which is what I have been saying right along is critical for MQA to have any chance of true market penetration.
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My *speculation* is that such software decoding only unfolds the MQA from 24/44.1 to get the high-res version without applying the DAC-dependent time domain de-blurring, unless they manage to do it universally for all possibly different DAC, which I suppose is impossible.

If I guessed correctly, then a certified MQA hardware decoder should sound better than software decoding from Tidal desktop app and Roon 1.3. Tidal desktop app has a MQA passthrough mode that leaves the MQA decoding to the DAC.
 
wklie said:
My *speculation* is that such software decoding only unfolds the MQA from 24/44.1 to get the high-res version without applying the DAC-dependent time domain de-blurring, unless they manage to do it universally for all possibly different DAC, which I suppose is impossible.

If I guessed correctly, then a certified MQA hardware decoder should sound better than software decoding from Tidal desktop app and Roon 1.3. Tidal desktop app has a MQA passthrough mode that leaves the MQA decoding to the DAC.
Click to expand...

Anyone with an MQA capable DAC and the Tidal app can test this right now. Does it sound better decoded in the DAC compared to decoded in the Tidal desktop app.
 
Randy Myers said:
Let me understand... you are saying that MQA decoding is being added to Roon in software... so listening to a MQA album with Roon through your current DAC will give the same advantages as if you owned one of the few "MQA certified DACs". This sounds like true software MQA decoding which is what I have been saying right along is critical for MQA to have any chance of true market penetration.

I hope this is true, not because I am that anxious for MQA; but it might actually tempt me to get a Tidal subscription.
Click to expand...

Roon & Audirvana have both announced software decoding coming soon. The Tidal app already has it. It's coming.

Apparently this software decoding is called Generic unfolding. So it's possible the hardware decoding does more but what that is and what that sounds like are questions to be answered.
 
Re: MQA on Tidal

Rhapsody said:
...I could not yet explain the differences but the MQA files are VERY holographic and there is a LOT of high frequency information that seems to have quadrupled. I don't have a good handle on it yet, but it is different and is definitely preferable...
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This doesn't make sense to me. Why would there be more high frequency information?? You make it sound like signal processing enhancement, not an attempt to be closer to the "master tape" sound?
 
Rob, Sorry, not trying to make sense to you or anyone. I'm just telling you what I am experiencing...ymmv. Also, as always regardless of the format, it always goes back to the quality of the original recording. Some recordings through this new Streaming process sound better than others.

Maybe when people hear the Tidal streaming MQA tracks through a MQA enabled DAC then they will have a different opinion of the sound. Right now I would NOT say that what I am hearing is closer to the Master Tape, what I am hearing just sounds very good and better than the non MQA version.

It also is going to depends on the system/dac's cables, speakers, electronics, room, tweeks etc as to what you will experience. And most people hear differently as well.

My problem now is that every time I open Tidal there are more of the Albums in the Masters section, over 400 albums now are in the Masters section. Then you have to favorite the ones you want and then update the Aurender app so they show up in your favorites in the Aurender app......hit play and be amazed.
 
Latest from Aurender
Hello Russ,
At the moment we have not finalized MQA certification for the A10. I’m not sure when we expect it to be complete, but we have been working hard at it and from what I gather most of the delay is due to MQA taking longer than expected to certify/verify the aspects of the MQA platform that would make the DAC in the A10 MQA certified. We are currently successfully streaming MQA content and playing it back with the A10 using beta versions of the A10 firmware, so it is just a matter of time.
Best Regards,
Jesse
 
Well, well well. Setting here at my friends house, listening to MQA via tidal through his Brooklynn which is connected through a ARLS27 into AR REF 210 monos and then to his SF Olympia III via Triode Wires cables, SME 20/3 TT, Lyra Skala. ( Windows 7-64 JRiver/HQPlayer. ). We are getting the little blue light on the Brooklynn and since we are both rockers at heart we are pleased by what we are hearing. The YES 90125 albums has a little more detail and a tad louder than normal as compared to the redbook version. So far so good. But its not beating the same album on vinyl or DSD. Listening continues.
 
"YES 90125 album"

I have that same album in a 192 KHz download. That would be an interesting comparison. I assume on Tidal it would be better than the Redbook. If not then what would be the use :)....
 
Randy Myers said:
"YES 90125 album"

I have that same album in a 192 KHz download. That would be an interesting comparison. I assume on Tidal it would be better than the Redbook. If not then what would be the use :)....
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Which masters were used, would be the first question when comparing. I'd use something that was released in the last year just to make sure they are the same master.
 
Rhapsody said:
...My problem now is that every time I open Tidal there are more of the Albums in the Masters section, over 400 albums now are in the Masters section. Then you have to favorite the ones you want and then update the Aurender app so they show up in your favorites in the Aurender app......hit play and be amazed.
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Bob, thanks for your early reporting on what you are hearing from MQA via Tidal thru the Aurender app. I sincerely appreciate your observations

I have a question that you may know the answer to. Isn't there a limitation on how many albums you can save on Aurender? The number of 1000 albums sticks out in my mind.

I do know that you can't have a total number of songs in multiple playlists that exceeds 2000. That sounds like a lot. But I've imported or created extensive playlists from multiple genres and things start getting clunky around 1500 songs.

I believe that both Aurender and Lumin claim the limitation is a result of memory on the iPad. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

I have enjoyed following other people's posts on this thread. I hope others will post what they are hearing. Especially those with an MQA sanctioned DAC.
 
Randy Myers said:
"YES 90125 album"

I have that same album in a 192 KHz download. That would be an interesting comparison. I assume on Tidal it would be better than the Redbook. If not then what would be the use :)....
Click to expand...

Most of this album was recorded at 16/44.1 PCM; keep that in mind.
 
Hi Everyone. I am listening to TIDAL streaming MQA to my Mytek Brooklyn dac which you all may know decodes MQA for full performance.

All I can say is... "WOW!!!!!"

I am blown away, absolutely stunned by the sound quality. The dynamics and detail is nothing short of mesmerizing. What was to be a 10 minute listening session (to ensure everything was operating properly) became a 1 hour 20 minute listening session.

I encourage you to keep an open mind and experience it for yourselves. If it's not for you we'll that's fine. For me it's an unexpected revelation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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