MQA Takes Off at CES 2016

So when this is all said and done, I guess you have to have the software but to get the full benefit of MQA you have to have a MQA supporting DAC, if NOT you still get 44.1KHz, 16-bit audio is that correct ?

And this MQA does it work for DSD ?

Most of us have a lot of music downloaded, does this mean to take advantage of a MQA re-coded file you have to download ($$) the music file again ?
 
Audioseduction said:
I find it interesting. How many formats where there be by the end of 2020?
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George, If the digital gurus stick to only using three letters but allowing for repetition of letters, there are 17,576 possible permutations. After that they will have to go to more letters. :disbelief:

Hope that helps. ;)
 
CPP said:
So when this is all said and done, I guess you have to have the software but to get the full benefit of MQA you have to have a MQA supporting DAC, if NOT you still get 44.1KHz, 16-bit audio is that correct ?

And this MQA does it work for DSD ?

Most of us have a lot of music downloaded, does this mean to take advantage of a MQA re-coded file you have to download ($$) the music file again ?
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PCM only.

MQA not needed in the Dac if you have like an Auralic Aries streamer with updated FW to enable MQA processing. The output of that can feed any PCM Dac.

I heard MQA on a Mytek Brooklyn and was decidedly underwhelmed. To me MQA is a way to get better than RBCD playback on streaming services.
 
Toomey said:
Very intriguing, Mike did you get a chance to hear this for yourself?
what is your opinion?
thanks,
Jim T
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Yes. I heard several songs. Elvis, Frank Sinatra and others. I thought it sounded very good. Would definitely like to hear again - on something but Meridian speakers though!
 
wisnon said:
PCM only.

MQA not needed in the Dac if you have like an Auralic Aries streamer with updated FW to enable MQA processing. The output of that can feed any PCM Dac.

I heard MQA on a Mytek Brooklyn and was decidedly underwhelmed. To me MQA is a way to get better than RBCD playback on streaming services.
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Thanks Norm
 
It's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff when there is a lot of marketing speak. Details are sketchy to say the least. I have heard MQA, I did like it, so let's keep an open mind. What we have now isn't exactly perfect. Last time I checked, there was sweet bugger all new coming out on DSD - that people have actually heard of and will buy! We definitely need something better than 16/44.
 
I have no problem with MQA except for the overhype. I certainly will take it when they upgrade the FW on the Aries and it surely will step up Tidal's game. However, my audition was far from a halleluyah moment. It was just "good".

However, to say that nothing new comes out in DSD is besides the point. With Roon/HQP, potentially EVERYTHING can be made into DSD256 now....and all on the fly. Besides, MQA is not in competition with DSD anymore that Dolby was in competion with DTS, or HDCD...I for one want them all!
 
wisnon said:
I have no problem with MQA except for the overhype. I certainly will take it when they upgrade the FW on the Aries and it surely will step up Tidal's game. However, my audition was far from a halleluyah moment. It was just "good".

However, to say that nothing new comes out in DSD is besides the point. With Roon/HQP, potentially EVERYTHING can be made into DSD256 now....and all on the fly. Besides, MQA is not in competition with DSD anymore that Dolby was in competion with DTS, or HDCD...I for one want them all!
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How on earth can you make something out of nothing Norman? EVERYTHING can be made into DSD256 now? I think that's a stretch. Yes you can upsample everything, but if it was originally made as 24/96 PCM in the A-D stage, you cannot fundamentally change a leopards spots. DSD is a storage medium for digital audio. I will admit, I have heard the difference between native PCM and PCM upsampled to DSD. But aren't we just engaging the characteristics of the "DSD" processing section of the DAC Chip?
 
Technically you are correct Mike. However, upsampling to 256 (nosebleed level) with Jussi's algorithms, you somehow do get an "improvement"...or lets call it a more pleasing playback. Not as good as natively recorded DSD256, but better than RBCD.

High rez PCM is not what I would consider as a prime candidate for upsampling. RBCD is. You just need the right gear all throughout the chain. Thank goodness that kore and more manufacturers are making the right stuff.
 
The proof is in the listening.

And looks like by mid year 2016, there will be enough product/source material in the retail world to do that.

This is what excites me.
 
Certainly Prof!

I do think its a positive development…even if it pans out only for Streaming.
I will try it on the Aries when ready.
 
wisnon said:
I have no problem with MQA except for the overhype. I certainly will take it when they upgrade the FW on the Aries and it surely will step up Tidal's game. However, my audition was far from a halleluyah moment. It was just "good".

However, to say that nothing new comes out in DSD is besides the point. With Roon/HQP, potentially EVERYTHING can be made into DSD256 now....and all on the fly. Besides, MQA is not in competition with DSD anymore that Dolby was in competion with DTS, or HDCD...I for one want them all!
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Any idea on when ROON with HQP will be available?

CHEERS......
 
the professor said:
The proof is in the listening.

And looks like by mid year 2016, there will be enough product/source material in the retail world to do that.

This is what excites me.
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When RH from TAS first reported on MQA in Dec of 2014, he said MQA would be available in early 2015. Now we are in early 2016. Anyone seen any MQA files for sale/download?
 
mep said:
When RH from TAS first reported on MQA in Dec of 2014, he said MQA would be available in early 2015. Now we are in early 2016. Anyone seen any MQA files for sale/download?
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You raise a good point. It seems that we also have less details coming out today than we did a year ago. It was also supposed to be coming out early this year - now mid-year. My sources are telling me it's extensive legal rangling.
 
mep said:
When RH from TAS first reported on MQA in Dec of 2014, he said MQA would be available in early 2015. Now we are in early 2016. Anyone seen any MQA files for sale/download?
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Yes several files are available for download on the 2L site. Unfortunately even the Meridian gear has not been updated to play the tracks. Not sure if any of the other vendors are making their products available now.
 
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