Just out of curiosity, has anyone had a chance to listen to music from a MQA Audio file and if so, what did you think? I am not a fan of compressed audio, but if someone can enhance the audio quality with convenience, than I am willing to test it out.
Hi Innocepts,
Currently, Tidal's iOS iPhone app will not decode MQA files at all. You'll only hear 'redbook' 16/44 cd sound quality. Tidal's macOS *desktop* app **will** decode the MQA files with what's referred to as the 'first unfolding' of MQA. iOS first unfolding will eventually come to Tidal's iOS app, but nobody seems to know when exactly. If you use Meridian's explorer2 dac, you will get both, the first and second unfolding of the MQA file. I *think* that will hold true even via the iPhone iOS Tidal app, but you'll need to double check that. The Meridian explorer2 dac is a great bargain. AudioQuest have usb dacs you can use to get MQA decoding from as well, but I think they stop at 24/96 first unfolding vs the Meridian's 24/192.
As in love with MQA sound quality as I am, I've yet to hear the second unfolding 'goodness' since I do not own an external MQA dac...yet. 🙂 I'm waiting for a MQA dac in the $1000 range or a used Mytek Brooklyn DAC.
I listen to MQA via Tidal + Audirvana software via my MBP. That gives me the 'first unfolding', not the second unfolding. Sounds bloody awesome. Can only imagine the second unfolding.
My system has two Tidal & HiRes sources. One, through my Roon server on a Sonic Transporter == no MQA (yet), but accesses my HiRes files on a usb drive attached to the Sonic Transporter + Tidal. Roon should support MQA 'soon'.
Second source...Audirvana software recently added 'network' capability, so I launch Audirvana...point it to my Sonore ultraRendu box to receive the Audirvana, MQA decoded files...the ultraRendu then passes those files on to the DAC that lives inside my powered Kef LS50W speakers.
I buy my hi res music mostly from hdtracks.com.
Hit me up with any questions.
Try the IFi iDSD Nano Black Label much better than Meridian
I listen to MQA files almost daily. Earlier this year, I switched from Apple Music to Tidal because of MQA. Apple Music is 'good', but it is what it is...lossy compressed audio. With decent playback gear, MQA is a BIG improvement in sound quality over 'redbook' 16/44 cd quality. Tidal has MQA. Deezer just added MQA support. HDmusicStream service launching later this year will provide MQA. The new V30 phone has MQA decoding built in. Will the new iPhone 8? Any sign of Apple Music offering hi-res of any kind?
As a comparison, I own a lot of 24/192 hi-res files...I prefer MQA encoded files, even at 24/96. Check out Audirvana software with Tidal for hearing MQA. Want even better sound? ... add Meridian's Explorer2 DAC.
Thank you jaduffy007 for your feedback. I checked out the Meridian's Explorer 2 DAC and that seems like a pretty impressive portable DAC. I have been listening to music on the Tidal App, but it seems the iPhone needs an outboard DAC to hear the quality out of the MQA files. It would be a great step in redeeming iTunes, by incorporating a Hi-Res Music service. Especially after promoting compressed audio, the demise of sound quality.
Where do you get your 24/192 files from and do you use that Meridian DAC for all your listening?
Apple product used to be pioneer in music industry. Name it an ipod, itunes, beats by dr dre and apple music! It was phenomenons! That’ s make apple so success today! But unfortunate it seems like apple left behind from other competitors. After all this years itunes finally support FLAC file with ReMASTERED audio which is support only 24bit/48khz. Same goes with beats headphones, the only things they knew was product refreshing with minor cosmetic change. Just take a look at sony headphones mdr-1000x or the latest wh-1000xm2 freakin awesome! Apple disappointed me!! No more next best things! Im using iphone x and never missed each new generation of apple iphone since 3,4,5,6,7 and X. But if apple keeps continue to be passive maybe this ist the last iphone i buy
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/
is a good resource on the products I mentioned.
MQA Audio Files
