Aurender MQA Update

[1KW]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Well, here I am finally listening to the first unfold of MQA music files on my Aurender N100H in the living room sound system. What I have been doing for the last couple of hours is playing the same songs in 16/44.1 back to back with the MQA versions in 24/96. Comparing Fleetwood Mac Deluxe - "Landslide" and "Say You Love Me" MQA files to standard resolution files reveals a small improvement in clarity and air around voices and instruments. I don't find the difference to be as startlingly impressive as I had hoped for, but it is apparent that overall definition and space on the soundstage seems improved.

Listening to the latest recording from Steve Tyrell - A Song For You, "Come Rain Or Come Shine" I notice the piano, flute, and brushes have more detail, particularly the piano and flute sounded more separated and individual in the MQA version versus the 16/44.1 standard version. Steve's voice has a more realistic sense of presence, too.

Listening to Tord Gustavsen Trio - "Colours of Mercy" from the recording The Ground was more revealing between the MQA version and the standard definition version. The beginning piano notes and the following chords, plus acoustic double bass and drums were presented with considerably more definition and air around the instruments from the MQA version. The acoustic bass is richer and slightly less bloated than it sounds on the standard definition version. Cymbals have a more convincing metallic ring and lingering decay from the MQA recording. I listened to this wonderful tune three times and found the MQA version more emotionally engaging.

What I have discovered in the past couple of hours is not every recording gains a greater presence with MQA processing. Some recordings, like Lee Ritenour - A Twist Of Rit sounded essentially identical in standard definition when compared to the MQA version, so I assume a large contributing factor to the end results still centers on the original recording and mastering. I find that MQA music files can present a more pleasant listening experience but it is not universal, at least in my limited initial auditioning experience. I have not noticed with any recordings where I thought MQA did any harm to a performance. That's a good thing, even if detail, air, clarity, and soundstage improvements aren't guaranteed with every recording. I am still quite pleased with the sound quality of 16/44.1 standard definition streaming. If MQA processing adds some delicious frosting to that cake, great.

How do you find these great records? Tord Gustavsen Trio - "Colours of Mercy" Sounds fantastic, the decay of lingering instruments is superb .