MQA: A Review of controversies, concerns, and cautions

[Dr Tone]

Originally Posted by Still-One

If you re asking whether I would be happy without hi-rez (24/96-24/192 or DSD). Hell yes.

16/44.1 with the right DAC is outstanding.

No, that's not what I'm asking. I'm asking if you are happy enough with MQA that it's an end game solution for you? Because that scenario is part of MQA's very public business objective.

Some of us just want to pass on MQA because we don't like what might happen if MQA takes a strangle hold on the market. Personally I don't care what it sounds like, I'm happy with my rather affordable Yggdrasil. I want to see what amazing filters and DAC designs can come in the future outside of the 15 or so Bob Stuart licensed MQA filters.

[1KW]

Amazing how many people have formed a negative opinion of MQA on Tidal who have never heard it ? I find that I am constantly looking for MQA albums to listen to as I think it sounds better than a lot of standard rebook albums via the Aurender to my DAC even with only the first unfold. I understand the argument of feeling that it is only for licensing fees that it was created which I am sure is partially true however its not like anyone here feeling that way is going to change anything. Its here, its not going anywhere, get used to it, enjoy be happy it happens to sound pretty good.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

And it doesn't concern you that one company could end up having that kind of monopoly over the music industry and day manufacturers?

The issue isn't concern of monopoly, the record music labels already own the music so they have the right to do what they want. Before everyone downloaded cd's and shared music on a computer people had to buy a cd or a an LP or record it onto tape or minidisc (which never caught on but I still one) . I can't blame the record labels for trying to control stealing of the music they own ie people copying downloads for free which hurts the artist income as well. I know that when I go to the record store $30 and above for one vinyl reissue or similar price on HD tracks is a expensive way to build a library and many like the idea of hi quality digital streaming for $20/ month.

[jimtranr]

Will be interesting to see whether and to what extent, if at all, tomorrow's solar storm affects the streaming experience. Maybe a Chicken Little moment?

What I found notable about Jon Iverson's latest MQA commentary is the frequency of "lossy"- and "compression"-related references and the prospect that the MQA-encoded "masters" used for all of a given label's releases would incorporate those "enhancements" (my term, not his). He uses "crippleware" in a different context (DRM), but it strikes me that it applies to MQA's lossy/compression aspect as well.

As for "de-blurring"? Hell, I achieved that by upgrading my USB-stream regenerator. (Sorry, folks, but try as I might, I couldn't resist the snark.)

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Here are just a few quotes from posts. I tried not to duplicate comments from the same poster. I didn't need to spend much time finding these.

I have read many favorable comments regarding the sound of MQA from AA members whose opinions I respect. Although I have not heard it myself, based on those opinions I have no doubt that MQA Masters on Tidal sound better than the regular 16/44 versions. I am less sure about how they would compare to the original 24/96, 24/192, or DSD versions of the same. I think it’s great that those using Tidal can now have better sound, and I make no representations that I have any real knowledge whatsoever about Tidal’s sound quality.

My concern stems solely from the potential long-term impact in the music and electronics industry, and MQA’s goal of inserting itself into the studio so that all music is MQA-encoded, everyone pays an additional licensing fee, and you have to have that little green light on your hardware to ensure you that you’re getting an original MQA-certified master. I worry about long-term monopoly and lack of choice for digital music.

[ejr1953]

I must admit, when Tidal first started streaming MQA, I bought one of those inexpensive "Explorer2" DACs to see what all the fuss was, and many of the selections I auditioned "knocked my socks off".

When it seemed that MQA was gaining more acceptance in the marketplace, I sent the "Explorer2" to a friend and bought a Mytek Brooklyn DAC (for MQA), in addition to the excellent PS Audio DirectStream DAC I've owned since it first came on the market.

As more and more titles have become available on Tidal, I'd say that most, but not all of the MQA masters sound "better" than the CD & SACD quality versions I own (when I have both to compare), but I would not say that "all" MQA masters sound "better" than the non-MQA versions. When I play most SACD's with my PS Audio hardware, I'd say those versions almost always sound better than the MQA versions, but that might not be an "apples to apples" comparison, as the MQA streams from the USB port from my Windows10 Pro machine into the Brooklyn DAC, while the SACD's DSD output from my PS Audio DirectStream transport make their way to the DirectStream DAC with an I2S interface (where the timing is separated from the "bits", something that's not being done with the USB pathway).

Though I really enjoy having "physical" CDs and SACDs to play, I know that the future is probably one where we will increasingly "rent" our music, instead of owning it. Enough of the MQA masters sound better than the older versions that I'm "rooting" for MQA to succeed in the marketplace.

[ylee]

In terms of rights, I can't comment as I have not studied the issues in detail.

For sound quality, I'll say this: My DAC does not do MQA hardware-wise, so I'm only getting the software unfolding via Tidal. Despite the lack of hardware unfolding, MQA sounds very nice to me, certainly better than standard Redbook from my music server or streamed from Tidal. In fact, my ears tell me it comes close to high rez FLAC files on my music server. For streaming, MQA appears to be a good technical answer for bringing high quality sound into the home.

[armyslowrdr]

I was so stunned upon signing up for the 12$ month military subscription for TIDAL Hi-Fi tier that I have cancelled Spotify and will also buy less LPs now. And forget about me ever buying another SACD I think. Yes even without a special hardware decoder it is game changer...IMO..And IAW MY ears.

[JBT]

Do You Hear What I Hear?


http://www.realhd-audio.com/?p=6091

[Still-One]