DirectStream DAC & MQA on the Horizon?

[ejr1953]

I have had a DirectStream DAC for about 2 1/2 years, and have a lot of respect for Paul and Ted, love the idea of the FPGA-based DAC and the ability to improve its performance via firmware updates, which I apply as they are made available.

I was also intrigued by the promise of MQA after I read the articles in The Absolute Sound last year, hoping it was something of substance in moving the needle forward with audiophile sound quality.

When I read that Tidal and Warner Music signed on, my "hopeful meter" jumped up!

When Tidal announced they added some MQA albums, I ordered a Meridian Explorer2 DAC ($199 on Amazon), to see how those albums sound and can report that I am very pleasantly surprised! The MQA music I've sampled so far seems to have a little better bass, mid like guitars, violins, voices, etc. seem more rich and smooth, highs like cymbals seem to have a little more clarity and timbre, and MQA seems to have a little better dynamics.

I am not a "vinyl fan", but understand why so many audiophiles love it, as for some music the "clarity" that digital offers can sometimes sound "edgy". In my case, I just can't get over the pops, clicks and surface noise. I think the good news with MQA is that the format also doesn't seem to have that "edginess".

From the PS Audio forums, at first it seemed that Paul was not impressed with the sample equipment he was provided a while back. But judging from the comments on the forums lately, I wonder if he and Ted are putting their heads together to see how they could support MQA?

I think "the jury is still out" on the feasibility of MQA in the marketplace, but I suspect, if it gains as much acceptance as SACD/DSD, the high-end DAC manufacturers will find they'll need to support the format. Fingers crossed!