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 .

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 1KW

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

David.......This is the type of instrumental jazz I enjoy and search for. I have listened to Tord Gustavsen Trio and Tord Gustavsen Quartet for years. Glad you discovered their music. The MQA versions streamed from Tidal are very nice.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......This is the type of instrumental jazz I enjoy and search for. I have listened to Tord Gustavsen Trio and Tord Gustavsen Quartet for years. Glad you discovered their music. The MQA versions streamed from Tidal are very nice.

Yep, good stuff. The 3 CDs I had and are now in Roon are 14 on the dynamic range scale which is excellent.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......This is the type of instrumental jazz I enjoy and search for. I have listened to Tord Gustavsen Trio and Tord Gustavsen Quartet for years. Glad you discovered their music. The MQA versions streamed from Tidal are very nice.

Dan ,

If you don't mind, email a Tidal playlist or two you like from your Aurender .

[Rick U]

What do the blue and green indicators mean on the conductor app?

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Rick U

What do the blue and green indicators mean on the conductor app?

This is a guess but one color may mean you are unfolding to the highest resolution, for example original file is 96 and you are unfolding to same 96 level and the other color means you are unfolding to a lower resolution than the original file, for example listening at 96 but original file is 192. That’s the best I can guess.

[j3brow]

Any idea why the app says 32 bit instead of 24 bit??

[PMCH]

I am wondering about the 32 bit vs 24 bit and also on the Aurender App it shows 32 bit 192 kHz but on the front of my N10 it shows MQA Studio 96 kHz. Sounds great but wonder what it means.

[imprezap2]

Originally Posted by PMCH

I am wondering about the 32 bit vs 24 bit and also on the Aurender App it shows 32 bit 192 kHz but on the front of my N10 it shows MQA Studio 96 kHz. Sounds great but wonder what it means.

That's the second unfold (comes with the Aurender MQA license), your DAC will do the last unfold, that's my guess anyway

[GreginNH1]

I’m trying to get the MQA upgrade but it’s not showing a single an option on the menu bar.

I have an email in to tech support.