MQA on Mcintosh DAC

[kubla36]

Has anyone seen threads anywhere on if/when/what Mcintosh DACs may support the final MQA unfolding (e.g. getting to 24x192 and timing correction)?

[Mamrak1]

I did a search and I didn't find one word about MQA and McIntosh mentioned anywhere. Perhaps they are taking a wait and see approach.

[o0OBillO0o]

No need, just use a software player that decodes MQA.

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

No need, just use a software player that decodes MQA.

Can you please share any software players that provide full MQA decoding?

Edit addition: After a bit of further investigation, the question I asked above can be ignored since it's not currently possible. Software MQA decoding (also called MQA Core decoding) can only perform the first unfold of data which can provide a maximum of twice the base sample rate, either 88.2 or 96kHz. Full decoding can only be done in the hardware (DAC) since it's tailored to the specific DAC. That's the situation as MQA is currently implemented, of course it may be possible in the future that they'll develop a software only solution to implement full MQA decoding.

[o0OBillO0o]

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/co...mqa-civilians/

[Kalle Klovn]

I would not mind a firmware update to my C48 that allowed full MQA rendering up to the capacity limits of the DAC. That would be a great gesture from McIntosh and a strong support of its customers.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Kalle Klovn

I would not mind a firmware update to my C48 that allowed full MQA rendering up to the capacity limits of the DAC. That would be a great gesture from McIntosh and a strong support of its customers.

My question is whether or not it is feasible. Anybody know? Is the rendering hardware (actual physical part of board) or firmware driven???? I have no idea.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/co...mqa-civilians/

Thank you Bill! Excellent explanation. Really helps to get a more knowledgeable understanding of the steps required to process MQA. The only unknown is his guesstimate about "90%" benefits occur in core decoding and 10% via rendering. I don't know if I buy that.

I will find out soon enough for myself. I own a Meridian 808v6 and I am on verge of ordering D1100/MCT450. Will be fun to hook both DACs to my C1100 preamp and have impromptu shoot outs.

Why the hell not. My system will be sans vinyl for foreseeable future, may as well have as much fun with digital as I can. The 450/1100 combo allows my sacd collection to remain relevant as the 808 spins only CD.

The Aurender N10 will feed both 808 and D1100.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by j3brow

Thank you Bill! Excellent explanation. Really helps to get a more knowledgeable understanding of the steps required to process MQA. The only unknown is his guesstimate about "90%" benefits occur in core decoding and 10% via rendering. I don't know if I buy that.

I will find out soon enough for myself. I own a Meridian 808v6 and I am on verge of ordering D1100/MCT450. Will be fun to hook both DACs to my C1100 preamp and have impromptu shoot outs.

Why the hell not. My system will be sans vinyl for foreseeable future, may as well have as much fun with digital as I can. The 450/1100 combo allows my sacd collection to remain relevant as the 808 spins only CD.

The Aurender N10 will feed both 808 and D1100.

Does your v6 currently see MQA passed from Tidal via your N10 to the 808? If you are connected via USB (Tidal to N10) I'm not positive that Tidal knows how to send MQA to your 808 endpoint. If it is showing up on your display properly (MQA.) then I guess it is.

[JBT]

I think most everyone is going to wait and see on MQA! What happened to DSD? Last years hot high resolution topic?