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How Is MQA Fareing?

 In another thread here are posters are making comments about MQA suggesting that it isn't a big commercial success, that is should be called DOA, etc.  Yet there are always announcements about companies adopting MQA, testimonials from happy Tidal streamers, etc.
  I'm neutral on MQA but having witnessed more than a few formats go down in flames in my time, and still puzzling over the resurgence of vinyl, I wonder how one measures the marketplace progress of MQA.  Do we look at Tidal subscriptions?  Sales of MQA compatible DACs?  The size of Bob Stuart's house?
mahler123
bec1195
11 posts
 
So far, so good.  Two of the three major record companies (conglomerates Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group) have  signed on with MQA and end users seem to be happy with it.  

Streaming seems to be where music sales are going.  The major labels have long wanted to find a way to rent music rather than sell it.  So it just needs enough people to sign up for Tidal Masters to make it profitable enough for everyone involved.  That's the hard part.  $20/month is the introductory rate.  That's sure to be jacked up in the future if it catches on.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
No idea about MQA progress but Tidal Masters often sound excellent and that is what I am very happy about.

I have a theory that high frequencies generated in excessively high resolution help with DAC performance ....a kind of dither if you like as none of thse excessively high frequencies are actually audible but the audible audio spectrum often sounds better at higher sample rates.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
fear of DRM from MQA is driving a lot of unhappiness
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,614 posts
 
+1 arh

I am enjoying the subtle audible improvements everytime I cue up a MQA recording on Tidal and very excited about MQA prospect. 

Having said that, I believe most major manufacturer of DAC's are still on the fence or lagging behind which is IMO, quite discouraging.  Any new format (software) success or failure largely depends on compatible hardware availability.  

Let's hope we see more MQA compatiable DAC's in second half of the year. 
pytaniedodcf
2 posts
 
To arh:
Dear "arh" - you're entirely wrong and  we don't really care what you think.

All specialists (aware of Bob's "doings") are obligated to inform audiophiles about all that they know about MQA - in order to make right decision: to buy or not to buy MQA.
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