How many of you believe in MQA?

I wouldn't say I'm "embracing" MQA, but I don't hate it either.  I think it sounds better than a CD quality file even with a non MQA DAC just letting Tidal's app do the first unfold.  I prefer hi-res files on Qobuz where I don't need a special device to get "all" of the MQA "magic".  I bought a MQA enabled DAC to see if there is a big difference, and there isn't to my ears.  

Your Bluesound will unfold MQA files if you use the analog outs.  I don't understand your statement that you can't control the Bluesound when running the sound through a DAC.  I do exactly that using my phone or tablet on two of my systems - Bluesound Node 2 ----> DAC ----> Preamp.

I’m indifferent on MQA, but I don’t necessarily think it’s fair to judge it based on the output of a Bluesound product, just because the DAC there IMO really isn’t strong enough to get the full benefit of the hi-res music recorded under the MQA.

I’ve got a Powernode 2 (full MQA) and separately a Teac NT-505, also full MQA. The difference between the two is night and day, though granted one is a $2k product and one is $800. The Teac uses dual AK 4497 while the Bluesound uses (and the 2i versions also still use) a dated TI/Burr Brown lower quality DAC chips. Also, the analog output section of the Teac is far superior to the Bluesound.

For further context, I also have an Integra DTM-7 (full MQA), and again, like the Bluesound, it's DAC really isn't strong enough to unlock all of the goodness of Hi-Res via Tidal MQA, even though it's fully certified etc full MQA.

IMO it really doesn't make sense for MQA to be be licensing to lower quality DACs like Bluesound/Integra DTM-7 because the MQA hi-res experience will kinda necessarily be underwhelming with that level of DAC, and it's really nothing to do with MQA.  (But of course not hard to figure out why they license to a high-volume company like Bluesound).

Tidal is my only source for all systems so I can’t really compare it’s hi-res content via MQA versus qobuz or hi-res downloads, fwiw.

All I’m saying is that were Bluesound my only reference for MQA, I’d be very underwhelmed, whereas with the Teac I am floored by the fantastic quality of Masters Tidal via MQA.

Bottom line, anyone looking for pheneomenal MQA/hi-res I'd suggest Teac NT-505 streamer/dac/preamp for $2k it's really really good.   (also not knocking the cheaper products (I own them and like them for their modest cost) just not really suited to hi res MQA IMO).

big_greg,

What I was referring to is the only way I can hear complete unfold using the Pro-Ject S2 DAC is to hook my PC computer to it via USB.  I wish I could understand more how it works because the dealer did not explain it well to me because he does not believe in MQA.

I am going to try using the Bluesound Node 2i hooked up RCA analogue to ARCAM and see how it sounds.  The technical people at Harmon Industries told me the DAC inside the Bluesound is better than the DAC inside my ARCAM AVR550.

I might be better off saving up my money for a DAC that can do the complete MQA unfold and be controlled by an iPhone, iPad or PC.  I think the Pro-Ject RS2 DAC has the ability to do this.  Wonder if anyone has experience with this DAC or if they have any ideas to offer to recommend a DAC that doesn't cost a fortune.

I have not yet opened the Bluesound box and I wonder if I should have gone with the Bel Canto eOne streamer.  Wonder if that has a better DAC than the Bluesound and perhaps that is why that dealer told me to buy that and not the Bluesound.  It retails for $1,600 and I wonder if the increased sell price is worth the money over the $499 Bluesound Node 2I?

Kind of on a side note, in the past when these questions came up there were always fanboys, with lots of canned counter points.

They seem to have vanished. Guess they've given up the fight?

I am enjoying MQA Masters from Tidal.  That first unfold provided by the Tidal app is all I need. More detail, kick drum sounds more real and the leading and trailing edge of bass notes are particularly well defined. 

It hasn’t cost me anything to listen to thousands of Hi-Res tracks I would have had to purchase otherwise.  I subscribed to Tidal well before MQA Masters were added to their library.  

Count me as a believer in MQA.  In general I like what I hear.  

I enjoy Qobuz also and listen to their Hi-Res selections as well.  Good stuff.  

My disclaimer is that I don’t have near the time or money invested in my hifi and music collection as a lot of others here do. I just like picking an album to play and if I wonder what the format is due to something I am hearing, I will investigate.  Otherwise it’s just the bliss of good tunes.  

I am enjoying hi-res in all the formats and consider my subscriptions to Tidal and Qobuz a bargain.