ifi pro idsd or chord qutest, border patrol has an amazing sound but is the farthest from mqa...don’t go for mytek they fall short in most sound comparisons.
whatever you buy ,if it’s mqa make sure the firmware is upgradable like ps or ifi because mqa has many types from 16 44 to 24 384 or maybe more and it’s evolving .try to find something with a linear power supply or upgradable to one.
chord are great but say that mqa for them is downgrading. ps audio make the dac separate than the mqa filter because they claim it compromises their design so only the streamer deals with mqa . if you find something that plays mqa (and upgradable)and has a tube output stage i think that’s the best way to go because tubes can be the cure for digital sound and you can roll nice nos. iv’e just started tidal and my old nuforce is only 24*96 but even now playing mqa sounds better.i’m on a tight budget so went for a used ifi idac2 that’s upgradable to mqa(250 on ebay).
whatever you buy ,if it’s mqa make sure the firmware is upgradable like ps or ifi because mqa has many types from 16 44 to 24 384 or maybe more and it’s evolving .try to find something with a linear power supply or upgradable to one.
chord are great but say that mqa for them is downgrading. ps audio make the dac separate than the mqa filter because they claim it compromises their design so only the streamer deals with mqa . if you find something that plays mqa (and upgradable)and has a tube output stage i think that’s the best way to go because tubes can be the cure for digital sound and you can roll nice nos. iv’e just started tidal and my old nuforce is only 24*96 but even now playing mqa sounds better.i’m on a tight budget so went for a used ifi idac2 that’s upgradable to mqa(250 on ebay).