MQA DAC with Coax Output

Sorry. What else can I say?

The CXN is your MQA barrier. Many streamers have USB output, but the CXN does not.

I just went through this looking for an MQA capable solution and decided to go with an Aurender N100H, which has USB output and allows me to use about any DAC with USB input (MQA or not).

For me, it was worth the effort. I really like MQA hi-res. For me, better than Qobuz hi-res. So don't give up!

Lots of great advice on this thread. LUMIN and Aurender are good choices I have experience with, but I’m sure many others would work well for you. But I think you need to move away from the CXN. It looks like Cambridge Audio does not offer any MQA streamers or DACs.

Good Luck!

The LUMIN D2 has an internal DAC, pretty similar functionally to the Arcam ST60. I don’t think the D2 has a USB Audio output for attaching an external MQA DAC, but they routinely update their operating system so it might. 
I own the LUMIN D1 with external linear power supply, and it is an excellent device. I just like my Aurender better! :-)

@zombiedad,
The only MQA DACs I know of that will decode MQA from an SPDIF input (coaxial or optical) are the Luxman D-03X and D-10X. The D-03X is somewhat reasonable price. Otherwise you’ll need to replace your CXN with a streamer with integral MQA DAC like the LUMINs or get a new streamer with USB out plus MQA DAC.   

Sorry @zombiedad, this won’t work because all the DACs you mentioned only decode MQA files from their USB input, and the CXN only has coaxial and optical digital outputs. Also, the decoded MQA would only be output from the DACs through analog output, not digital. Good luck!

I suspect that is Roon telling you what the Authenticated MQA decoded resolution would be, if your DAC could do it.  But I’m not a Roon expert. The base MQA file is 24bit/48khz, so that’s likely what you are hearing. 
By the way, if you are using Roon, forget Aurender. Aurender has chosen not to be Roon compatible. 

Hi @zombiedad,

Wow, that Arcam ST60 looks almost as pretty as the CXN!  Might be a great choice for you, so long as you like the internal DAC. There is a USB-A port on the rear, but I suspect it is for attaching USB storage devices and not for digital signal output. The device is so new I couldn’t find a manual to check it out. Again, if there is no USB Audio output, then you won’t be able to try other reasonably priced MQA DACs. But that might be fine if you like the ST60’s DAC. 

My Aurender N100H is a streamer only. It does not include a DAC and the only output is the USB connection to an external DAC. The N100H is attached to my network through the Ethernet port (LAN) on the back. The single USB port on the back is the USB Audio output which I have connected to my standalone DAC. There are two more USB ports right under the Ethernet port (USB 1 & USB 2), but those are intended for attaching USB storage devices. Finally the analog output from the standalone DAC is connected to my integrated amp. 
I chose the N100H because I like the Conductor App for selecting music, and it allows me to choose whatever DAC I like. I’ve found DACs sound very different from one another, sort of like the differences between cartridges (if you are into vinyl). 
Anyhow, it’s a fun hobby and a forum like this is a nice thing in 2020. Have fun!