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Pontus ii and Hi Res

A bit new to streaming so apologies for a naive question. I’m streaming Tidal from a Bluesound Node into a new Denafrips Pontus ii via optical cable. Regardless of resolution (hi res or MQA), the DAC stays on 44.1 kHz x 1 multiplier. I tried setting the streamer audio to “MQA to external DAC”, but no difference. Also no difference toggling between OS and NOS  

What am I missing? If the Pontus can’t unfold MQA or resolve anything above 44.1 (x1)  is there any reason to keep Tidal’s highest res service?  The DAC should certainly recognize higher res files...no?

Appreciate any ideas. 

chocaholic
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,582 posts
 

MQA is a scam. Redbook is fine. Apparently you are overpaying for Tidal. You are not alone. Virtually no one can pass the AIX HiRez test to identify it.  At least you started streaming at the right place.

Do you know how to Google?:

 

marco1's avatar
marco1
518 posts
 

Subscribe to Qobuz.  Problem solved.  You'll get up to 196 with your setup and the lights on the Pontus will confirm it. Better SQ than Tidal too.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,129 posts
 

The pontus doesnot do mqa no big loss,  it’s not better then hires files anyway 

just go to QObuz.

bolong
599 posts
 

My Terminator dac will not go higher than 44.1. The later models (2, Plus, and Plus 12th anniversary) will do 48K.

rockrider
181 posts
 

Pretty sure the “MQA to external DAC” option turned “on” means your Node is not performing the first unfold since it expects the external DAC to do everything, and in that case your non-MQA DAC will always see 44.1 kHz. Disable “MQA to external DAC” and the Node should do the first unfold. 

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