Streamer MQA Question

I was wondering if in order to stream TIDAL (which I have a sub to) do both the Streamer AND the DAC need to be MQA compatible/capable?

reg887t02-22-2023 7:18pm

kota1 Details Discussions Posts This discussion 2,706 posts 02-22-2023 at 08:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete To get the full unfold an MQA DAC would suffice with any streamer with a digital output OR a streamer with RCA outs that has an internal DAC. https://www.mqa.co.uk/playback-devices
reg887t OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7 posts 02-22-2023 at 09:48pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I'm assuming that USB-A is considered digital out? So as long as the DAC can do MQA, I should be good to go?
rockrider Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 181 posts 02-22-2023 at 11:48pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Only a DAC can perform the full unfold. Streamers without an integrated DAC, or software like Roon can do the first unfold only, also called the “core decode”.