Streamer MQA Question

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?

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”.  

What I'm looking to do is build a hires system a piece at a time due to $$$ constraints. Starting with the Bricasti M5 with the Audioquest Dragonfly Red (which I already have on hand) plugged into the M3's USB-A Output. The AQDR would then be plugged into Genelec 8030Cs using a Mogami 3.5mm to 2-XLR Male cable.

I would trigger playback from Audirvana which would do the "1st unfold". 

Sounds feasible?

Down the line I would replace the AQ with another better DAC (hopefully under 2K).

I meant the M5's  USB-A Output.

I settled on doing the innuos pulse mini (should be here in a week or so) with output over usb to an r2r dac for some types of music, and a toslink (24/192) to a delta sigma dac for other types of music (loud rock, aka AC/DC). Both dacs do full mqa unfold..  More instrumental through r2r..

I can feed the pulse mini from qobuz/tidal/NAS..

I didn’t go with Aurender simply due to my laziness where I would have to move the usb between dacs..