Is DEQX a game changer?

I too have followed MQA very closely.  Very promising, crazy enthusiasm, but so far...nothing.  

I wrote to DEQX a few weeks ago with some questions, one of which regarded MQA integration.  Their response was that the jury is still out on MQA, they place significant burdens on the DAC manufacturer, and the availability of media remains far too limited.  So it does not sound like they are getting on board anytime soon.  

MQA integration was one of my few hesitations regarding the HDP5.  I assumed that something would be lost in the additional AD/DA required using a separate DAC.  The comments above more than confirmed my suspicions.  So I recognize that if I go forward with the HDP5, MQA is likely not happening for me for quite a while and I think that's okay.  The real benefits of the DEQX seem to outweigh the promises of MQA.  

@jeffrubin, I'm glad you reached out to DEQX and shared their general feedback. I was curious to get their take. I'm not surprised at the response at all. Despite my enthusiasm for MQA, I think i'm in the same boat as you. I think the positives of speaker/room correction and crossover of the DEQX would outweigh the benefit of MQA. That's my current leaning, anyway. 

That said, my music library is HEAVILY based on CD-quality digital streaming via Tidal (controlled by Roon which I'm now using and ecstatic about). If Tidal flips the switch on MQA this century and starts streaming most if not all of their library in that format, I hope it sounds as good or better through a non-MQA DAC than the current format. That's what MQA promises, but I've heard doubters. I tend to trust MQA, backed by reviewers at Stereophile, Audiostream, etc. 

Roon running directly on the HDP5 is awesome.  

@jeffrubin I am not sure I am clear if the HDP5 contains the Roon Server - or is just a Roon endpoint. If it is a full on server - how do you configure it with music sources etc? Is there a remote configuration app? Can the app running on your smartphone configure the server running on your DEQX?

I understand if it is a Roon Endpoint and you have a server running on a machine elsewhere how this would work - but I see nothing on the Roon site or DEQX site that says that the HDP5 comes with the server pre-installed.

For those who have been waiting for Part 3 of the DEQX articles on Digital Audio Review, it’s up now: http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/09/bring-the-bass-back-with-deqx-and-dynaudio/

This part covers subwoofer integration.