Quick How to Stream MQA via Tidal to Bluesound


Just recently (yesterday?), Tidal started offering "masters" recordings that are in MQA format @ 96khz as opposed to 44.1khz. But, the catch--at least right now--is that such offerings are limited to (a) <200 albums; and (b) streaming only through Tidal's desktop app--not through iPhone, iPad, etc. 

Here's how I got the MQA to work in Bluesound.  It's only a temporary fix. 

1. Go to Tidal on my computer/desktop app. 
2. Open Tidal. 
3. Go to "What's New"
4. Next to Albums just above the album artwork you'll see, "New, Recommended, Top 20, Masters."  Select Masters. 
5. When you see an album of Masters you like, add it to your Favorites. 
6. Open your Bluesound app on your favorite device (does not have to be your computer/desktop). 
7. Go to Favorites, Albums, and find the album.  It can be a bit difficult if you already have, for example, a previous non-masters version in your favorites.  But, when you stream the proper album your DAC--if so equipped--will indicate that it's streaming in 96khz as opposed to the standard 44.1khz. 

Tidal needs to make this browsing functionality available in its own app. That may not help identify the "Masters" in Bluesound's app, but til those two things are updated you can use this workaround. 

I tested Van Morrison's Moondance and several Led Zeppelin albums.  The 96khz is subtlely different streaming through Tidal - Bluesound - my NAD M51 DAC.  I like the sound of vocals, drums, bass and transients. 
128x128jbhiller
Thanks for the post.  I am streaming MQA, at least that is what the bluesound app is telling me.  It sounds great but then again so do the originals (16/44.1 hifi streams).
The above method 'jbhiler' describes even works on non-MQA DACs. I'm listening to TIDAL Masters (MQA) tracks with my Lumin S1.  The tracks show as 48K / 24 bit, which is of course is higher than the Redbook standard TIDAL HiFi usually delivers. I'm guessing if my DAC was MQA capable, it would show as 96K / 24 bit.

Does this prove you don't need the TIDAL desktop app to decode the Masters (MQA) tracks?
A couple of things. Not all of the Tidal MQA contents are delivered at 24/96 so your non-MQA DAC is just showing the original rate. Try a few other titles from the Masters list and you'll see 96 on most of them but that's the most you'll get from a non-MQA DAC. The benefit of an MQA enabled DAC comes in when the original content is being delivered at 24/192. Here's what I've learned: the Tidal app decodes the first MQA phase up to 96 via software and going 96 -> 192 requires the hardware in the DAC. I also verified with the Bluesound helpdesk that both analog and digital coax outputs can handle MQA content.