Nice MQA discussion

@mofimadness 


I often prefer Masters versions on Tidal also.

Like SACD - the masters used on MQA tracks can be better than the heavier compressed CD equivalent alternative. This is the benefit of a better master and not related to the MQA technology itself.

This is the benefit of a better master and not related to the MQA technology itself.

Says who?  Is this just your "assumption" or an actual fact?  And if a fact, where did you get this information?

Also, isn't the "Master" tag on the Tidal/MQA track what makes it a "Master MQA" track?  I don't know how you would ever know if the track sounded "better"  because it was just a better mastered 16/44.1 track or if MQA actually makes it better.

@shadorne ...If I'm reading/understanding you right, you are adding a THIRD variable to the mix.

1.  Standard CD 16/44.1 track
2.  Standard CD 16/44.1 track (Better Master)
3.  MQA track

Not sure if this quite right, but that's just me...

@mofimadness

The MQA process also includes a filter which will slightly change the sound even on the same master (an especially bad type of filter - minimum phase - which changes the sound audibly). Perhaps the audible filter is what you prefer. There is no magic in filtering the sound. Anyone can do this now with digital pro tools. This is not special technology just more hand waving from the promoters of MQA...of course they claim their filter is “special” and an improvement...

This is not special technology just more hand waving from the promoters of MQA...of course they claim their filter is “special” and an improvement...

Well, they have spent a lot of money and time saying the opposite.

I have owned several DACs that had numerous digital "filter" settings.  Nothing I have ever come across or heard does what MQA does.  No matter the DAC filter setting.

@shadorne...do you have an MQA DAC?  Or you just saying the "master" tracks sound better than their regular CD tracks on Tidal, (which I also agree do sound better, but even better if MQA decoded).

After many, many hours of listening, IMHO, Bob and his team did what they claim.  Sounds better to me.

I guess we will just agree to disagree...

This just in....Aurender N10/N100/W20 owners now able to purchase MQA Core Decoder license from within the Aurender Conductor app for $54.99.

This will allow users to hear MQA coded files at 88.2kHz or 96kHz sample rate through a non-MQA compatiable DAC’s.

http://www.aurender.com/blog/new-software-release-note-4/post/system-sw-4-5-11-36-app-2-9-3-93-189