MQA through Toslink

@marktomaras 

hi, the source is Tidal and FLAC, transmitted over WiFi to multiple Airport Expresses, which feature an mini-Toslink output. 

They currently go via Toslink into Fiio D03 DACs and then to the integrated amps via RCA. 

I’m looking to improve the DAC section of the chain. My goal is a more 3D soundstage. The Fiio DAC sounds great in tone, rhythm and separation. But it doesn’t have the depth/texture I desire. Budget is $200-$400

Does the airport express also have the option to output via ethernet and even USB?  This will remove your toslink limitation.  Toslink is not particularly desirable by the way.  Something like the Meridian Explorer 2 can accept a USB signal from the Airport if the airport can use the USB port to output audio.  Usually hifi via ethernet is more desirable.  A previous poster mentioned Bluesound Node 2.  This is a killer option for you.  Forget toslink, go ethernet, and use the Bluesound.  The version 2 is $500 new.  You just have to find a deal on one, which seems possible.  Bluesound has a great control app for android and iOS so you can control with any device and stream Tidal, etc.  

@lalitk 

The Node 2 will do the first unfold via digital out, but the full untold requires using the analog output. 

The Node 2 does have a digital optical input, though I’m not sure if it can unfold MQA content from the digital input or only through streaming sources.  

Lets pretend cost cost is no object. What DACs can decode MQA fed from data via toslink?

It looks like the Mytek Liberty DAC should do it, it has an optical input and says it has a hardware MQA decoder (and a light on the front that will light up when MQA is being decoded).

The manual doesn't explicitly state MQA decoding via optical, but it doesn't say it doesn't (like the Pro-ject DAC).