MQA is Legit!

This thread reads like a political argument. It's clear people have chosen their "camps" and are digging in. I for one just got back into this hobby fairly recently and barely knew what MQA even was. I purchased a PS Audio DSJr to facilitate streaming music and have been loving the instant selection at hand with my new Tidal subscription. I listened to a few albums that really made my ears perk up and say "damn that sounds better than I ever remember." Turns out, they were MQA files. So while the naysayers love to scream "placebo" and "confirmation bias" I wonder if you aren't suffering from the opposite version of the same biases. I mean, if you want to say MQA is garbage technology, please explain to me how any digital music isn't inherently garbage since it all has to be converted back to analog anyway. I have no dog in this fight, all I know is the MQA albums I listened to sounded better to me *before I even knew they were MQA*

geoffkait13,768 posts01-28-2019 4:12pmActually how a CD sounds depends on many factors, like how much it was compressed during mastering, whether the CD is in correct Polarity, whether the physical disc is out of round, whether it’s been treated, whether it’s been cryo’d. Things of that nature

The same holds true to the design of LP’s, tapes, microprocessor chips, etc, etc!  Ever time there is a major change, folks we’re aga it. Example SACD VS DVD Audio. The reality is every person has a different type of hearing, taste in music, an audio system, so on, and so on. I’ve been around in sales for a long time. Buy what you like and what some may be able to afford. What may sound great to you may sound not so good to others.  In sales, I always say never get caught up in hype because it may cloud your judgement in the long run. There is a saying that goes, “If people were the same, the world would be booting.” Find something that you love and enjoy it. In the end specs goes out of the window. If anyone feels negative to this comment, please don’t. It’s best to be a spunge and respect each and every comment pertaining to music.

There is a saying that goes, “If people were the same, the world would be boring.” 

I played 2L MQA samples from Tidal. It says original file size is 384Khz/24bit. Most MQA is 96Khz/24bit. Hi rate sample music definite is more involving and dynamic. I would say close to SACD disc. I am using Oppo205 MQA hardware decoding. Many android device can decode MQA use software decode.

junzhang10143 posts01-28-2019 6:56pmI played 2L MQA samples from Tidal. It says original file size is 384Khz/24bit. Most MQA is 96Khz/24bit. Hi rate sample music definite is more involving and dynamic. I would say close to SACD disc. I am using Oppo205 MQA hardware decoding. Many android device can decode MQA use software decode.

I agree with you with the comparison either on a very goo SACD Player. Some units are definitely better than others. I would even go as far a Redbook CD’s. One of the best test is the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles. I didn’t like the original recording back in 1967 played on LP’s and all CD formats. To me it was harsh and painful to listen to. I do understand that equipment and sound was completely different back then. When I revisited the album last year, I listed to it in MQA format with a Meridian 218 Controller with Roon and Tidal in 24/96. I was blown away and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The music was smooth and warm. A very tube like sound. The harshness completely disappeared and I was able to truely enjoy the music. Let me know if anyone had that experience with the Meridian 218 controller.