The 12/18/2018 firmware update added MQA playback:
The 12/18/2018 update will address the following and includes previous updates: 1. Adds support for TIDAL Masters. • To listen to TIDAL Masters, you need to upgrade to a TIDAL HiFi Member. 2. Minor bug fixes and improvements stability. 3. Adds support for MQA file playback.
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From the manual:
To play MQA files on this unit, you can either connect the USB storage device or HDD (*1) containing the MQA files to the USB port of this unit or use the "Music Server" functionality of this unit to play MQA files stored on an NAS or PC. Note that the "Music Server" feature does not support playback of WAV format MQA files. It can play FLAC format MQA files that are provided by music distribution services. Refer to this unit’s instruction manual for playback operations. • To playback MQA-CD, download the MQA-CD music files and use the MQA Tag Renaming Application to manage files*. This application can examine files ripped from CD, determine whether they are MQA and build a subfolder containing correctly formed MQA files. Files that are not MQA remain unchanged. * The link to MQA Tag Renaming Application:
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Remember, MQA is a wrapper for compressing WAV/FLAC files down to use less bandwidth. So, supposedly no difference between original file and MQA sound quality. Only difference is smaller file size. I don't own any MQA files, so can't comment on sound differences. With cheap storage these days, and 1TB internet caps, I don't worry about file sizes.
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The Cocktail X14 only has a small amp in it. Said the guy currently listening to a WADIA 25WPC amp.
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My phone has a 32bit DAC in it. Also, 1TB memory card with 3000 FLAC encoded Albums. It's really great to be able to take your entire collection on vacation or to the Dentist!
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I'm soooooooooo close to pulling the trigger on the M10. Trying to justify the purchase.
The 12/18/2018 update will address the following and includes previous updates: 1. Adds support for TIDAL Masters. • To listen to TIDAL Masters, you need to upgrade to a TIDAL HiFi Member. 2. Minor bug fixes and improvements stability. 3. Adds support for MQA file playback.
---------------
From the manual:
To play MQA files on this unit, you can either connect the USB storage device or HDD (*1) containing the MQA files to the USB port of this unit or use the "Music Server" functionality of this unit to play MQA files stored on an NAS or PC. Note that the "Music Server" feature does not support playback of WAV format MQA files. It can play FLAC format MQA files that are provided by music distribution services. Refer to this unit’s instruction manual for playback operations. • To playback MQA-CD, download the MQA-CD music files and use the MQA Tag Renaming Application to manage files*. This application can examine files ripped from CD, determine whether they are MQA and build a subfolder containing correctly formed MQA files. Files that are not MQA remain unchanged. * The link to MQA Tag Renaming Application:
--------------------------------
Remember, MQA is a wrapper for compressing WAV/FLAC files down to use less bandwidth. So, supposedly no difference between original file and MQA sound quality. Only difference is smaller file size. I don't own any MQA files, so can't comment on sound differences. With cheap storage these days, and 1TB internet caps, I don't worry about file sizes.
-----------
The Cocktail X14 only has a small amp in it. Said the guy currently listening to a WADIA 25WPC amp.
----------------
My phone has a 32bit DAC in it. Also, 1TB memory card with 3000 FLAC encoded Albums. It's really great to be able to take your entire collection on vacation or to the Dentist!
--------------
I'm soooooooooo close to pulling the trigger on the M10. Trying to justify the purchase.