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How many of you believe in MQA?

I have recently purchased a Bluesound Node 2i.  The dealer suggested I connect the Bluesound by way of digital coax to a Pro-Ject S2 DAC by way of RCA anologue to my ARCAM AVR550.  However, I found out I will not be able to control my Bluesound with an iPhone, iPad or PC notebook.  The only way to hear MQA completely unfolded is to plug in a computer USB.  This would mean I would have to get up from where I am sitting, go to the computer to change songs and albums.  I believe the Pro-Ject RS2 DAC would work, but not sure what the sales price is or if this is a good option.

The dealer asked me why I wanted to even bother listening to MQA completely unfolded when the DAC sounded better than the DAC inside the Bluesound.  He thinks MQA is way over rated and it may not be around a year from now.  If I hook things up with the Pro-Ject S2 DAC I will be able to hear one unfold which would be at 24 bit/88.2 kHz.  If I do this, I will be giving up the opportunity to hear MQA recordings recorded at 24 bit/96 kHz or 24 bit/192 kHz.  

How many of you are enbracing MQA?  
128x128larry5729
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I cancelled Tidal as a result of my disillusionment with MQA.  Opted for Qobuz hi-res.  MQA just isn't sonically pleasing to my ears.
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larry5729's avatar
larry5729 OP
1,008 posts
 
Thanks everyone.  I had hoped to hear 24/192, but probably would not detect much of a difference between that and 24/88.2 anyway.  When playing the Bluesound through RCA, it sounded harsher than through through the DAC.  Bass sounded more boomy and cymbals  with less detail. However, what would the Bluesound sound through a more expensive DAC that can be controlled remotely controlled by my iPone or PC.  Perhaps, you might know of an affordable option.  

Maybe the Pro-Ject RS2 would be a good option.  Be worth saving up for because I am not about to connect my PC to DAC and get up every time to change a song.

i feel like Elizabeth too.

i would still like to hear MQA played through a nice DAC.  Developer of MQA figured out how to make a buck from multiple income streams.

Thanks again everyone!

erik_squires
16,127 posts
 
If you want to hear genuine hi rez sources, plenty of online stores for you like HD Tracks.

You asked about MQA though, which is a different story.
audiojedi
225 posts
 
I've done the A/B twice with MQA - once with my Node 2 analog out vs Chord 2qute and once with a Node 2i analog out vs Schitt Yggdrasil and the outboard DAC easily won both times playing at 24/96.

It's an easy A/B to set up see what your ears like.  Depending on the DAC and cabling you may even prefer the sound of the Node 2i which is quite capable on its own.
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