How many of you believe in MQA?

audiojedi,

I thought if you play a Bluesound Node 2i RCA (analogue out) through a DAC on a receiver or an amplifier that is not MQA certified, it automatically defaults back to 24/88.2 because this is only one MQA unfold.  

If I were to connect the Bluesound Node 2i by way of digital coax to the Chord 2qute, will I be able to unfold MQA completely and be able to operate the Bluesound remotely by way of iPhone, iPad and PC.  If so, I wonder how this would sound.  I hear all of the market hype about MQA and about how great it is to be able to hear music the way it sounded when it was mixed in the studio.  However, maybe it is just hype, as so many audiophiles seem to not be impressed.  If I play play the Bluesound Node 2i through the Pro-Ject S2 DAC I WILL be hearing one MQA unfold, for whatever that is worth.

I would be completely satisfied with being able to hear 24/96.  However, again, I would guess it would be nearly impossible to detect any sound quality difference between 24/88.2 and 24/96.

I have thought about switching from TIDAL to QOBUZ, but QOBUZ just doesn't have much of a library.  For example, TIDAL has 20 albums by Vincent Ingala and QOBUZ has only one.  However, I will most likely switch once QUOBUZ's library is the size of TIDAL.  What TIDAL should do is upgrade their Hi-Fi songs to play 24/96 and 24/192.  They could crush Qobuz if they did this.  

I’ve been far happier with qobuz.  Not too many mqa albums that I listened to.  Hi Res files on Qobuz is a different story.  Michael Jackson sounds really good on Qobuz Hi Res; same with Norah Jones.  I can find quite a bit of edm in Hi Res on Qobuz.  When I type Mozart in Qobuz’ search engine it doesn’t bring up a rapper, like in Tidal.

I prefer the sound of Qobuz over Tidal

I wouldn't say I'm "embracing" MQA, but I don't hate it either.  I think it sounds better than a CD quality file even with a non MQA DAC just letting Tidal's app do the first unfold.  I prefer hi-res files on Qobuz where I don't need a special device to get "all" of the MQA "magic".  I bought a MQA enabled DAC to see if there is a big difference, and there isn't to my ears.  

Your Bluesound will unfold MQA files if you use the analog outs.  I don't understand your statement that you can't control the Bluesound when running the sound through a DAC.  I do exactly that using my phone or tablet on two of my systems - Bluesound Node 2 ----> DAC ----> Preamp.

I’m indifferent on MQA, but I don’t necessarily think it’s fair to judge it based on the output of a Bluesound product, just because the DAC there IMO really isn’t strong enough to get the full benefit of the hi-res music recorded under the MQA.

I’ve got a Powernode 2 (full MQA) and separately a Teac NT-505, also full MQA. The difference between the two is night and day, though granted one is a $2k product and one is $800. The Teac uses dual AK 4497 while the Bluesound uses (and the 2i versions also still use) a dated TI/Burr Brown lower quality DAC chips. Also, the analog output section of the Teac is far superior to the Bluesound.

For further context, I also have an Integra DTM-7 (full MQA), and again, like the Bluesound, it's DAC really isn't strong enough to unlock all of the goodness of Hi-Res via Tidal MQA, even though it's fully certified etc full MQA.

IMO it really doesn't make sense for MQA to be be licensing to lower quality DACs like Bluesound/Integra DTM-7 because the MQA hi-res experience will kinda necessarily be underwhelming with that level of DAC, and it's really nothing to do with MQA.  (But of course not hard to figure out why they license to a high-volume company like Bluesound).

Tidal is my only source for all systems so I can’t really compare it’s hi-res content via MQA versus qobuz or hi-res downloads, fwiw.

All I’m saying is that were Bluesound my only reference for MQA, I’d be very underwhelmed, whereas with the Teac I am floored by the fantastic quality of Masters Tidal via MQA.

Bottom line, anyone looking for pheneomenal MQA/hi-res I'd suggest Teac NT-505 streamer/dac/preamp for $2k it's really really good.   (also not knocking the cheaper products (I own them and like them for their modest cost) just not really suited to hi res MQA IMO).

big_greg,

What I was referring to is the only way I can hear complete unfold using the Pro-Ject S2 DAC is to hook my PC computer to it via USB.  I wish I could understand more how it works because the dealer did not explain it well to me because he does not believe in MQA.

I am going to try using the Bluesound Node 2i hooked up RCA analogue to ARCAM and see how it sounds.  The technical people at Harmon Industries told me the DAC inside the Bluesound is better than the DAC inside my ARCAM AVR550.

I might be better off saving up my money for a DAC that can do the complete MQA unfold and be controlled by an iPhone, iPad or PC.  I think the Pro-Ject RS2 DAC has the ability to do this.  Wonder if anyone has experience with this DAC or if they have any ideas to offer to recommend a DAC that doesn't cost a fortune.

I have not yet opened the Bluesound box and I wonder if I should have gone with the Bel Canto eOne streamer.  Wonder if that has a better DAC than the Bluesound and perhaps that is why that dealer told me to buy that and not the Bluesound.  It retails for $1,600 and I wonder if the increased sell price is worth the money over the $499 Bluesound Node 2I?