The narcissism in many listeners here is disappointing
I’m a full time, credential, music Mastering Engineer. MQA is an intrusion on artist approved work to make ex Meridan DVD staff money and it’s running a 50 million GBP debt per the last public filing I read.
It’s not a lossless process. It’s not an upgrade as there is no upgrade over the sample rate of any mastering session. If it “sounds better” to you that’s fine. But that’s because the subtle harmonic distortions of the codec float your subjective boat. A cable or speaker alter sound subjectively and so does MQA. To me however, it’s ruining my work, the client approved work. It’s a travesty built on greed and lies.
Background concepts :
192 is not inherently superior to 96 is not superior to 44.1. This is a marketing myth. AD or DA is clock, chip, analog parts and filter. Sample rate is not the primary factor in quality. And engineers adjust each session for the subjectively best result given the audio chain.
MQA at a base rate of 44.1 or 48 is also not superior to the source rate if in fact it was above those rates. It’s not possible to upgrade mastered PCM. Anything that alters is going backwards. Else we would have done it in mastering. Modern PCM DA can be amazing. I use Bricasti M1 SE. with many other great options out there to suit your taste.
MQA is CERTAINLY NOT mastering engineer authenticated, their calling card is a sham, as they are bulk processing back catalogues to create a market. That should be all you need to know if you’re a person of principle.
It’s bad form all around. Get the native sample rate file of the mastering session and focus on your room.
Most audiophiles have playback rooms rooms that are by far the weakest link in their chain. By far.
I’m a full time, credential, music Mastering Engineer. MQA is an intrusion on artist approved work to make ex Meridan DVD staff money and it’s running a 50 million GBP debt per the last public filing I read.
It’s not a lossless process. It’s not an upgrade as there is no upgrade over the sample rate of any mastering session. If it “sounds better” to you that’s fine. But that’s because the subtle harmonic distortions of the codec float your subjective boat. A cable or speaker alter sound subjectively and so does MQA. To me however, it’s ruining my work, the client approved work. It’s a travesty built on greed and lies.
Background concepts :
192 is not inherently superior to 96 is not superior to 44.1. This is a marketing myth. AD or DA is clock, chip, analog parts and filter. Sample rate is not the primary factor in quality. And engineers adjust each session for the subjectively best result given the audio chain.
MQA at a base rate of 44.1 or 48 is also not superior to the source rate if in fact it was above those rates. It’s not possible to upgrade mastered PCM. Anything that alters is going backwards. Else we would have done it in mastering. Modern PCM DA can be amazing. I use Bricasti M1 SE. with many other great options out there to suit your taste.
MQA is CERTAINLY NOT mastering engineer authenticated, their calling card is a sham, as they are bulk processing back catalogues to create a market. That should be all you need to know if you’re a person of principle.
It’s bad form all around. Get the native sample rate file of the mastering session and focus on your room.
Most audiophiles have playback rooms rooms that are by far the weakest link in their chain. By far.