MQA DAC with Coax Output
The LUMIN D2 has an internal DAC, pretty similar functionally to the Arcam ST60. I don’t think the D2 has a USB Audio output for attaching an external MQA DAC, but they routinely update their operating system so it might. I own the LUMIN D1 with external linear power supply, and it is an excellent device. I just like my Aurender better! :-) |
Rockrider, Nice. I wish I had the money lol. Oh just right now I am streaming this Tidal music from my PC to the CXN. Can you look at the screen shot. https://ibb.co/MZ4LH5g Does it mean, I am playing at 24bit/192khz through room to my CXN ? |
I suspect that is Roon telling you what the Authenticated MQA decoded resolution would be, if your DAC could do it. But I’m not a Roon expert. The base MQA file is 24bit/48khz, so that’s likely what you are hearing. By the way, if you are using Roon, forget Aurender. Aurender has chosen not to be Roon compatible. |
Rockrider, This app I downloaded from google app called "MCONNECT". I use it to stream Qobuz hi res file and it will show the MQA unfold sampling rate as 24bit/192khz LOL. https://ibb.co/jRn93X4 http://www.conversdigital.com/eng/product/product04.php Depends on the master quality. Usually 24/48 or 24/96 But this one from Diana Krall, show highest sampling. |
@zombiedad that picture means Roon took care of the first unfold for you, but the DAC is not applying the MQA digital filter. An MQA file consists of two parts. First, the higher res file is “folded” or “packed” down into 48khz. Second, information is encoded into the file that tells the DAC how to apply the D to A conversion. Roon is doing the first step, unpacking or unfolding the 48khz file back into the higher res 192khz file and sending that to your DAC. At that point your DAC applies its own D to A conversion since it’s not capable of decoding the MQA data. There are more complex details than that but that’s the gist of what you probably need to know. Long and short, you get a 192kHz file while only consuming the bandwidth of a 48kHz file. |
