Response from Bluesound:
MQA has two different “levels” (they call it unfolds) HALF UNFOLD (Software only - 24/96), and FULL UNFOLD (Software and Hardware - 24/192)
MQA requires communication (ie two way) with the DAC for FULL UNFOLD
If it (MQA) doesn’t know what the DAC is you can only get HALF UNFOLD (software only)
Via digital (Optical or COAX) there is no two way communication so you can only get HALF UNFOLD as the BluOS software will unfold the first half, but doesn’t know what DAC is connected
You can turn off the BluOS (software) unfold via the app for zero unfolding, and pass the raw data to the DAC - This the best option if you have an MQA certified DAC, this will let the DAC do all the work, otherwise you’ll only get the first half
If you do not have an MQA DAC, you should use the Analogue outputs…. at least for MQA, but since the NODE outputs both digital and analogue at the same time you can use a non-MQA DAC for everything except MQA content (if you want and the DAC is good enough to keep it in the system)
SO…
Analogue out = FULL MQA
Digital Out
Non MQA DAC = HALF MQA via digital
MQA DAC = FULL MQA (if you turn of the BluOS first unfold)