Pontus ii and Hi Res

I think rockrider and dinosore are going in the correct direction.....I however only use Qobuz, so I can't confirm. My equipment Node 130 USB to Denafrrips Iris DDC, I2S to Pontus II DAC. Here is an excerpt I found:

"The way MQA describes their content is as origami with 3 folds. These folds consist of the decoding and rendering which when fully rendered will output 24-bit/192KHz audio. When streaming MQA through the Node 2i, the BluOS app will handle the first decoding stage which will process the MQA file to 24-bit/96KHz audio. The next 2 rendering steps are then handled by the internal DAC of the Node 2i which will then allow 24-bit/192KHz audio. 

When using coaxial or optical cable from your Node 2i, you are bypassing the internal DAC of the player which is resulting in only the decoding stage occurring and only outputting 24-bit/96KHz audio. To get full 24-bit/192KHz audio you will need to use the analog RCA outputs of the Node 2i to have the internal DAC of the Node 2i process these 2 rendering stages and output fully unfolded MQA".

Good luck

@rockrider Yes, I turned that off. Just spent the last hour+ directly comparing Spotify set on its highest resolution to Tidal Hifi+. Opera, jazz and classical. Back and forth between the two with the same exact recordings on each. Guys…maybe it’s my tin ears but when normalized for volume, the SQ and image difference was negligible at best. That’s either a testament to the work of this DAC, my room or again…my (in)ability to detect a difference. Gene Ammons tenor on My Romance gave chills regardless of which streaming service I played it on.

I paid Tidal for a month so will continue to play with it for a bit before deciding whether or not to keep it. Thanks all for the comments and advice. Oh, and yes @fuzztone , I can Google with the best!  

@vthokie83 If I’m understanding correctly, it sounds like I should have stuck with the streamer’s DAC and not sprung for the Pontus since most of our listening is via the streamer.

Bottom line…the SQ is amazing either way…quite happy via either service. Perhaps I’ll quit overthinking this and just enjoy the music. Bela Fleck’s “Sex in a pan” is on now and just stunning. Check it out. 

I use an ultraRendu to my Pontus II through Roon or Qobuz and it goes higher than CD level resolution for sure

chocaholic,

That wouldn't be my choice, I'd switch to Qobuz and keep what you have in place. The Node will pass up to 24/192 via USB

The DAC in the Node is fine, and much improved in the Node 130, but NOWHERE near the quality of the Pontus II and even moreso with the Iris DDC in place.