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Pontus ii and Hi Res

A bit new to streaming so apologies for a naive question. I’m streaming Tidal from a Bluesound Node into a new Denafrips Pontus ii via optical cable. Regardless of resolution (hi res or MQA), the DAC stays on 44.1 kHz x 1 multiplier. I tried setting the streamer audio to “MQA to external DAC”, but no difference. Also no difference toggling between OS and NOS  

What am I missing? If the Pontus can’t unfold MQA or resolve anything above 44.1 (x1)  is there any reason to keep Tidal’s highest res service?  The DAC should certainly recognize higher res files...no?

Appreciate any ideas. 

chocaholic
vthokie83
843 posts
 

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.

chocaholic OP
201 posts
 

@vthokie83 That sounds like good advice. Qobuz is the one piece of the puzzle I haven’t tried. Will do. 
 

BTW…disconnected my Node from the Pontus and ran the analogue outputs to my amp (PrimaLuna HP Int) and you are correct…it sounds considerably better through the Pontus. 

tcotruvo's avatar
tcotruvo
179 posts
 

I have a Node 3 and added an SMSL M400 DAC with MQA. I believe it is an improvement in sound quality over the streamers DAC. I can do a direct A-B comparison of a recoding in MQA and CD Quality playing on Radio Paradise. I have not been able to distinguish a difference between them.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,627 posts
 

@chocaholic 

I have the same setup, but the Pontus ll doesn’t do MQA. If you want MQA, you need to run if from the node to you integrated amp or preamp.

surfmuz
399 posts
 

Pontus is not MQA capable DAC. If you want fully unfold MQA you need MQA enabled DAC or use onboard Node DAC. Optimal solution is to switch to Qobus and forget about High res limitations forever. 

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