R1200CL wrote: > To me the possibility to stream hi-res is the main advantage with MQA. > You may say that could be done without MQA, but since it's only is going > to be offered via MQA, I'm fine with that. > > I'm more skeptical to the sonic benefits of older 16 bit material that > do not exist in better master than the redbook format. I also understand > that there is at least 3 ways to implement MQA on those recordings. (as > told on 'Audiostream' > (http://www.audiostream.com/comment/511791#comment-511791)) > Then we may also apply if the A/D chip is known. So the SQ may not be > that much better. I may buy an Explorer2 to verify. (Just have to wait > until it actually can decode MQA) > > Those few hi-res I've purchased from HD-Tracks did sound better than CD > to me. So I'm expecting MQA based on hi -res masters to sound better, at > least if you have good enough stereo. So if I get hi-res streaming on > today's subscription, I do welcome MQA. > > There is also something called MQA Studio, which I'm not sure how differ > from normal MQA, but I guess it is related to recordings done by MQA > certified equipment and quality processing. If old recordings can be > remastered to MQA studio is also something I don't know. > > So I would like to understand all the different MQA encoding options > better, and if there is planned a way to tell us which process is used. > At the moment all I know is different lights for MQA and MQA Studio. > This based on the Explorer2 user manual and 'datasheet' > (https://www.meridian-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Explorer2M-ds.pdf). > > > When Tidal start with MQA sometime later this year, we may know more, > but we will not be told anything before that. That is a fact. Like it or > not. > > It surprises me a bit that Hifi journalists don't ask more technical > questions, like those mention. The only good thing they have been able > to discover is, if patient you will at some time get SW MQA, and MQA > must be adjusted to your DAC chip. Default DAC profiles is not allowed. > As we noticed with the Auralic mess. > Still I think these different decoder options should be clarified > better, and also if it is technical possible to implement in equipment > with room correction. > > And why do we not see any interview with the recording companies? > Without their implementation MQA is DOA. > > Well they did start to make TV without 4K content, so maybe MQA has the > same approach :D
Many good points there - some more nuances like what "MQA Studio" means vs. just vanilla "MQA", importance of label participation, generic DAC settings regarding Auralic (disingenuous IMO because if you make the minimum samplerate to 192kHz for the DAC, who cares what the filters look like? Way outside of audible range unless you really had a terrible incompetent DAC!). Ultimately I think all we got here is this: 1. Meridian wows the "audiophile" with a fancy DSP supposedly to lower impulse response graphs. This part is audible as I listened with my ABX. Note that this could have been implemented with any incoming stream as demonstrated with 16/44 "DAT". The reality is that this DSP could be implemented at the studio level if they wanted... 2. The scheme happens to include this "encapsulation" packaging to sell to Internet streamers. Of course the process limits everything to dithered 16-bits. And of course all that information above 22/24kHz is lossy compressed (at best subtle if you believe ultrasonics add something). 3. We as audiophiles lose our "right" to use any DAC we choose if we decide to accept Meridian's scheme and -control-... Ooops, I mean their benevolent "-authentication-" with a friendly and funky lit LED to remind you of the "privilege". :-) I don't know how well Dolby TrueHD is doing in 2016 but I do believe it was losing out to DTS-HD Master Audio on Blu-rays already back in 2012. Archimago's Musings: (archimago.blogspot.com) A 'more objective' audiophile blog. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Archimago's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2207 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=105070 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
