At the time they did the Tidal MQA test streaming I think they used a HTC phone as well to show a proof of concept. (Others will correct me here) you can buy a pioneer personal music player with MQA decoding now. Here
The whole point is to make MQA ubiquitous over time but you will always get the best sound at the high end as you do today.
And a great product it is, whether you listen to MQA or not.
Though I agree about DSD playback requires a DSD capable DAC, DSD has been available for many years now, most DACs are based on multi sigma-delta design which is essentially a 1-bit converter. This makes it easier to implement DSD. It is royalty free. Due to less aggressive digital filtering, some manufacturers implement PCM to DSD on the fly or use HQPlayer together with Roon to achieve the same results.
On the other hand, MQA required a special decoder built-in and must be certified. This is obviously not going to be royalty free, hardware manufacturers need to pay a fee which added up the cost of the devices. Many DACs available today are both PCM and DSD capable and those who have already invested substantial amount are unlikely to switch or upgrade. Having another third format, so late just complicated things further. Considered that many have already sizable collections of PCM and even DSD, many may not consider buying the same albums again. Until when software decoding becomes a norm and streaming services like Tidal and others embrace it, it is going to be nich market or will slowly die off eventually.
Itās only quite recently that more than a few DACs have been doing DSD. There is a cost in doing both no doubt.
Even PSAudio who are not MQA fans have stated that the license fee is minimal and a non issue in their decision to offer it or not.
I just donāt understand the beef here. Software decoding may well come but it has to be properly linked to the DAC to ensure the best experience. Itās that a good thing? If software decoding is released and not used properly with DACs then you could be getting a degraded experience which I think many would companion about. Certainly PSAudio thinks MQA makes their DAC sound worse.
This is one reason that MQA may be able to be implemented with Roon and with Roon certified DACs.
To me MQA ensuring you get the best quality integration with your DAC is a good thing.
This does indeed make thinks more challenging commercially and Iām sure the MQA team is well aware of that but is the price to pay for a quality product.
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Not quite true, I have mine for 3 years back and does DSD up to 128. May be the newer ones can do DSD256 and above some even have built-in PCM to DSD on the fly.
I believe why software decoding took so long was the complexity of profiling the difference type of DACs in the market. One has to consider, there are some still using SPDIF and other form of connections which make it even more difficult or impossible to use.
Another thing to consider is the implementation of other type of DSP functions that is already in Roon, including the add-on HQPlayer that may effect the integrity of the encoded files - correct me if Iām wrong here. At the moment, buying a MQA DAC is still the best option. The tight integration of the decoder and DAC make it ideal choice.
Itās interesting how some people are always looking at problems and what canāt be done whilst others are looking more positive for solutions and what can and should be done.
With the negative view taken to extreme we would all still be living in caves but thank god people out there are looking to progress, overcome problems and take risks to make progress.
This would all make for interesting discussion if the discussion was based on solutions and not just writing off MQA as DOA with clear evidence as to why based on no real knowledge and just opinions and prejudice, as I see it.
It is my belief that the development team behind MQA are fully aware of the task they are taking on to create a paradigm shift in the audio world. They also have the respect of all the movers and shakers in the industry even if they are not on board yet, as everyone has their opinion and objectives.
A less polarised discussion would be far more enjoyable.
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Exactly three years is relatively recently in the history for D AC s. DSP and how if can fit in with MQA was discussed here already. Any more rocks?
Well, 3 years ago to me is considered long enoughā¦ I didnāt heard it was comingā¦but have already playing back hi-res PCM and DSD on JRiver. When Roon and Tidal came along, it just makes everything perfect for meā:smiley:
!
Thereās still a lot we donāt know but I guessed we just have to wait and see how it turns out. No offence folks!
Agreed - have a SACD / DVD-A player with pre and power musical fidelity amp that just sits in one on my rooms gathering dust with shelf space of HI- Res CDs - as I use the roon/ NAS/ tidal with my Devialet more frequently - I am actually very interested in trying the MQA technology (yes maybe another DAC unless Devailet does an upgrade) and donāt mind another MQA version of āKind of Blueā - if it streams on Tidal the convenience and pleasure of listening will be a big step to what we had access to say only 5 years ago - for example my kids now appreciate hi-fidelity - I am looking forward to seeing how this plays out!
Donāt buy them
You have said this a few times and you just do not know that to be true. My understanding from early discussion at the launch of MQA were quite different and for all the reasons you have suggested.
Check out under āDecodersā and will see what I mean.
I was at the launch event at The Shard and had many very interesting conversations which relate specifically to what I mention aboveā¦if you see what I mean 
Just bought Buena Vista Social Club in MQA remaster,
It sounds better than Cd and better than the 24Bit/96KHz HDtracks download.
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I also have the 24/96 DVD-A of this. I am curious to get the MQA as wellā¦
Was that with an MQA decoder, or undecoded?
Where did you buy it?
played back through a proper MQA decoder, it unfolds to 24/96 ā¦ without a MQA decoder, plays back as 24/48 .
Clear.
632MB (MQA) vs 1174MB (FLAC 96/24).
First listen back-to-back (unfolded MQA) does does reveal exciting differences.
It will be interesting to see if perception changes over time.