Tidal Masters MQA album identification via Lumin app

Audio Gear Talk Lumin
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With Lumin app version 6.0.7 - the MQA logo is now shown on the cover art of the Tidal Masters albums. I believe Lumin is one of the very first Tidal partner companies to get this MQA identification feature integrated and released.

(Lumin is currently working on integrating MQA Full Decoding functionality into its players S1 / A1 / T1 / D1.)

Status of Roon for this functionality:

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Peter,

I noticed that with the Lumin app TIDAL Masters (MQA tracks) now show as a separate category which really makes it easy to identify & play TIDAL MQA titles. All of them Iā€™ve tried so far play as 48k/24 bit so thereā€™s no MQA decoding (unfolding) taking place, but they do sound slightly better than TIDAL Redbook CD files. Youā€™re message last week indicates that Lumin is working on integrating MQA Full Decoding functionality. This will be music to Lumin ownersā€™ ears.

Are the plans to allow Lumin MQA Decoding integration with just the Lumin app are also with Roon?

Thanks as always,
Brian ā€¦

3

Thanks for the feedback about undecoded MQA - if you find that they sound slightly better than Tidal lossless CD streaming, then after MQA Full Decoding itā€™ll sound even better.

Yes, it is our plan to have Full MQA Decoding using any kind of playback method - Lumin app, Roon, and all other supported playback methods including but not limited to Linn Kazoo (include Tidal MQA, but you canā€™t identify MQA album using Linn Kazoo app - you need Lumin app for that), Bubble DS Next, JRiver (MQA file only), etc.

4

Peter,

Full Decoding of MQA, WOW! Will the Lumin be able to decode all the way up to 352kHz/24 bit (assuming the source is that high)? Will the Lumin also be able to indicate Studio Authentication?

Thx,
Brian ā€¦

5

Lumin will be able to Full Decode MQA 24/352. Authentication is a basic requirement for all certified MQA decoders. It will display MQA or MQA Studio, just like other MQA DAC shows green or blue light.

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Peter,

This is terrific news. . Iā€™ve never had an equipment manufacturer protect my investmest like Lumin does. Iā€™m glad that Iā€™m a Lumin owner.

Brian ā€¦

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Peter,

I plan on taking my S1 to a friendā€™s home tonight so we can listen to the S1 compared to the new Ayre QX-5 network player. I copied a bunch of songs to a USB drive to make it easy to listen to music so we donā€™t have to take the Synology NAS with me and set it up.

Boy do I feel stupid, where in the Lumin app do I tell the S1 to point to the USB drive as the source of music?

Thanks,
Brian ā€¦

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In Lumin app settings, please choose the Music Library:

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Peter,

Any updated news about the Lumin S1 fully decoding MQA?

Thx,
Brian ā€¦

10

Unfortunately, it is not progressing as fast as we hoped.

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Lumin is demoing S1 playing MQA at Munich, after receiving blessing from MQA Ltd. for S1 audio quality for MQA playback.

More work needs to be done before the firmware can be released in public.

12

Terrific news Peter. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Brian ā€¦

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Does Lumin T1 or D1 fully decodes MQA when used through Roon controller / app?

Thanks @wklie Peter!

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Yes, it does.

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@wklie, When using Lumin streamer as endpoint (Roon Ready), Roon will take over the entire process, including decoding and DSP. If I understand correctly decoding must happen in Roon (software) not in Lumin hardware. Unless Lumin app is used, then all process will happen in Lumin itself.

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So does Lumin decode MQA when used through Roon app or not?

You make it confusing.

According to the link @wklie provided, when a Lumin is used via analog out directly to Amp, full MQA decoding is done, even when used via Roon app?

No?

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Iā€™ve to wait for his reply. I understand when a device is used as Roon Ready, such as endpoint, Roon will take over all the processing. Not sure thereā€™s a ā€˜provisional processingā€™ Lumin is taking about.

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Roon sends bit-perfect undecoded MQA (via RAAT) to Lumin for Full Decoding. For this to work Roon DSP Engine has to be disabled.

Lumin MQA decoding should work with all its supported apps - Lumin app, Roon, JRiver, etc.

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19

A few more words about processing. With DSP Engine disabled, Roon does not need to process the music file (other than decompressing FLAC / Apple Lossless to PCM) for playback, leaving the MQA decoding completely to Lumin.

When Roon adds MQA Core decoding in the future, additional options may become available and this subject will need to be revisited.

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Thanks @wklie ! it is clear now. Canā€™t wait for my T1 to arrive.

Any suggestion for a pass through, fully analog preamp just for volume control?