What is the purpose of this setting?
I play through Brinkmann Nyquist and with this setting off or on, the Brinkmann always indicate it’s playing MQA (for MQA content).
I do hear differences in sound quality in MQA and non MQA content between this setting is off or on.
Take a look at this KB article:
The MQA decoder in Roon performs the decode stage, i.e., unfolding 44.1 kHz to 88.2 kHz, 48 kHz to 96 kHz etc.
This is beneficial if the DAC only has the renderer, or you want to apply DSP without breaking MQA signalling (unique to Roon.)
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Thank you.
Do I need to enable MQA decoding when streaming to Brinkmann Nyquist?
Why do hear difference in sound (when the MQA decider is on or off) while playing non MQA content?
I would say, no, you don’t need to enable it, as the Nyquist has it’s own MQA decoder, however, I would set it to your listening preference.
Which one sounds better to you? Try both ways and then decide.
With the MQA decoder enable - the sound is a bit thinner .
I presume it is a matter of taste.
I do not understand why the MQA decoder also influence non MQA content.
In my system there is no change in sound with MQA on or off with a DAC that does not support MQA. So not sure, maybe the Nyquist is doing something? Does this happen on other zones that are not MQA DACs for you? I don’t have an MQA device to try.
The Brinkmann is the only device I use wit Roon.
There would be absolutely no difference if Roon or the Nyquist does the decoding. The advantage of Roon doing this is that you can apply DSP whilst preserving MQA signalling, so the Nyquist can perform the MQA rendering stage.