Where do I start?

I’m trying to work out where to start with hardware to listen to lossless audio and MQA. I have Bose QC25 which I believe supports lossless audio not sure if my Bose Soundlink Mini does or not. Does anyone have any suggestions for what hardware I should be looking at?

Hi Mark

Did you mean MQA?

yeah sorry my mistake.

@Marc_Evans Marc, a few thoughts: many of this forum own a Bluesound Node 2, which is a Roon Ready network device that handles most hi-res and MQA files. Just plug an Ethernet cable into the Node 2 and Roon will find it on your network. It has an MQA-enabled DAC so you may allow Roon to do the first unfold in MQA and then set the Node 2 to do the final unfold/rendering through its DAC, using RCA/analog out to your speaker vs digital out. Since your Bose Soundlink Mini does not have RCA inputs, you’d have to get an RCA to mini adapter for your 3.5mm input. You could also use the Node 2 headphone amp to listen to your QC25. (If you need storage and want to rip CDs, you could also consider the Bluesound Vault.) I think the Node 2 is still priced around $499. Another option is the Dragonfly Red, which can connect via your computer’s USB port, which allows you to access MQA files on your headphones or you could connect it to the Mini’s 3.5mm port. Hope that helps.

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That’s awesome thank you @Flashman I think the dragonfly is more within my price range at the moment so will definitely look at that. I already have a USB camera connector for iPhone so this could be a really good option for Hi-Fi audio on the move as well.

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Meridian Explorer v2 for £99? Just a thought, full MQA decode and render with analog out.

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another really good option, thank you.

Thank you all. I decided to go with the Meridian Explorer 2 today as it was the cheaper option. I can not wait to finally hear high resolution audio and MQA

@Marc_Evans To get you started have a look at the csv link on this thread on the Meridianunplugged forum it is a list of most MQA titles available and regularly updated.

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Thank you for this.

You are welcome.

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Hello again. I need to some advice, Roon is now coming up as enhanced with the blue light is this lossless audio? The explorer is showing up as MQA studio.

Don’t worry I’ve sorted it. I googled it and it said it was because of DSP engine, I turned that off and its come up lossless. Also, I’m sold. How on earth was I listening to that poor quality rubbish? :joy:

An expert now :grinning:

haha far from it, definitely looking forward to the possibilities though

So how do I get the higher bitrates now? Apparently the explorer can go to 192 but Im only finding tracks at 44