Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music MQA - compatible with Trifield?

As per the heading, any idea if MQA will be compatible with Trifield?
I'm debating whether to change my system around and loose my Meridian Home Theatre function and upgrade the two channel side. If MQA doesn't benefit from Trifield that will be another reason to change.

I don't see why it wouldn't be supported at some stage.

Looking on '2L The Nordic Sound' website they have a '5.1 Surround 24 Bit/96Khz ' that has a file size of 215Mb.

The same file in 'Stereo 24 Bit/352.8Khz'...which can somehow be piped through to SE speakers via 818v3, has a file size of 410Mb.

There does seem enough processing power for it to be done... purely looking at the numbers... someone more technical minded may be able to add to this?

I believe the reality is that we don't know.

To decode MQA there's two potential scenarios:

1 - Add a DAC like an Explorer2, which can decode MQA locally and then output analogue. Probably fair to assume that Meridian will add a number of additional kit that can achieve this, though whether that'll extend to including the 861v4 or older speakers is unlikely.

2 - Enable the ability of software decoding, such that say Roon could decode the MQA element and output 24/96 PCM to your 861v4. That's my hope and definitely my preferred option. As of today, no one has confirmed that this will be possible. I have asked on these forums regarding that capability. If Meridian refuse to allow this type of solution, I'll simply ignore MQA.

Geoff:

1. In principle, yes.

2. With current Meridian kit, not at the highest MQA resolution. As posted in another thread, my 818v3 decodes MQA and outputs 2x rate MHR to my 861v4 (which then does a whole load of DSP, including room correction, channel time alignment, and DSP presets).

This has been hinted at earlier. When the 861v9 comes it will handle Trifield with MQA. What we also hope is that it will be able to do multichannel hires of todays relevant MCH formats. Namely DSD256, DXD and hopefully Multichannel MQA.

Oh damn, I was rather hoping that it would be an emphatic no. It would make my decision making so much easier.

Intriguing. I hadn't thought about feeding the 861v4 from an 818. More research needed!
I think I need to start a new thread.

There is NO 861v9 necessary. As M have upgradeable products, promised and sold on that marketing since decades, simply a new digital card could do that, otherwise the upgradeable path can be burried...

Every discussion/speculation on a 861v9 just feeds the reason not to design simply a new card and give the "permission" to sell the old cloth - 861v8 (except the new output card) under a new name 861v9.

Hopefully not...