Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music LG V30 with MQA DAC

Has anyone here purchased this phone for its MQA capabilities and if so what has been your experience?

I've just purchased one. Got the 128GB Pro version with B&O headphones Should arrive early next week.

What I've realised though is that you can't stream MQA on the Tidal Android app. Don't suppose anyone has insight to when Android MQA streaming might arrive?

Curious if you can share your findings already?

Chhers!

OK... some early doors findings on my LG v30+.

Firstly, sound quality. I had a pair of Soundmagic E10c's that I decided to upgrade to E80c's (arrived today) to take advantage of the Quad DAC.

Listening to Tidal HIFI with these headphones is quite simply, night and day between any other phone/headphone combo I have previously had. These bad boys come with Comply buds that are memory foam for ultimate sound isolation. Walking around with these things is just a revelation - big smile on my face listening to this today! My one concern is that with the Quad DAC enabled this phone goes LOUD...if I'm not careful I could give myself hearing problems later down the line.

Re: MQA - I have only one track downloaded which I have to use the LG stock player with to get MQA goodness. It's a classical track, and it does sound fab, but I haven't compared to non-MQA versions. To be honest, the upgrade just for FLAC files on TIDAL has been worth the purchase alone of this phone.

Other observations:
LG software sucks. I have been a Nexus enthusiast previous and enjoyed the bloat free, stock Android experience. I have however removed most of the bloatware, and got the Pixel launcher installed on it so it's as close to stock as I can get it. In this mode, the phone is a joy to use. Buttery smooth, and lightning quick.

The camera is pretty awesome too - the wide angle is handy for landscape shots and the standard camera is just fab. Certainly better than my Nexus 6p which was not shoddy at all. It's not up to scratch with the Pixel's but TBH I listen to music more than I take photos on a day to day basis.

The other thing to point out on this phone is that the battery is quite simply, incredible. I can get almost 2 days out of this, and when it comes to charging, the quick charge 3.0 get's me charged up in no time. Sure, it depends on your use but I'm generally pretty heavy user. A lot of YouTube vids, music streaming, constant checking internet/emails/twitter.

You can get the LG v30+ on eBay now for under £600. I got it for £640 and I feel it's a bargain at that price, especially when compared to the S8/Note 8/Pixel 2 and of course, iPhone X.

So there you have it - now I just need Tidal to hurry up and offer MQA android streaming!!

Thank you for the excellent feedback

I've been at MWC (Mobile World Congress) this week, and LG were showing the LG V30s ThinQ. This is the LG smartphone with quad DACs, which support MQA and FLAC. I had a chance to listen to it, and to talk to LG's product manager.

The demo setup had the LG V30s with a pair of Beyerdynamic over-ear headphones. (I don't know the headset model, even after checking the website). There was a selection of music, both FLAC and MQA. The default music for demos seemed to be various rock tracks, but I found the MQA recording of Enrique Bagaria playing the Hayden piano sonatas (No. 31, 33, 47 & 59). I mostly listen to classical music, so for me it is a better way to assess the sound quality. There is a noticeable improvement in quality between the default version and the 384k MQA version with the DACs turned on. I would say that the MQA version had significantly more colour in the sound of the piano strings. I much preferred the MQA version of the track, which sounded much more like listening sitting close to a piano. It has that clean, clear Meridian digital sound. Despite my previous skepticism about MQA, I'm wondering if I need to reconsider.

I also noticed when listening to rock tracks that the maximum volume setting of the V30s (subjectively) was very loud. Since there is no distortion at maximum volume, there is no incentive to turn the volume down. I did wonder about long term damage to hearing.

The four DACs are designed by B&O, and there is a B&O logo on the device. The engineer in me is still trying to work out why you need more than two DACs for processing a stereo signal ... noise cancellation for the mic seems like overkill

Last year at MWC there was only one device capable of HighRes audio and it was a design from a Chinese ODM, not one of the major vendors.

I also spoke to the LG product manger from the UK. He said the V30s sold very well in the Far East, compared to iPhones, as it was good value for money given the features it included, when compared to an iPhone. The UK market is very different, and it sells to people who specifically want the improved audio quality. LG are fine with that, as it is a niche where they are ahead of the other handset vendors.

Fair play.

I think many people took intellectual positions about MQA and forgot to have a listen. It is the latter that matters IMHO.

Quality of sound and access to it of course. There simply has to be a / better way of getting MQA on the go. My two pence!

Would you believe it, but just today Tidal has started MQA playback on the LG V30!

Game changer!

Early observations on Tidal MQA via my LG v30.

First off, there is a clear and definite improvement with MQA tracks over standard "Hifi standard" tracks. I'm not one for describing sonic improvements, suffice to say that to my ears there is much more clarity, rhythm, and all round improvement to the music. For me, this is a game changer. I now have Hifi quality music in the back of my pocket. Given the amount of time I spend with earphones in (commuting, working) to be able to just whip out my phone and stream pretty much most of my favourite tracks in MQA is incredible.

This for me was the holy grail when MQA was first announced - streaming small files at exceptional quality on the go. The next step in my hifi journey is to get SE speakers and then I will have reached my personal Hifi Everest (well, until the next big thing anyway!)