Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Bluesound Node2i and MQA to DSP speakers?

So I have tried to use a Bluesound Node 2i and the BluOs app to play MQA from Tidal directly to the digital coax port on the speakers.
BluOs doesn't hide the MQA files stored at Tidal.
I do get it to work by letting the BluOs app do the first unfold (OFs on the display) but as soon as I set it to expect an "MQA external DAC" it starts sending normal PCM.
If I connect my Mytek Liberty II DAC it works fine, it detects MQA proerly in both cases.

Anybody know if there's some kind of handshake going on and the DSP speakers don't match what the Node 2i expects?

DSP speakers are only able to render not decode
So when you set to expect external decoder the speaker cannot decode. It therefore processes the signal as FLAC.

…unless you own DSP5200SE’s and above.

Sorry but that must be a misunderstanding. No DSP speakers have ever been able to decode MQA. They are only able to render. Applies to .2, Se, XE etc.

Apologies; it’s the 218/210 that first decodes and then SE DSP’s renders MQA. Correct?

Yup.

Well that explains it.
The good news is there's still a way to play MQA.

I think you just need to tell it that your "DAC" is only a renderer, even if you have to fake what the device is.

VirusKiller,

Yes it works if I turn off the "MQA external DAC" and play an MQA file. It then unfolds the MQA and I get "OFs" on the speaker display.

What I don't understand though is why it shows "MQA" if I use the 210 and not "OFs" as it does with the BlueSound. What is the difference?

The 210 is telling the DSP speakers over comms that IT has Decoded and Authenticated the MQA file.
So the DSP know that this is an Authentic and unaltered MQA and state as such on their display.

Because the Bluesound isn't a Meridian product, it can't communicate over comms with the DSP.
They do receive a file which looks like a decoded MQA so they render it.
However they're not sure that the file is Unaltered or Authentic, so don't flag it as an 'MQA' but 'OFS'

Rick

Yes, it is good news indeed. I am also using a Node with my 818v3 to get MQA from Tidal and posted this on another thread here.

Hi,

I have a 210, 7200SE and Distributor 1. Latter I acquired off eBay as a punt.

Could I get a BlueSound Node and take digital out from that to Distributor, via coax, then Distributor to 7200SE via SpeakerLink.

Will I then get 24 192 from Tidal to my 7200SE via the BlueSound app. Then I don’t need 210 or Roon anymore. Which I could save / sell to fund BlueSound.
Then, in the short term compare FLAC 96 from Roon with BlueSound Node, as the 210 could go to the SpeakerLink input on the Distributor.

I think the Distributor is powered by SpeakerLink from 7200SE. Is it turning the BlueSound Node into a pseudo Meridian product? Not quite a 210 but close. Not bothered about the authentication light.

Thoughts appreciated, has anyone tried?

Will reach out to my dealer also.

Kevin