AFAIK, encryption is not a part or MQA. If it was then I think that it would be the least of our worries: the studios would still be hung up on DRM. That they are not suggests to me that they accept that the MQA files will end up on the web; which is somewhat surprising, unless the big studios are planning to allow streaming of MQA *only* and there are technical safeguards (such as TIDAL only being securely streamable to known reputable providers). However, I don't think that this would be enforceable, and the studios are simply relying on the income from "HiRes" streaming subscriptions from the "honest" segment of the target audience.

As far as MHR is concerned, encryption was indeed the headline feature; however it was always more than that. Not so long ago I was talking to RIchard Hollinshead and he felt it was a shame that the *audio* benefits of MHR (eliminating correlated jitter in coaxial SPDIF transfer) never really got the press they deserved.

Roon Developer and ex-moderator of this Forum
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