In a Meridian system, what "decoding MQA and transmitting the result as MHR" means is a very complex question.

The 818v3 "decodes" MQA and transfers the result to the SE speakers over MHR, and the speakers show 352 or whatever as the input rate.

BUT we know that stereo 352 cannot natively be sent down a single SPDIF/AES cable.

So what exactly is the 818 sending to the SE speakers? It must in fact still be packed (or "folded") in rather a high-tech way, to fit down the SL cable.

This then begs the question: what will come out of the SPDIF outputs of the Auralic device? Surely not 352! Not possible. So there is immediately a limitation there which the Meridian equipment doesn't have.

(Presumably any other firm's equipment which is a closed system of MQA In/Analogue Out, can also work to full 352 level, because SPDIF/AES doesn't come into it. I note that the sample decoder board the MQA has developed appears to have only analogue outputs.)

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