Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music MQA listening impressions (with a MQA decoder)

Very few people have had the opportunity to compare an original Hi-Res file and then directly listen to the 'MQA version' of that file... as those in the TAS link above have done.

From what we are 'READING' so far, it does seem we are about to get our cake... and eat it

I'm waiting to be able to have a similar demo... but with production firmware on SE speakers and production spec 818v3 (to eradicate the variables).

Then I'll let my ears decide where I go from there... not what anyone else thinks (be that positive or Negative).

From the MQA demo that I have attended, I was pretty much sold within 3 seconds anyway... but it's always good to get a second opinion... especially with the costs involved.

Can't wait to hear 'Brothers in arms' in MQA. How much better can that sound?

Okay, quick answer on the MQA "analysis" done by Jussi and posted on CA.

I don't understand most of what they are talking about. However, I think there is massive scope for applying the existing paradigm to MQA and arriving at the wrong conclusions.

However, I am not in a position to rebut what has been posted.

The observation by mansr at 01-13-2016 07:43 PM is interesting (and not unexpected)
"With the Nielsen sample it seems like they removed the modulator noise and replaced it with their own." This could be the pre-apodizing or part of the ADC correction.

Altus,

Thanks for the detailed reply which is very precise and helpful.

I have heard decoded MQA via headphones at the Bristol Show last year and via 8kSE at Sevenoaks Bristol the same day. This persuaded me to place an immediate order to upgrade my 808 and this will be carried out as soon as the new firmware is available.

It cannot happen a moment too soon as far as I am concerned.

Yes, I would have thought some of those comments were actionable. And I am also impressed that Robert Harley was able to keep his cool in the face of such provocation.

You recon MQA works like lens correction... can correct purple fringing and some other artefacts of any picture, providing you know the lens and maybe the camera used?


If you want to use it or care about purple fringing you pay for the filter?

Stereophile MQA Listening Session

An excellent MQA listening session with comments from those attending.

Some very "Ugly" comments I think he is"quackers".

Despite his name there is not much chance that he will turn into a swan, but I do expect more fiction.

Hector

Anybody with something to report, now that the MQA firmware is out?

I have just the one file to report on - 'Suite for violin and piano 4.sats' from 2L's sampler.

The MQA version is far more pleasant to listen to with better defined notes and soundstage. Now just need to buy and listen to a few more.

T

A real pleasure:

Reference
Macbook Pro
Roon
Prime + PS
Sennheiser 800

Music
Schubert String Quartet 804 - Allego ma non troppo - interplay between the musicians is crystal clear, plucked strings are wonderful.

Bartok Divertimento Sz. 113 - Molto adagio - beautiful, spacious bass, gorgeous body sounds from the strings - completely engaging - never heard a recording of this work sound so compelling.

Preliminary side note: I generally didn't like the Prime's analog processing modes before. Based on this admittedly small sample size, the modes can sound great!

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NOTE 2:

Interesting what a big difference MQA appears to make. On Britten's "Boisterous Bouree" from his Simple Symphony, the musician's attack is much more visceral.

WOW!

MQA through 818v3 and DSP800SE playing Iver Kleive Orgelmussikken fra deUSYNLIGE. the sound is phenominal. Organ music, very nice revording. Low bass notes are impressive. Interesting that only the master speaker displays MQA and the slave does not. Looking forward to other more familiar material.

Hi Bruce,

At CES last year when I first heard MQA in the M suite the master speaker displayed what it was receiving from the 818 and the slave displayed the typical volume level. I was told then that it would probably stay that way at launch.

Ken