Now that I have had a chance to compare packed and unpacked MQA files I can unhesitatingly confirm that the unpacked files sound better and in many respects significantly better.

The Mozart violin concerto has better focus than when unpacked although I think that it could still be improved. There is also a much enhanced sense of scale and airiness.The Britten demonstrated impressive leading-edge string attack and the pizzicato of the double basses is impressive. The Finzi piece was for me the track that was most improved. The singer is now decisively separated from the piano and sounds very good, even to me though I am not a Finzi fan.

There is good trumpet texture on Gjeilo's "North Country II" which is also present on Hoff Ensemble's "Blagutten", where we can also hear appealing drums and acoustic atmosphere.

The Haydn quartet provides exactly what we want from a quartet performance and recording: the musicians appear distinct but profoundly engaged in musical conversation with one another. For the Vivaldi, the soprano is clear and pure and we can also catch the distinctive timbre of the period instruments.

We would expect piano music to excel as Meridian have their own Steinway against which to test their products. The decay of notes and the resonance of the instrument are ably demonstrated. I am not a Neilson fan but the clarity with which the interaction between the left and right hand are revealed added considerably to the interest of the piece.

Many thanks to 2L for making these tracks available. They must make us all eager to hear more.

[all listening was via USB into an 808v6 (upgraded) and then on to 8kSEs (upgraded).]

Asa Post