Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music MQA How to get the 818v3 to play them?

I'm so sorry to ask, but I've been reading for hours and can't figure out how to play MQA files through my newly upgraded 818v3. Would really appreciate any experienced users to give me a hint if I'm able to and if so with my config, and if so, what I might be doing wrong. M doesn't make this easy!

I have 818v3 in Analog system (non DSP speakers). I am using Sooloos Control App to import 2L MQA sample files downloaded from 2L website onto my Meridian Media Drive 600 and playing streaming (thru ID41). When I play the imported files, the front panel display of the 818v3 shows PCM 44k. So not seeing as MQA files. I also tried using Roon and Roon also shows the files as 44k PCM.

I've been over the Config files and unless I'm missing it I don't see any parameters to change, or maybe I'm just missing it. I saw threads indicating perhaps not there yet with streaming? But I'm not sure I interpreted correctly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

What is your Sooloos core?

No need to apologize though this should probably go in a new thread. Can you confirm your 818v3 has the v4.00 firmware installed?

It does have 4.0

I'm using Meridian Media Drive 600 to store all files, then streaming to the 818v3.

Controlling via Sooloos app for iPad, but also tried playing from Mac (Control:Mac, current build) and also tried Control:PC, current build.

Nothing seems to get the 818v3 (which I confirmed is showing firmware 4.0) to change the front panel to MQA. Also tried setting up a USB source and streaming files via Roon thru USB using most current Meridian 800 USB driver. Interestingly, the front panel doesn't change resolution at all, doesn't matter what file type.

Also, Roon app does show the 2L sample MQA files as MQA either.

It's probably something frustratingly simple... I just don't know what!

Thanks for any help.

Has the 818v3 been correctly typed?

I am mostly using Roon now ... but ... I imported the Ola Gjeilo MQA album Piano Improvisations into Sooloos and ... it played in MQA, displayed MQA.352k on the 818v3 and the DSP8KSE master speaker.

Perhaps if you are indeed running V4 on the 818v3 - first thing, check in Sooloos settings, is Volume Leveling Off ? It has to be bitperfect to "de-origami" the MQA file. I would turn off crossfade, too, for the same reason. This is in the Zones, click on the 818v3 named zone, and update. Hopefully, this is the reason MQA isn't working.

You can also send me your configuration file, and I can eyeball it, if you like.

When you are playing a MQA file what happens when you press the display button on the 818?

Ken

I turned off volume leveling and cross fade. The "type" is variable (even though I use with another preamp, I like having remote volume through the app).

Anyway, one interesting point, the display never goes past 96k PCM. I thought I read that the 818v3 would play 192/24 PCM streaming. Is that correct and then shouldn't I at least see 192 in the display when playing 192 files?

Seems like its downsampling in addition to not recognizing/ decoding MQA.

A couple of addition q's:

In the config file, under general properties, should MHR be yes or no?
Max audio rate- only has 48kHz or 96kHz? I selected 96, but that seems odd that it is limited to 96.

Sooloos plays the MQA file but the 818v3 display shows 44k PCM.

MHR should be yes. When you say Sooloos is playing MQA do you mean the MQA track is playing but you don't think it's decoded MQA?

Ken

Yes. MQA files plays, but display shows 44k PCM