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

Thanks Asa for your response. The distances that you gave gives a type of base line that some of us can possibly use to get possibly better results. I know now that I will be able to fall within those distances and will be able to get good results with some tweaking, as I know everyone's rooms are different. I am planning my soon upgrades so I will be able to at least have a good starting point.

This is going to depend entirely on the headphones being used.

If you have a pair of Stax then the difference is going to be pretty apparent, my Grado's also do a very good job at digging out fine details and I noticed a marked difference on some material, most noticeably on piano segments which made each note sound more natural and tight with less ringing which I find fatiguing on other material.

Ultimately I think the difference between the non MQA file and the MQA version is going to depend heavily on the quality of the production and the equipment in use.

I think older recordings are really going to come alive.

T

Through my Explorer 2 and Mac with Shure SE846 headphones there's definitely a difference.

Would I stop listening to anything else once I've heard it ? Of course not, but even with my cloth ears I can pick it up

+1 to that.

I have done a lot of listening via both KEF M500 and Stax 009 and the differences are readily apparent through either earpseaker!Sweeter and more differentiated, less digital edge, better representation of percussive and melodic and harmonic elements of piano, and of acoustic of recording; above all more engaging through greater closeness to the musical intent and musicianship of the performers. This readily apparent on 44 and 96. Very close on 192. Similar findings via Martin Logan electrostatics.

Julie Fowlis track from Onkyo is impeccable

I will be interested to hear comparisons from other recording studios.

BTW Pure Music needs Explorer2 set as up to 192 and 24 bit in Audio Midi Setup, on Mac.

Found a new favorite in the 2L catalog - BNB - Ein song frå dei utsungne stunner.

Great recording - some kind of jazz, folk, classic. The Trio is - Berit Opheim with her beautiful female voice, Nils Økland plays various violins/violas and Bjorn Kjellemyr is a very good double bass player.

With this music is great to hear - how locatable and transparent the instruments are, the dynamics and clarity is stunning and the tonal range of double bass, voice and violin is awesome for enjoying and testing this MQA album.

enjoy it

stefan

I have seen that my post from last Saturday is no longer here - server problems ?!

Since last week, I can now listen to the 818v3 and DSP8000USE MQA.

This step is a milestone in my audiophile history! I have - since listening experiences exceed my tonal highlights at perfectly recorded LP's on several high-profile analogue and digital high-end systems. This clarity, positioning of the instruments and voices and presence is phenomenal. A tremendous dynamism and naturalness that has totally met me at the weekend for a long time.

I dislike looking for effusive words like wine connoisseurs with its "Wine poetry", but when I hear a conserved music recording which touched me so deeply and makes me real happy - that is an intense emotional experience.

Again and again I thought - "Now I invest more money in my Meridian system - I'm actually crazy!" (My M-system does not reflect my income or my assets - but my passion for music and their quality play) Short - I do not regret my past M-Investments. MQA does not promise too much.

Highlights of my recent MQA-listening experiences are Magnificat Arnesen with Nidarosdomens Jentekor, Trondheim Soloist, Spes - Cantus, Frode Fjellheim & Tove Ramlo-Ystad and because otherwise I preferred Jazz listen to like from the 2L catalog Hoff Ensemble - Quiet Winter Night - on acoustic jazz project. And as mentioned in the last post, my favorite album so far BNB - A song frå dei utsungne stunner

- ... I'm waiting for the entire music catalog (especially jazz) on TIDAL in MQA !!!

Best regards
stefan

+1. Magnificat at 352k was stunning.

Interesting re BNB album! Cant find it on 2L, can you help with a link, Stefan

Thanks ... can't get it at all on 2L so exact page link would be handy!!


Bruce

2L.no/shop - go to - Releases - by Genre - page 6 Jazz - first Album is "BNB" or with this link.

enjoy it stefan

I eventually found it under Berit Opheim. Does this direct link work? Strangely on that page, the album is by NILS ØKLAND.

This is the right album - but in CD quality! MQA you need to download it from 2L.

Before I buy a 2L download I make a test hearing by TIDAL!

Wau! - This is my Masters MQA voice - sounds exactly like years ago in the studio. Great! woof