So the implication is (and apologies if I have this totally wrong) that a PC running Tidal in decode MQA mode is outputting a decoded MQA 24/96 stream which can be accessed via a USB to SPDIF converter?

I thought that MQA over SPDIF was a no-no? Remember the fuss about the Aurilac streamer.

I am guessing that if my deduction above is correct then the MQA digital feed will not have been corrected for the target DAC as there is no feedback route from the DAC via USB into the Tidal app? Meanwhile an MQA-enabled DAC will do that final bit of MQAing, i.e. unfold the 24/96 into 24/192, correct for itself (as it were) and perform the D2A?

In the spirit of Spinaltap, I would like to confirm that I am not involved in the corrupt theft of a global sport.