Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music MQA decoding in Tidal App

Thanks - I was not sure if my architectural understanding was robust yet.

And yes, I was wondering about some small active analogue monitors as an alternative to my DSP33s.

This short exchange is possibly in the wrong thread (apologies to the mods) and should perhaps be in the one about MQA and DSP speakers?

ASA, The point got Roon is it's UI. The way it displays and links your music combining your local content and Tidal.
This is all delivered in one neat package.
Once Roon has the basic level of MQA decoding it allows everyone to enjoy some of the MQA benefits without further expense.

I am sorry but I forgot to add another dollop of disappointment. Would the exercise be worthwhile without SE-standard tweeters? I suppose it all depends on how much of the MQA benefit is worth paying for? Perhaps you need to do some auditioning.

You hint that you might consider SE upgrades. These are very worthwhile even without MQA.

But Tidal already offers basic decoding with no Roon subscription.

Tidal does need to connected via a PC or Mac to your system for MQA (currently)

Cheers
tom

Personally, I find the Roon control interface on my iPad Air infinitely preferable to the Tidal PC interface. Unfortunately, we may have to wait until Roon 1.4 for MQA decoding

(Just about on the listening to MQA topic - mods please stop this if you feel it is straying...)

I would be looking at some very high quality (read expensive but less than the a pair of DSP5200SEs or the DSP7200 SE upgrade) analogue monitor speakers to pair with an 818v3 in order to get MQA capability. I can get MQA with those and the v3 upgrade; I cannot get a new/upgraded small-form DSP speaker like the DSP33s - perhaps I am a rare use-case

And this is the more general point, delivery of MQA is cheaper and easier in a non-Meridian archiecture than within. Whether the SQ loss (if indeed there is one) is greater than the MQA SQ benefit is, as you say, a matter for audition and ears.

I just did a test with 3 sources

I used Avishai cohen trio From darkness CD.. lots of dynamics , strong bass , delicate cymbals..a CD I know well.
My system resolves very well and my room is fully treated..I wound it up a bit..well a lot...

"sources" were

Roon sending a 24/48 file .. IE mqa file , no decoding

tidal playing the hifi 16/44 version of the CD

Tidal playing the unfolded MQA

Firstly I cued up the 16 bit VS the 24/48 and flipped between them instantly and seamlessly and the 24 bit was superior in just about all respects .. especially bass and slam , it sounded more open ,, the levels of both were the same .. the 16 bit was more strident ..
So it seems that just by streaming the raw mqa 24/48 you get some of the "goodness"

Then I cued up roon passing thru the 24/48 Vs Tidal AP decoding it .. the decoded was noticeably different and IMHO a lot better ...

Then I cued up the 16bit version in roon and the tidal mqa decoded .. Ie compare "raw 16 bit" to processed MQA
difference was huge.....

So
MQA 2448 is NOT the same as the 16 bit version sonically wise .. It is not remastered however..
just streaming the 2448 unencoded gives you a SQ boost vs the same in 16/44
Decoding it takes it up a step higher.
Ostensibly adding a MQA DAC should take you another step forward

I am of the opinion that every change is positive , hence my step forward / higher comments.
__________________

Re ASA and the point of Roon, I listen to a lot more than the new MQA from Tidal.
A lot of my music will probably never be MQA and as such Roon provides the perfect wrapper for me to hold my Music and Audiobook collection allowing me quick and easy access.
Currently I am enjoying Don Gallardo Live at Little Rabbit Barn which is not commercially available and I have lots more....

[This is intended as a reply to Gianni but other posts appeared before I had finished writing]

At least the 818 upgrade would also give you the benefit of ultra-low jitter. Could it be fed to your B&Ws so you could listen to MQA from Tidal in analogue form? You also get a much better power supply.

If it were me I would:

1. listed to Tidal-decoded MQA in a non-Meridian system.

2. audition an 818v3 at home to see if you like what it can do.

3. depending on the outcome of 1 and 2 then consider SE upgrades in the longer term after listening to SE speakers at your dealer (probably more practical than a home demo). This would also allow you to hear fully decoded and ADC DAC-matched MQA and assess whether it is worth the bother.

But I would also consider another perspective. A while ago Chris Layer posted a helpful link (which sadly I cannot find) to a Hans Beekhuyzen video where he suggested that there is very little sound quality difference between MQA and listening via a high quality DAC. But again, this route also seems expensive.

Rodney: thanks for posting. That is a very helpful series of comparisons.

Chris: thanks for posting. The reasons you give for using Roon are very clear and seem worthwhile.