One thing remains for certain, which is that the second part of MQA, the final ‘rendering’ can only occur as part of a D/A conversion process.

If the signal remains digital from source through to a pair of DSP speakers, then it can only be done via the DAC of SE spec speakers. If a ‘first unfold’ MQA signal is going from a 210 into a 218 then it has to go in digitally, logically via SpeakerLink. The only place a ‘rendered’ signal can then come from is surely the 218 analogue outputs? Therefore, the 218 is still passing the first unfold MQA signal unmolested to the DSP speakers which can’t ‘render’ it (unless they are SE). Someone will understand this better than me, but my limited understanding can’t envisage it any other way.

It’s disappointing that It’s actually more difficult to get a satisfactory MQA solution from Meridian than most other manufacturers who have decided to support it.

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