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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,733 Likes: 88
Don't Panic!
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Don't Panic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,733 Likes: 88 |
Thanks @spinaltap. Yeah, the 210 is decoding an "MQA Studio 192k" stream (i.e the encoded master’s original sample rate was 192k), but it will only be decoding to 2x MQA Core (96k).
Rendering only happens in DACs (and the 210 is limited to 96k on its outputs, though that is moot in this instance).
An MQA renderer (standalone DAC or MQA-rendering DSP loudspeakers) is needed on the end of the 210 to process the decoded MQA further. In a non-MQA DAC or non-MQA DSP loudspeakers, you get 88.2 or 96k first-unfold MQA.
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Rolski |
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 715 Likes: 16
Paranoid android
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Paranoid android
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 715 Likes: 16 |
1) MS200, G65, Revivers, DSP5000.2, DSP5000C.2, DSP3100, D1500, SME10/IV.
2) Mac Mini (Roon), Explorer 2, Sennheiser HD6XX.
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1 member likes this:
Rolski |
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171
Hooloovoo
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Hooloovoo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171 |
Hi Danny
I have the same setup as you. 3200”s and 218 and am able to hear a difference between MQA and non MQA on most albums.
If you have Tidal try this album: Australian Chamber Orchestra - Jonny Greenwood Water Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Night Music (Live)
Listen to the start of track 2 (Allegro) on the MQA version then swap to the start of track 2 on non MQA version. With MQA the instruments are finer and more elastic. You can hear the vibration of the strings and can hear they are playing in a live hall as you sense the faintest echo of instruments With non MQA it sounds like they are playing in a sound proof recording studio. The instruments sound wooden and lifeless.
I’m curious to know what you think... or anyone else for that matter. Especially someone with a pair of SE speakers. I concur with this type of difference being audible on non-SE speakers. I heard similar types of differences on my 7200.2 even before the latest FW update which allows the speaker's DACs to render. Now it's an even bigger difference, of course.
HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: Oppo BDP-105, TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, 551, Quad 303, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, Kimber cables, Russ Andrews mains and supports.
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200SL, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 502
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11
Harmless
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Harmless
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11 |
Hi there @viruskiller / other hitchhikers,
I've just bought DSP3200 and am probably going to get the 218 (or 210). I was wondering, this post is almost a year old, so I wanted to double check the situation re: DSP3200 and MQA playback remains the same today as in your post here from last year?
There hasn't been a subsequent firmware release or anything for the 3200 to further enable MQA rendering? And presumably there is no difference between using the newer 210 or 218 in this regard, as the final MQA rendering would be on the 3200 (if it were capable)?
Thank you
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,168 Likes: 43
Pan-dimensional being
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Pan-dimensional being
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,168 Likes: 43 |
Hi,
As VK said, in a non-MQA DSP loudspeaker, you get 88.2 or 96k first unfold MQA.
Brian
Main: G65, MD600 Sooloos, MC200 Roon Core, MS600, 210, 218, UHD722, DSP5200SE, DSP5200HCSE, M6 & DSW.2
System 2: AC200 MS200, WiiM Pro+, M6.
Other: DSP5000 (96/24v1), DSP3300.
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11
Harmless
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Harmless
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11 |
Hey Brian, thanks, I get that - I think my question was narrowly, has there been a firmware update to the DSP3200 in the year since VK's original post to enable the 3200 for MQA rendering. As I believe it's not the 3200 hardware currently that's MQA incapable but the firmware?
And additionally if there's any difference in sound quality between 210 and 218. Cheers
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,733 Likes: 88
Don't Panic!
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Don't Panic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,733 Likes: 88 |
has there been a firmware update to the DSP3200 in the year since VK's original post to enable the 3200 for MQA rendering No, and TBH, I doubt that there will ever be. I would love Meridian to prove me wrong!
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 889 Likes: 56
Pan-dimensional being
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Pan-dimensional being
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 889 Likes: 56 |
Also, just to add first unfold MQA sounds great through legacy non-MQA enabled DSPs. I routinely listen to MQA first unfold through an 818v3 into DSP6000s- it sounds fantastic!
Theater: 861v4_LPS, 818v3, HD621, Oppo 203, Lumagen Pro, DSP8000SE, DSP5500C, SW1600x2, DSP5500, Epson 6040UB, PS4
Living room: 861v4_LPS, HD621, DSP8000SE, DSP5200C, Oppo 203, Lumagen 2143, 818v3, Sooloos/MC600 Bluesound Node
Bedroom: M80
office: G68D, DSP6000
Garage: DSP5000
Storage: M33s, DSP33s, DSP5k, 501, 518, M1500, G98DH, SW1600
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11
Harmless
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Harmless
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11 |
has there been a firmware update to the DSP3200 in the year since VK's original post to enable the 3200 for MQA rendering No, and TBH, I doubt that there will ever be. I would love Meridian to prove me wrong! Thanks for the feedback. I'll email Meridian and +1 request it haha but if you're doubtful, I'm sure you're right! Cheers
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11
Harmless
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Harmless
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11 |
Also, just to add first unfold MQA sounds great through legacy non-MQA enabled DSPs. I routinely listen to MQA first unfold through an 818v3 into DSP6000s- it sounds fantastic! Good to know. I've been auditioning Tidal and Qobuz which is why I'm wondering. Transferring my library from Spotify the past couple of weeks, more often than not, Qobuz has had the better quality files (purely based on the numbers). Also doing listening tests on my current rig, Mac Mini > G68SL > Audiolab 8200p > B&W 703 S2, the Qobuz tracks have sounded better to my ear. I'm going to be interested to compare Tidal MQA once I have the 218 vs the Qobuz FLACs. Cheers for the sharing your experience.
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