Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music MQA How

Hi

I am pondering whether to have a go at MQA and how to set up etc?

Most of modern day computer language doesn’t mean to much to me and l easily forget.

With my present system what do l need to hear MQA through my speakers (I understand will only be stereo?).

The 218 seems a choice?

Can it be set up as such that l can switch from MQA back to my present set up from my armchair?

I have an Apple iPad 7.

Thanks,
Colin

Colin

See thread #260600. It is doable but quite complicated. May have got easier since that thread was posted. You also need a means of getting MQA to the 218 - TIDAL via Roon is likely the best way to go nowadays. I think I'd ask the dealer that supplies the 218 to set it all up for you. Good luck.

Colin

Carl has pointed out that the forum is not searchable by thread. Try Googling "Meridian 218 : Set-up tips & tricks etc." and you'll find the thread. All the best

Colin,
To save you searching here's the hyperlink Meridian 218 : Set-up tips & tricks etc..

Regards,
Carl

Hi Colin

I think the Meridian hardware side is fairly straightforward (218 or 210, or 818v3 if you want to really push the boat out) but you need a means of acquiring MQA content in the first place.

The Tidal streaming service is the content provider, and you'll also want Roon software installed on your PC/Mac to seamlessly draw in Tidal's music and send it out to your hifi (eg 218) in the most efficient and best sounding way.

Tidal costs £20 per month for the MQA level service, and Roon is £119 per year (lifetime licence is about £700 IIRC). You can get trial periods of both, ideally timed with a home trial period of a 218, to see if it all works for you.

Do you have a relatively modern PC or Mac? (ie 2-3 years old, and not an entry level very basic machine) You will need this to run Roon, although it is possible to buy preconfigured devices from Roon, at the kind of cost you'd have previously paid for Meridian Sooloos kit. Your iPad would be the control device for selecting and playing music from Roon (Tidal MQA and any CDs you have previously burned to your PC)

You'll have wifi around the house for your iPad, but do you have any network points installed, or use "homeplugs" for spots around the house where the wifi isn't so good? The 218 (and 210 and 818v3) aren't usually connected directly to your router, but to a network switch (very inexpensive and easy to plug in and get going) Normal practice is computer>network switch>218 etc.

And that's it! As Altus suggested, a dealer could set this up for you, or we could talk you through it here (and I've presented the most straightforward way of doing it, it can be made more complicated depending on taste )

On the Meridian specific side, you could have a 218 etc going directly into the second input of your 5200SEs for the best possible sound, whilst still having the rest of your system set up exactly as it is now. So you can still control it all easily from your armchair, with MSR+ and iPad to hand.

Hope that sheds some light on matters...

Cheers

George

Although I have Roon; if you can’t afford Roon, your budget alternative is Audrivana (MAC or PC) via a Meridian 210. Connection between your computer and the 210 is by UPnP.

Audrivana is MQA capable and enables Tidal integration. The software costs £70, with Tidal subscription being an extra monthly outlay. Remote control is via your existing iPad courtesy of Audrivana Remote.

Hi George

Thank you for comprehensive reply.

What has got me considering MQA is the disc facility though maybe more limited. I did read an article (audiophile) which felt MQA streamed was behind SACD (l have a large collection of same mostly classical).
What l was considering is the digital out of the G98 into a MQA decoder and wondered if the 218 would be an answer?

Regards

Hi Colin

I was initially excited at the thought of MQA on disc, but for me it's a non starter. I read (here I think) that it was aimed at the Japanese market where discs are still going strong, but they are very expensive £40-£60 last time I looked) and you need an MQA enabled player, of which there are few (and Meridian have just discontinued their 808v6). A normal CD player will only play back the folded signal, it can't access MQA proper, so your G98 won't offer the necessary compatibility. Nor will a 218 connected to it offer any more MQA goodness.

There was also some comment here a few months ago that suggested MQA on disc wouldn't actually be as good as MQA streamed, which really surprised me. Can't remember why, but I think 3ditor was involved in that discussion?

Folded MQA played via non MQA systems offers slightly better quality than CD, but there has been debate about the mastering process having a large part to play too, ie does the MQA version come from a better master than the CD release? Another variable to consider.

I can't comment on MQA vs SACD but be aware that there's significant, and vicious tribalism from both the conventional High Res and SACD camps, some stoked by manufacturers who were not willing to get on board (licensing fees?)

All I would say is that there are many paths to audio nirvana, and it's doubtful that any one camp has 100% of the answers!

Cheers

George

CDs are 16 bit and streams are 24 bit
You could always Rip an MQA CD and then play it via Roon. That should unfold in Roon and a DAC?

Hi

Mahler 8 Royal Albert Hall with it’s own built in headroom.......?

Yet, my Meridian 506.2, connected to my 218 via Coax, successfully plays my MQA CD, with the appropriate MQA LED illuminating on my 218.

That’s what I would expect if using the digital output. I am pleased you have confirmed this.