Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Bluesound Node2i and MQA to DSP speakers?

Hi Kevin,

Yes that would work.
Bluesound Node into the coax of the DSP7200SE, via the Distributor is you like.
Use Tidal in the Bluesound App.
Set Node so "MQA External DAC" is OFF
Speakers will show OFs and the MQA sample rate, because the Bluesound Node is doing the MQA Authentication and decode.
The speakers receive something they see as decoded MQA ready for them to render, but they have nothing telling them its authentic.

If you wanted the DSP7200SE to state MQA, then
Put Bluesound Node into a 218 or 818v3
Then 218 to DSP7200SE
Set Node so "MQA External DAC" is ON, so that now the 218 does the Authentication and Decode.
Now the DSP7200SE speakers will state MQA, as they can communicate with the 218 over comms, which tells them it's an authentic MQA file.

What I find very strange is why the Bluesound App continues to have access to the MQA files on Tidal, whereas Roon Does not ???

Rick

Not so. Yesterday, I listened to multiple MQA identified tracks via Roon/Tidal to my Meridian Prime.

OK, to be more precise...
...What I find very strange is why the Bluesound App continues to have access to many more MQA files on Tidal than Roon does ???

For instance
In Roon:
Browse > Tidal
Scroll to "Master Quality Authenticated Albums"
I see:
Utopia by Travis Scott - FLAC 88/24
Austin by Post Malone - FLAC 44/24
The Lovliest Time by Carly Rae Jepsen - FLAC 48/24
Really Her by BIA - MQA 44k
Tori by Tori Kelly - FLAC 44/24
So one MQA album from 5

The same browse in Bluesound App
Music > Tidal > Masters
and it shows precisely the same five albums as above
All are available in MQA !

Rick

I think Bluesound haven't implemented the new API in their BluOs app which is why the can access the MQA files still.
It also means they cannot fully access the HiRes files via BluOs.
They are specifically asking people to use Tidal Connect for accessing HiRes and if you want MQA then use BluOs.

There are still loads of 44/16 (CD mastered) MQA albums available via TIDAL Max, presumably because the CD master is all that is available and there is no corresponding "HiRes" master. However, most of the MQA with original sample rate > 44k has been replaced and you'll have a hard time finding 96k and 192k ORFs MQA.

Is the 218 just giving the MQA display or is it key to getting the the second unfold to 192 24?

Investing in node is a punt, but stretching it a bit for 218. Although would give me second output for another room I suppose.


Also if in Roon with Node as output do you get the list of 192 24 tracks for that output, or is it only via bluesound app? Could you then fool Roon to think a 210 is a bluesound node. I suspect not that simple.

Kevin

If you don’t need/want 210 or Roon, can I suggest you eliminate the distributor as well (unless you need the speakerlink run and input) and just go direct from the streamer into 7200’s? And if you want a very cheap alternative just to try things out, I’d suggest a WiiM Pro. Works like a charm, bit perfect.

Slightly left field idea. I have an install of Roon backed up for a Mac. Going to try restoring, de register roon from current server and allocate license back to Mac. Then see if Mac is running old v1. Software and whether MQA 192/24 still there.

Has anyone else tried similar?

‘Magnificat’ is still available on Tidal/Roon at 44kHz 24 bit, MQA Studio 352.8kHz.

That's because 2L only supplies MQA (at DXD original sample rates).