Totally unnecessary format. As time passes disc space is only going to get cheaper. Why else bother with this when there are plenty other formats already around ?
MQA-CD - possible SACD successor?
- Thread starter MrSmithers
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himey
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
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Creation of a new middle man for profit. Simple money grab with ZERO benefits for the consumer.
MQA could be seen as "necessary" for streaming services that want to keep their bandwidth requirements lower than if PCM music files were streamed in their full resolution.
Services like PrimeSeat stream at full resolution PCM (24/96) and even DSD (up to Stereo DSD 11.2Mhz), so no MQA lossy processing is needed or used.
https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/primeseat-launches-dsd-streaming-audio/
MQA enables streaming music services to use their lossy compression technology to take 24/96 and above PCM files and reduce them in size to "CD Quality" music files.
Most listeners, outside the streaming world, are more likely to pick up the full fidelity 24/96 music files vs. the ones that have been MQA'd for CD release.
As for replacing SACDs, MQA uses PCM audio while SACD uses DSD audio.
So, the question is really do listeners gain anything from a CD that starts with a 24/96 PCM music file, has it reduced to "CD Quality" by MQA and then pressed on a CD?
From what I've heard of MQA, I'm fine with standard CDs vs. one that has been through the MQA process.
Other CD listeners/buyers may want to give the MQA processing a try and decide.
I've found similar results listening to decoded MQA at a demo hosted by Meridian. The MQA process definitely impacts the imaging of the music.
Not in a good way.
Kal Rubinson
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
Jim the Oldbie
My right elbow hurts.
I am a cynic and a skeptic about things in general. With that said, this whole MQA scheme has been setting off my bullshit detector from the get-go. I hope it goes away, sooner than later.
YAWN!
I'm done with "new formats" - and so is the rest of the world. Throw these in the pile with the DualDisc's and MVI Discs.
My thoughts exactly. The formats in the listening space already include: LP, CD, Cassette, Stereo-8, Q8, Q4, QS, SQ, CD-4, DTS-CD, DVD/A, SACD, and Elcaset.
I'm burnt out on (literally) buying into anything else. I still haven't even gone for Blu-Ray because there's simply no reason for me to do so.
MrSmithers
1K Club - QQ Shooting Star
I was going to look for some files to see what it sounds like then realised I have no way of playing them back! And did you see some of the prices for the equipment in the video?!
I guess what I was more interested in was the 'origami' lossless fold down effect for possible streaming/downloads. And then the possibility for new/re-releases of surround albums.
I think there's Bob Hope and no hope of the physical discs taking off if they're just based on RBCD. I thought it was different. And was intrigued as weren't there some classic quad albums released only in Japan?
And did you see some of the prices for the equipment in the video?! I guess what I was more interested in was the 'origami' lossless fold down effect for possible streaming/downloads. And then the possibility for new/re-releases of surround albums.
I think there's Bob Hope and no hope of the physical discs taking off if they're just based on RBCD. I thought it was different. And was intrigued as weren't there some classic quad albums released only in Japan?
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I was going to look for some files to see what it sounds like then realised I have no way of playing them back!
I guess what I was more interested in was the 'origami' lossless fold down effect for possible streaming/downloads. And then the possibility for new/re-releases of surround albums.
I think there's Bob Hope and no hope of the physical discs taking off if they're just based on RBCD. I thought it was different. And was intrigued as weren't there some classic quad albums released only in Japan?
good point! just thinking out loud, as the MQA CD push is a Universal label thing at the moment, not sure if there would be too many Quads exclusive to Japan that would come under Universal's umbrella today?
maybe stuff like Jaws (MCA) & Godfather (Paramount) soundtracks, could be interesting.. some of the Philips/Mercury 4DX series (Bachman Turner Overdrive, Paul Mauriat, etc.) I guess they are Universal's now?
holland123
1K Club - QQ Shooting Star
Sorry but after getting screwed by DVDA and SACD I'm not really excited about jumping into a new format, especially one in which there is no multichannel option, where a decoder starts at around a grand, And as far as I'm concerned if Both Kai and Brian give it a thumbs down then > MQA can kiss my ASS
AR Surround quadruple likes this post!!!! Don't forget the quad abandonment back in the 70's.
quoddiophile
Well-known Member
Anyone remotely interested in this subject, should read the following article (and the comments!) in ComputerAudiophile.com:
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/...-of-controversies-concerns-and-cautions-r701/
To my mind, this is one of the very best articles I have ever read in all my (many) years of being an audiophile.
Jim
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/...-of-controversies-concerns-and-cautions-r701/
To my mind, this is one of the very best articles I have ever read in all my (many) years of being an audiophile.
Jim
Yeah this was referenced back in post #12. Good article.
I've read the article, in my view AVOID MQA. IMHO if it takes hold its going to be trouble for lovers of music.
It is highly unlikely to take hold if it needs new specialized equipment for decoding.
But isn't that one of the supposed selling points? You don't need any special equipment,,, unless you want the best quality available, and then the costs (disguised as royalties) are there to fund that jump to higher quality.
They (the record companies) wanted to find a way to sell their music all over again. That’s where MQA comes in. The inventor (Meridian) told the manufacturers of A/V equipment that they need to install the MQA decoder to sell more product and that it’s a win-win for them because they will make money selling new equipment.
The word is, MQA doesn’t sound so good without the MQA decoder.
The word is, MQA doesn’t sound so good without the MQA decoder.
I thought I read several days ago the MQA is all over, discontinued as a going concern. In spite of the major hype coming from some in the audio press, the public voted with their wallets and said no fucking way.
Wasn't interested in MQA then, and not interested now.
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