(UHQCD format x MQA technology). Disc's-DAC's-Streamers and Tidal
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Another STUNNING Japanese MQA~CD which I would never have known about had it not been MQA encoded: DREAMWEAVERS
https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/RINC-73?s_ssid=e42cdf62069bd3f520
Thanks for sharing about this release... I streamed it on Tidal to check it out - and like how eclectic the mood is from song to song. Not yet configured to unfold MQA ... and honestly not sold on its longevity ... but as I see more releases in this format I start to believe that it may survive.
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I am happy to report that even MQA~UNencoded [or unfolded] MQA discs sound SUPERB! So you can buy with confidence.
As far as the longevity of the format......no one has a crystal ball. There has been so much trash talk about MQA it certainly has dissuaded a lot of potential buyers but I can assure you that of the over 60 MQA~CDs I have in my collection .... NONE of them disappoint! Hong Kong based EVOSOUND continues to release in this format and IMO produces some of the most incredible MQA~CDs in existence and they are ALL priced well below the UHQ MQA~CD Japanese product [usually $16 and under].
And be aware, even if the format dies a slow death, all your MQA~CDs will sound just fine [and even better] than their RBCD counterparts!
BTW, I'm currently spinning DREAMWEAVERS unencoded and it really is a special listening experience.
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I can't remember a format that so polarized people. Still I don't want to make a huge investment.
The micro-dac I looked at on Amazon was only $69 bucks and has one of the ES chips in it, which seems to be a good thing, and fully certified for ever what that is worth. One could go 3.5mm jack into their pc with this one, e.g. I asked and the seller responded with that. Post #66 for link if interested in getting in on the cheap.
The micro-dac I looked at on Amazon was only $69 bucks and has one of the ES chips in it, which seems to be a good thing, and fully certified for ever what that is worth. One could go 3.5mm jack into their pc with this one, e.g. I asked and the seller responded with that. Post #66 for link if interested in getting in on the cheap.
What we really need is…
I gave up on MQA, purchased a turntable and upgraded it. I know! I’ve sunk really low.
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I gave up on MQA, purchased a turntable and upgraded it. I know! I’ve sunk really low.
TRAITOR, PERP. Now you can gourge yourself on MoFi's $125 a pop One Step Vinyl! NO ticks, NO Pops, NO swishes: just a huge hit on your bank account!
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MOST unfortunately, Warner gave up releasing MQA discs.....The few they did release, however, sounded SPECTACULAR MQA encoded!
Great I-dea!!!
If anyone finds a software solution for playback/unfolding of MQA please do post up. By that I mean it works without any sort of special equipment involved.
This is not like the intuitive feeling I had when I purchased that Quad 8 track player all those years ago. An audition on the cheap could go far in making a decision.
This is not like the intuitive feeling I had when I purchased that Quad 8 track player all those years ago. An audition on the cheap could go far in making a decision.
Can you use Foobar with a component? I haven’t used it in years. So, not sure.
Well a method was posted earlier in the thread to do so, but it did not work out for me. I could have screwed up, granted, but I could not get Foobar to accept a .dll necessary to make it work, and I'm not quite sure if one needs a proper SACD DAC for this.
I just looked on the Foobar Website and did not see any MQA component. By the way, MQA and SACD are two different formats. In other words, you just need a DAC that is compatible with MQA.
OK apparently one or two of the components are outdated and will not install or work. Too bad, was worth a shot.
Nope, the components linked are outdated and I guess
I wonder if the folks over at MQA put a stop to it due to licensing.
Just outdated, uninstallable components. Or maybe it was a farce from the start. IDK.I wonder if the folks over at MQA put a stop to it due to licensing.
I can listen to hard discs, digital files, and Tidal that I can completely unfold.
Best way to start, use your phone with Tidal, master recordings, a DRAGONFLY RED and a decent pair of HEADPHONES.
That is about $400.00, certainly cheaper than any part of a home rig.
To be very honest, I think it is good, it is not great. When I listen I tend to go where I go and if it is MQA for that moment, than it is.
Probably listening to TIDAL masters with the little DAC is ultimately a better way.
BTW, if you have a Tidal account on your PC, and some good desktop speakers, you can use the Dragonfly DAC in that configuration also. $230.00 and your good to go from the PC.
I assume if you play a MQA deck through your external CD driver and you have the DAC that what comes out of speakers is MQA.
The Dragonfly has different light colors so you know when you are getting a MQA signal.
Best way to start, use your phone with Tidal, master recordings, a DRAGONFLY RED and a decent pair of HEADPHONES.
That is about $400.00, certainly cheaper than any part of a home rig.
That is so true.
To be very honest, I think it is good, it is not great. When I listen I tend to go where I go and if it is MQA for that moment, than it is.
Probably listening to TIDAL masters with the little DAC is ultimately a better way.
BTW, if you have a Tidal account on your PC, and some good desktop speakers, you can use the Dragonfly DAC in that configuration also. $230.00 and your good to go from the PC.
I assume if you play a MQA deck through your external CD driver and you have the DAC that what comes out of speakers is MQA.
The Dragonfly has different light colors so you know when you are getting a MQA signal.
It really isn’t worth the headache when there is so much music out there available on other formats.
True, I wonder, if I was cruising on foot and bounced back and forth between Tidal Masters (MQA) or Apple Lossless, would I be able to tell the difference, I got to try that.
Still, that said, a nice little DAC attached to your phone or PC will improve sound quality for Apple and Tidal both.
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