best MQA Tidal Explanation I have read so far

At least as it was explained by Meridian's Bob Stuart at the 2015 RMAF when he says:

"Tidal's desktop app (Mac OS, Windows) will carry out the first unfold, even in the absence of an MQA DAC. In other words, a 24bit/48kHz MQA file streamed via the Tidal desktop app will reach the downstream DAC as a 24bit/96kHz file, whether that DAC is MQA-certified or not. And if the original studio master has a sample rate of 96kHz or less, you're not missing out on anything."

But then admits: "Actually, no. ANY DAC can play it. It just won't see the entire hi-res portion of the file that MQA's encapsulation has tucked away under the file's noise floor."

I seem to recall Mr. Stuart saying he didn't think we really needed all 24 bits (below the noise floor) so he used them do encode the extra samples between 48KHz and 96KHz and that why some still call it a 'lossey' codec.

But I could be wrong.

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: Mr. Darko may be missing a few facts..., posted on January 12, 2017 at 09:16:36

PAR

" I seem to recall Mr. Stuart saying he didn't think we really needed all 24 bits (below the noise floor) so he used them do encode the extra samples between 48KHz and 96KHz and that why some still call it a 'lossey' codec.

But I could be wrong."

I get the impression from a couple of the reader comments posted on Mr. Darko's page that "lossy" is immediately thought of by some folk as being synonymous with "frequency loss". As has been the history of MQA to date, prejudice coupled with little desire to find out the facts.

RE: 'Lossy' or 'Lossie'..., posted on January 12, 2017 at 09:29:39
Ivan303 Audiophile Posts: 48887 Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM Joined: February 26, 2001	Who knows? But if you start with 24/96 music and end up with 24/96 where the last four bits are 'zero' because you used those four bits to carry information between 48Khz and 96KHz, one COULD safely call such a codec 'Lossy', 'Lossey', or even 'Lossie'. ;-) First they came for the dumb-asses And I did not speak out Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: Mr. Darko may be missing a few facts..., posted on January 12, 2017 at 10:11:13

AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
Since: February 2, 2002

There still appears to be a lot of speculation and confusion surrounding MQA.

Right now MQA seems like unnecessary smoke and mirrors with lots of complexity wrapped up in great marketing spin. The next new thing for audiophiles to play with and the founders to profit from. Next.

Even if MQA offers outstanding results, I'm not sure how it will benefit ME. I have thousands of music files already ripped or downloaded that sound outstanding on my present equipment. I'm not likely to repurchase my music in MQA.

I suppose if I were to subscribe to Tidal it may be beneficial for streaming.

Until MQA goes more main stream, I'll sit on the sidelines as I often do as I am not an early adopter. But I'll probably give it a try someday unless it dies on the vine.

What ever happened to Pono? Still under construction? ;-)

Pono

RE: Mr. Darko may be missing a few facts..., posted on January 12, 2017 at 10:34:27
Mr_Steady Audiophile Posts: 2042 Location: North Florida Joined: August 19, 2014	I've been meaning to post an update on Pono. Tonight I will start a thread on hi res. I received an email from them, and I want to reread it before I post. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!

Wake me up about MQA when, posted on January 12, 2017 at 10:50:18
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37609 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	the available content approaches 0.5%. I'll be retired by then. :)

RE: Mr. Darko may be missing a few facts..., posted on January 12, 2017 at 12:48:29
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46280 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	Interesting. When the Pono service went down they were talking about rebuilding it but that was quite a while ago. Please update us when you have a chance.

I don't know I like what he said (nt), posted on January 12, 2017 at 18:35:32
bullethead	.

'Lassie'........, posted on February 22, 2017 at 17:15:22
Todd Krieger Audiophile Posts: 37333 Location: SW United States Joined: November 2, 2000	Woof, woof!!!

Digital Drive

best MQA Tidal Explanation I have read so far

108.14.104.71