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Finally went and did it-MQA

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Posted on April 27, 2016 at 14:54:56
ahendler
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Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
Well I went and did it. I have coming from Music Direct a Meridian explorer2 so I can finally hear MQA. I have downloaded from the 2L audio sight 7 sample MQA files and there equivalent 16/44 files. I will be gone for a while to the Lone Star audiofest in Dallas but when I get back I will listen and do a review. Does anybody know where I can get more MQA files. I am familiar with the Onkyo.com site and 2L. Wish Tidal would get there act together
Alan

 

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A format in search of..., posted on April 27, 2016 at 15:02:18
E-Stat
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April 5, 2002
music!

 

RE: Finally went and did it-MQA, posted on April 27, 2016 at 15:05:40
Sordidman
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Posts: 13665
Location: San Francisco
Joined: May 14, 2001
Cool...

Thanks for stepping up and being a guinea pig tester of this thing. With your system, - it's going to be interesting to know if this thing is any good or not. Looking forward to reading your take on it......




"Asylums with doors open wide,
Where people had paid to see inside,
For entertainment they watch his body twist
Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'"

 

Any classical music available anywhere yet? n/t, posted on April 27, 2016 at 15:44:48
hesson11
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n/t

 

RE: Any classical music available anywhere yet? n/t, posted on April 27, 2016 at 17:17:58
ahendler
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Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
Yes. On the 2L site there is Brittins simple symphony, a Hayden quartet, a Mozart violin concerto and some Vivaldi. I believe there is classical on the Onkyo site. Once Tidal gets going there should be a lot of classical
Alan

 

RE: Finally went and did it-MQA, posted on April 27, 2016 at 18:04:28
AbeCollins
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Let us know what you think! But I'm already curious to know, where are your "equivalent 16/44 files" coming from?

 

What about comparing Non-MQA 24/96 Files to MQA 24/96?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 18:13:31
oldmkvi
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Posts: 10574
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Instead of 16/44.
Comparisons often get shot down because some aspect was different between the Files being compared.
Mastering, whatever.
Non-MQA Apples to MQA Apples...

 

RE: What about comparing Non-MQA 24/96 Files to MQA 24/96?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 19:27:18
ahendler
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Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
I will be able to do that
Alan

 

RE: Finally went and did it-MQA, posted on April 27, 2016 at 19:28:30
ahendler
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Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
From the 2L site. They have single albums in multiple formats
Alan

 

RE: What about comparing Non-MQA 24/96 Files to MQA 24/96?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 19:38:57
ahendler
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Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
By the way MQA files are 24/44 or 24/48
Alan

 

RE: What about comparing Non-MQA 24/96 Files to MQA 24/96?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 20:06:36
oldmkvi
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OK, Thanks. Keep us posted, I know you will.

 

RE: Finally went and did it-MQA, posted on April 27, 2016 at 20:53:03
PAR
It seems that the availabilty of MQA tracks is expanding - a little.

As well as 2L and Onkyo there are now tracks available from 7 Music and Technics ( yes, Technics!). I guess we can expect MQA enabled hardware from Technics too.

The link is to MQA in the UK so it may be that territorial restrictions apply to the available tracks.

I am really looking forward to your opnion when you receive your Explorer.

 

Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 21:02:45
oldmkvi
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Questions, questions , questions!

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 21:27:55
PAR
As far as I understand MQA, MQA doesn't have a sample rate. It uses whatever rate the master recording is (master in this sense being the original file chosen by the repertoire owner). So if 2L recorded the file in DXD and want to release the file to the public in this format via MQA then that is what you get. MQA is compatible with PCM to 768KHz or DSD256.

Bob Stuart answers many questions over at CA.

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 21:33:30
oldmkvi
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John Atkinson said MQA is PCM only, in response to a post here.
Allan said MQA is 24/44 or 24/48.
I'll read the Link you provided, thanks.
I hope I haven't started an argument here...

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 27, 2016 at 21:41:50
PAR
In MQA the 24/44.1 or 24/48 or whatever rate file is just the "wrapper" for delivery which contains a file at the rates up to those in my earlier posting. The original file is recovered when decoded.

 

RE: Finally went and did it-MQA, posted on April 27, 2016 at 22:54:41
AbeCollins
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From the 2L site. They have single albums in multiple formats.

Getting the 16/44 'equivalent' files from a MQA business partner and provider of the MQA files would have me a little concerned.

I'd feel better about sonic comparisons if I could compare MQA against my own 44/16 rips, or those from a separate independent source.

I wonder what titles are available for comparison.

 

RE: Finally went and did it-MQA, posted on April 28, 2016 at 11:08:00
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
2L takes a file and then encodes it in the following formats which you can then buy
From the album Stereo
24BIT/352.8kHz Stereo
24BIT/192kHz Stereo
24BIT/96kHz MQA stereo
original resolution CD
16BIT/44kHz 5.1 Surround
24BIT/96kHz Stereo DSD 256
11.2896Mbit/s Stereo DSD 128
5.6448Mbit/s Stereo DSD 64
2.8224Mbit/s
5.1 Surround
They are all sourced from the original album file
Alan




 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 28, 2016 at 11:09:19
ahendler
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Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
24/44 and 24/48 is the standard MQA sampling rate
Alan

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 28, 2016 at 11:10:55
ahendler
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Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
No, the MQA file that is finally released to the public is 24/44 or 24/48
at a bit rate of 1.5 mbps
Alan

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 28, 2016 at 11:12:52
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
That is correct I think. The fact that it is 24/44 or 24/48 with a low bitrate is what allows the MQA file to be streamed
Alan

 

RE: Finally went and did it-MQA, posted on April 28, 2016 at 11:14:27
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
Of course just got notice that the Meridian has been back ordered. Waiting on a new delivery date. Don't you hate that
Alan

 

Thanks! I noticed what seemed to be praise for DSD128 in the article, posted on April 28, 2016 at 11:23:45
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10574
Joined: April 12, 2002
Said distribution was problematical ( my paraphrase...),
but I've had no problem with DSD 128 Downloads.
Anyway, it's good to see something new.
Wouldn't be surprised if it surprises us.
I hope content will be both Downloads and Streaming.
Seems like Steaming Quality could be way better than now.

 

Is it Headphones only, or RCA's too? The, posted on April 28, 2016 at 11:25:59
oldmkvi
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next jump in price seems to be Mytek Brooklyn, at $2000.

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 28, 2016 at 12:54:55
Tony Lauck
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The "original file" (whatever the original master was) is not recovered from the decoded MQA. That would be mathematically impossible if the original file was at a higher resolution than 44/24 or 48/24, since there would not be enough bits. Rather, a "lossy" version of the original file is recovered.

There is some marketing hype that MQA can be better than the original file itself. If you believe that, there's a bridge in Brooklyn you can purchase. Of course if you compare an MQA version made from one master with a different master file (or CD downsample thereof) you may discover that the difference in mastering is 100x greater than any format differences.

Tony Lauck

"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar

 

RE: Is it Headphones only, or RCA's too? The, posted on April 28, 2016 at 13:32:29
ahendler
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Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
It has headphone and line out
Alan

 

RE: Thanks! I noticed what seemed to be praise for DSD128 in the article, posted on April 28, 2016 at 13:34:56
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
Will know as soon as Tidal starts streaming in MQA. Supposed to happen soon
Alan

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 28, 2016 at 15:40:30
PAR
I wonder if you really understand what MQA is and does? Or. at least, what the claim is. I did provide a link in an earlier post in this thread.

There is no claim at all about MQA being better than the original file. There is a claim about an MQA file drawn from the master being better than the CD or other format previously issued to the consumer however.

At this point I feel a need to use the usual disclaimers. I am not connected in any way. shape or form to MQA or its progenitors, manufacturers or promoters and have no interest aside from general debate.

 

RE: Doesn't 2L record in DXD? How did they settle on the MQA Sample rate?, posted on April 28, 2016 at 16:38:31
ahendler
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Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
MQA is supposed to take you ahead of the ADC used to produce the digital master . I understand MQA very well. Alan

 

Good deal! Thanks. nt, posted on April 28, 2016 at 16:54:12
oldmkvi
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Joined: April 12, 2002
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