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Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming

173.79.100.102
Posted on January 5, 2017 at 15:52:44
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Just noticed a new setting on Tidal. There is the option to run certain albums that are listed under "Masters". There is an additional SQ option as well (passthrough MQA) which I assume is for Dacs that have native MQA decoding ability?

However, when I play albums that are listed as "Masters", my DAC shows either 24/88 or 24/96 playback so I guess the MQA encoded albums are being decoded by the Tidal software and then stream as HiRez?

Sound is NOTICABLY different than the standard 44k stream from Tidal. Tried listening to Natalie Merchant's TigerLilly and almost did not recognize it as the same recording compared to my ripped CD version. Sounds more extended at either end, more detailed in the Master version.

 

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RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 5, 2017 at 16:43:29
bullethead
 I would like to know about that. If tidal is decoding MQA into high res I might sign up again. I don't plan on getting native MQA decoder hardware, if the tidal software can decode to pcm high res I'll give it another shot,

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 5, 2017 at 16:50:30
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Yup my DAC (PS Audio PWD II) is definitely playing at 24/88 and 96k rates whenever a "Master" album is selected.

Here is the other thing, I have not been knocked out by HiRez recordings in the past. I think the HiRez stuff I have sounds a bit different and a bit better than normal RB but not enough that I have really made any effort to download a bunch of HiRez recordings. But 24/88 and 24/96 sound is MARKEDLY different when streamed through Tidal. Still trying to get a handle on all the differences...

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 5, 2017 at 17:26:51
bullethead
 Sounds great. Re subscribed, listening to the doors self titled album now, this is great.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 5, 2017 at 20:42:28
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Tidal is not decoding MQA internally. The native MQA files are 24/96 or 24/88 without the lower bits which are used for the MQA high frequency
encoding
Here is a direct Quote from MQA

"According to MQA's website, while Tidal is one of the select streaming services with MQA playback, you will still need a device or software with an MQA decoder in order to hear the songs in their full master-quality glory. Those without such devices can still hear the MQA-processed songs at a higher quality than CD. At press time, 14 companies offer devices capable of playing back MQA converted files in their richest form, including Pioneer and Technics."
Alan

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 5, 2017 at 22:29:13
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 Anyone know who's selling just the decoder for the MQA files (no DAC)? I just listened to Allen Toussaint's American Tunes on Tidal-Master selection at 24/384 and was very impressed and pleased at the increase in the quality of the sound. Excellent for just $19.99.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 5, 2017 at 22:40:42
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 There is not at the moment a stand alone MQA decoder. But with Tidal now streaming MQA files this will eventually happen
Alan

 

Of course Tidal is decoding MQA..., posted on January 6, 2017 at 02:27:15
Steve Cortez
Audiophile

Posts: 881
Joined: June 2, 2002
 ... otherwise digital streams out of Tidal would be redbook only.

When passthrough is DISENGAGED, meaning Tidal is decoding the stream, digital outputs from Tidal are 96/24. When passthrough is enabled, digital streams out of Tidal are redbook.

 

RE: Of course Tidal is decoding MQA..., posted on January 6, 2017 at 03:06:47
PAR
 That is not correct. The stream from Tidal is the same as always. The additional information for the hi-rez is "folded" within the standard audio stream but can be "unfolded" by an MQA decoder. If you haven't got an MQA decoding DAC then that additional information is just ignored.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 6, 2017 at 03:15:15
PAR
 Alan, I am not sure that is correct. As I understand it, the full MQA process involves the MQA system " knowing" what the DAC employed for replay is (it also needs to know what the encoding ADC was for mastering). So a decoder sans DAC is not feasible for the system (unless we universally adopt a standard DAC).

There will , of course, be (as there are now) standalone DACS with MQA inbuilt.

Regards

Pete

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 6, 2017 at 03:32:56
PAR
 " Yup my DAC (PS Audio PWD II) is definitely playing at 24/88 and 96k rates whenever a "Master" album is selected."

If you haven't got an MQA decoder than it simply cannot be. Are you looking at your PS Audio device's display? If so maybe it is picking up on a format "flag" in the stream? But it cannot be that data rate from Tidal without MQA decoding. Of course I am assuming that you have not, for example, selected 24/96 as the rate in, say, Windows sound on a PC as the PS Audio device will then be getting an upsampled stream.

If it does sounds better then normal then you are validating MQA's claim that even with standard reproduction an MQA Master encoded recording will sound better than CD. NB: this is because they claim that the process corrects errors caused by the digital filter used when mastering or digitising the original.

 

thanks for that, posted on January 6, 2017 at 05:49:13
bullethead
 thanks for that, I just cancelled tidal again after signing up yesterday. good to know, I'm not buying into MQA, especially for the very few albums they got there.

it did sound pretty good, but knowing this and the limited availability of albums, just not worth it IMHO.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 6, 2017 at 07:48:00
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Not sure what is going on but my dac is showing an incoming 24/88 or sometimes a 24/96 stream when using Master albums. It sounds VERY different. The Tidal program has also been given exclusive access so it is not dependent on the audio setting of my MBP.

One other interesting thing to note. My DAC uses analogue switching relays so I hear little clicking noises as resolutions change. A couple times there have been multiple clicks and a couple second "whine" coming from my DAC as if it is having a hard time deciding what the resolution is? Some issue with MQA?

Bullet - I first saw that Tidal had "Master" albums yesterday. They had maybe 100 albums. but this morning that number has probably doubled. I think they will roll this out pretty quickly. I was generally pretty happy with old regular CD quality Tidal, but having enhanced albums is icing on the cake.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 6, 2017 at 09:43:39
PAR
 I wondered if PS Audio had provided an online update of your DAC which incorporated MQA decoding but as I have discovered from their website that it went out of production some time ago this seems unlikely. In any case there ought to be some kind of tell-tale for MQA on the display as that is, I believe, part of the licensing agreement aside from its practical aspect.

So I have no idea what is happening. I can only say that as far as I am aware Tidal does not have the bandwidth to stream natively in 24/96 and that if you could get 24/88.2 or 24/96 from an undecoded MQA enabled stream then no one would need to make decoders and MQA's business plan would be damaged as they would not be able to charge a licensing fee. I believe that somewhat unlikley.

The change in sound quality does not, however, surprise me although the degree that you give it does although that is , of course, subjective.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 6, 2017 at 12:09:01
TubeDriver
Audiophile

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 This makes sense. I am not getting whatever benefit is derived from having a MQA capable DAC but I am getting some resolution higher than 16/44.

I actually heard a couple pauses/drop outs at the start of some songs. This is something I have never had to deal with before since I am on 150GB/s Fios connection.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 6, 2017 at 12:37:30
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 "the full MQA process involves the MQA system " knowing" what the DAC employed for replay is"
There is no way the MQA encoding can know what the replay dac is.
In these cases MQA uses a generic system that guesses at the typical dac playback charecteristics. Doing this a stand alone decoder will be feasable. In fact most of these older albums on tidal that have been MQA encoded don't even know what the recording ADA was. Again they are just guessing
Alan

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 6, 2017 at 12:43:09
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Guys you need to do some reading on how MQA works. The platform for a MQA file is 24/96 or 24/88. The process then use the lower bits of these files to do the MQA encoding. That is why your dacs show 24/96 or 24/88 but you are not getting 24 bit resolution. The MQA file has to be decoded to get the original master resolution
Again unless you have a dac that has a built in MQA decoder you are not hearing true MQA. I agree that the non decoded MQA files seem to sound a little better than the 16/44 file
Alan
Alan

 

RE: thanks for that, posted on January 6, 2017 at 12:47:04
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Ther will be lots of MQA albums on Tidal. It just started and it is already increasing. Also please understand that Tidal is not decoding MQA
Go to the MQA site and they make it very clear that you need an outboard dac with a built in decoder
Alan

 

RE: thanks for that, posted on January 6, 2017 at 12:53:46
TubeDriver
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Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Got it. I think the sound is better even without an MQA DAC, so that is nice regardless of whatever I an listening to.

The sekection has orobably doubled again since this morning, it is rapidly growing. The current collection is a broad mix from hiphop to jazz, country, rock and classical.

 

RE: thanks for that, posted on January 6, 2017 at 14:12:56
TubeDriver
Audiophile

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Location: East Coast
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 Ok, something may not be working as it should.

I just compared a Master album on Tidal with a CD burned and replayed through JRMC21, Natalie Merchant's TigerLilly. The song "Seven Years" sounds completely different. The Tidal Master version has much more bass emphasis, this extends up though the vocals, it almost sounds blurred? Natalie Merchant sounds like she has a chest cold on the Tidal Master version.

I wonder if there is some initial "handshake" or flag in software thats alerts the DAC about resolution and pkayback setting? My DAC seems to be having a hard time, it makes a bunch of clicks (analogue relays) and then a high pitched whining noise but then plays normally. I have never seen this behavior before on standard 16/44 or hirez tracks.


Edit: I just checked and there are two version of this album available on Tidal. The Master version sounds very different from my ripped CD version. The normal HiFi (16/44) sounds MUCH more like my ripped CD version. So, the Master version is not replacing the 16/44 version, they are both still available on Tidal and the Master version sounds very different. I am not sure yet which I subjectively prefer (at least on this album)? Some of the other Master recordings sound good to me.

 

RE: thanks for that, posted on January 6, 2017 at 14:46:16
TubeDriver
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 Update, a quick comparison between the Master version and the normal Hifi version on Tidal has revealed that I prefer the old Hifi (16/44) version compared to the Master version. Bummer.

 

You're mistaken..., posted on January 6, 2017 at 15:22:48
Steve Cortez
Audiophile

Posts: 881
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... it says so on the App itself :)

 

MQA versus HQPlayer upsamping to DSD512, posted on January 6, 2017 at 20:46:27
Ric Schultz
Manufacturer

Posts: 844
Joined: August 7, 2000
 Meridian has tons of money and has a new toy for us. You get better sound and they get more money....nothing wrong with that....win/win. Trouble is they have to remaster every title and then you can only play the ones remastered for the "benefit". What if you could make any file/title at any sample rate sound way, way better? Well folks, it already exists. It is called HQPlayer. Please research this little known audio player and find out why those who listen to it upsampling to DSD512 are ecstatic. According to many who have compared, this player software can completely transform your entire collection. The player needs lots of computing horsepower so you must have a high powered Windows 10 computer to run this software and along with it most like to run Roon as it is more ergonomic in function (they run together perfectly....you use Roon to file and select the songs and then Roon sends the info to HQplayer to play). The higher you upsample the better the sound. Many say going from DSD256 to DSD512 upampling is a bigger jump then DSD128 to DSD256. However, very few DACs can do DSD512 but more are coming. The incredible Gustard x20U pro that I am working up mods on will do DSD256 via usb but can do DSD512 via I2S. Singxer (another Chinese company) will have an updated digital converter that will pass DSD512 via I2S.....allowing all Gustard owners to hear the glory of DSD512 upsampling via HQplayer. There are other player software programs that upsample (including a soon to be updated Roon program)....but so far, everyone says that HQplayer sounds best. I personally have not heard this but am following it intensely because it may hold the real key to amazing sound. One fellow has kludged his Gustard to get DSD512 from his computer and says that his modded Gustard sounds overall better than his $20,000 turntable...super cartridge and phono stage playing the disc versus a 16/44 file upsampled to DSD512 with HQplayer. I believe him. I believe all the others that are saying things similar. Obviously, this is not super easy to attain (is anything worthwhile easy?.....well love is....just breath). You have to have a powerful Windows computer, a DSD512 DAC and tweak, tweak tweak......but from what I have read......this is Nirvana....all your files sounding like you have never hear them....outrageous.

 

RE: You're mistaken..., posted on January 7, 2017 at 03:22:57
PAR
 Apologies. I think that you are right. Also, Tidal seem to have announced at CES that their desktop app does the decoding.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 7, 2017 at 03:31:58
PAR
 Alan, TubeDriver : It seems that the mystery is solved. Tidal have announced at CES that their desktop player does the MQA decoding. I have to say that this is very attractive to me and I may try a subscription once things have settled a little and I can see what repertoire is on offer (if it is mainly pop and rock then I won't find it worthwhile).

As for the repertoire, at least numerically, Tidal say that they are making 30,000 tracks available " immediately". Looks like that immediate availability is going to take a few days to bring about judging by user reports here.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 7, 2017 at 05:30:04
TubeDriver
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 That sounds great in theory but I think the Tidal decoded MQA files do not all sound as good as their normal 16/44 files. Maybe my ears are borked or maybe my DAC is having some weird issue with the decoded files? At least some of the MQA files sound significantly worse, although others may not (Natalie Merchant TiggerLilly sound terrible, Fleetwood Mac Rumors sounds good).

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 7, 2017 at 05:52:53
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 So I am sitting here thinking the sounds on the Master version of Natalie Merchant TigerLilly "Seven Years" actually sounds slower than the Tidal 16/44 version. So I look at the time stamp on the two versions

Tidal 16/44 = 5 minutes and 30 seconds

Tidal Master MQA = 5 minutes 35 seconds

Is that to be expected? Where are the extra 5 seconds coming from?

 

great, posted on January 7, 2017 at 06:11:14
bullethead
 I'll be spending this weekend checking it out.

do you have any articles or press release links that verify this?

Update, there's a lot of confusion about this here, I checked out the computer audiophile web site, lots more technical discussion on this there.

I'm updating my MacBook Pro to Sierra OS right now, I will do some listening this weekend.

I'm using Tidal Macosx app into Auralic Vega via USB. Should be ok, sounded ok just this morning was playing Black Sabbath, which I am very familiar with have lots of SACDs and CDs of their albums. Just want to update to newest OS if there were any sound improvements first.

 

HQPlayer seems to be saying that the OS-X version will also upsample to DSD 512...., posted on January 7, 2017 at 07:47:45
Ivan303
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Does that mean I have to buy one of these?


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

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 7, 2017 at 07:48:46
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 If that is true I need to apologise to everyone for arguing that Tidal is not decoding.
If that is true I don't know why the blue light on my explorer 2 lights up indicating it is getting a MQA file. If it was already decoded why would it light up?
Here is a quote from a press release at CES indicating something else
"For the full MQA experience, including hi-res unpacking, an MQA DAC is required."
So the jury is still out. Need to see a link to a press release from MQA or Tidal confirming they are doing the decoding. It does not make sence. If Tidal decodes MQA people will not flock to buy new MQA dacs including those from Meridian although you would need a MQA dac for MQA downloads
Alan

 

Handshake, posted on January 7, 2017 at 07:56:43
bullethead
 Which operating system are you using? I believe there's probably what they call a handshake with the verification of the codec to the hardware.

I'll be looking into DACs that have hardware MQA now. How is the explorer? Looks like I'll have to blow away my bonus on something. Just as I upgraded my DACa few months ago.

This is crazy, really,

 

RE: great, posted on January 7, 2017 at 08:03:20
PAR
 As requested:

 

RE: great, posted on January 7, 2017 at 08:12:08
bullethead
 Thanks, should be no difference, Just for shits and giggles I got a Meridian Explorer 2 coming today from Amazon.

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 7, 2017 at 08:13:05
PAR
 Here's the Computer Audiophile story from CES which is where I picked it up. I also checked the Tidal website and "Master", as they are referring to it, is now shown as a benefit to subscribers to the hifi service but no mention is made to any external decoder being required.

NB: I have been aware that Tidal were developing something along these lines for along time. I gather it has not been straightforward to implement. When I say a long time I was discussing this possibility with guys from MQA and Tidal (together) at a show in in London in January 2015. Obviously they were not in any position to indicate more than it was a concept being looked at.

Regards

Pete

 

RE: Mastersound (MQA) on Tidal streaming, posted on January 7, 2017 at 08:57:40
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Do you have the MQA software decoding option set to disable?

As I understand it now, you need the following:

1) Latest Tidal app (not browser version)

2) with MQA software decoding enabled, non-native MQA DACs will get some benefit (ie hirez stream at 24/88 or 24/96).This is what I am seeing now.

3) for native MQA DACs, you can disable the Tidal software decoding and get the actual MQA stream which should light up your DAC. You need to insure that the Tidal app is set to allow exclussive access or your OS may up/down sample and effect the integrity of the MQA stream.

 

TIDAL recognizes the AMANERO card in my DAC..., posted on January 7, 2017 at 09:28:56
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 likely that is enough information for TIDAL to know that the DAC I am using is not a MQA licensed device?

Hard to know exactly what firmware/software is included in a MQA license that allows decoding of the 'folded' packet.






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

 

RE: great, posted on January 7, 2017 at 09:32:05
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 If Tidal is decoding MQA in there app then you would not need the explorer. I still don't think this question is answered. We need the guys from Stereophile or absolute sound to tell us what is really happening with Tidal.
Alan

 

RE: great, posted on January 7, 2017 at 09:33:48
bullethead
 Honestly I don't think they know either,

Getting great results with tidal on the Mac.

Cheers!

 

RE: great, posted on January 7, 2017 at 09:54:10
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 From a business standpoint, this would make perfect sense. I would rather collect revenue from licensing millions and millions of albums using MQA through streaming services than getting something from licensed DACs which is surely a MUCH smaller market?

 

RE: great, posted on January 7, 2017 at 15:15:39
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Tidal MQA files decoded by my Explorer 2 sound really good. Certainly better than the identical non MQA files. Don't know yet if it sounds better than my Audio-GD Master 7. Haven't had enough time to compare yet
Alan

 

Can you see the blue light and all 3 dots in direct mode?, posted on January 7, 2017 at 15:20:53
bullethead
 Listening to Black Sabbath self titled, it is at 96khz here on my Auralic Vega in direct mode, do you have any tracks where all 3 lights light up and also have the blue dot saying it is a verified MQA stream on the explorer 2?

I should get mine tomorrow weather permitting, there have been rumors the software decoding limits to 96 which would be the second light, and MQA hardware would have the third light light up when in direct mode if the stream is verified and indeed higher than 96khz using a proper handshake.

Again all speculation I have read.

Thinking you have to have MQA setup to pass through to bypass the tidal decoder and let the hardware do its thing.

 

"this little known audio player"??? Not around here I'd say, posted on January 7, 2017 at 17:06:26
Chris from Lafayette
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Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 I use HQ Player and I'm not even a believer in DSD. ;-)

(Hint: It also up-samples to 24/192 PCM.)

 

RE: "this little known audio player"??? Not around here I'd say, posted on January 7, 2017 at 18:20:34
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Is there an HQ Player for Macs or is it only for PC's
Alan

 

RE: "this little known audio player"??? Not around here I'd say, posted on January 7, 2017 at 18:47:12
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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 System requirements, Mac OS X version:

OS X version 10.9 or later
Audio interface with CoreAudio or ASIO drivers
Display adapter with OpenGL support


Link below:


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

 

RE: "this little known audio player"??? Not around here I'd say, posted on January 7, 2017 at 18:53:04
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Thanks
Alan

 

I might be tempted to try HQPlayer with a fast computer...., posted on January 7, 2017 at 19:22:44
Ivan303
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Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 up-sampling 44.1/16 files to DSD 512 and running to a Singxer SU-1 USB to I2S converter then to the new Gustard ES9028 DAC.

I think inmate 'Mikel' is doing that with HQPlayer and maybe a Lampizator DAC of some kind claiming sonic equivalence to the $40K Trinity R2R Ladder DAC with 16 PCM1704U-K's running in parallel, one per bit?

Maybe not? Just hearsay?

I going to get the Singxer for my main system anyway as the HDMI I2S has dip switches which allow matching to the Audio-GD HEMI I2S input.

The Gustard DAC is less that $1000 and I have a third location which is where a new computer will soon be located so...

Only expense is the Gustard DAC and perhaps more computer power for high rates of up-sampling that would otherwise be needed.

Must be able to do this with an Apple as the wife is being weaned off of Windows because I can no longer answer her Windows related questions.

Might do the Meridian thing while I'm waiting for Singxer to get the firmware update out for DSD 512 support. Not buying now and trying to figure out how to do a firmware update later as with the Audio-GD firmware thing that I missed out on.





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

 

RE: I might be tempted to try HQPlayer with a fast computer...., posted on January 7, 2017 at 19:39:41
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Sounds interesting. I do things a little different because I don't like ESS chips. Over detailed. I am also not a fan of DSD. The two major improvements I have made to my Master & is The Singxer USB converter and the Intona Galvanic isolater.
Alan

 

Pretty much agree on all points but..., posted on January 7, 2017 at 20:41:27
Ivan303
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Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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 The new ES9028/9038 may well be a completely new animal and, at least in theory, DSD may be a better, easier format to decode anyway, or not.

And Channel Classics have some of the best recordings in their catalog I have yet to hear, so there is that.

Having never heard DSD 256 let alone files up-sampled to DSD 512, who knows?

Not me.

Plus one bad sounding DAC in the house won't kill me, especially at only about $900 delivered.




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

 

TIDAL seems to be setting my MIDI setup to 88.2..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 14:25:56
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 when I use 'Exclusive Mode', at least on 2L Nordic Sound tracks.

That said, 'Sailing to Philadelphia' track sounds as good or even better than a ripped CD, or so it seems to me. Not sure my version are is from the same CD?




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

 

While "YES" 'Fragile' takes control of Audi MIDI at 96,000..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 14:35:02
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 And sound good as well, if you like that sort of thing. ;-)






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

 

That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 17:11:29
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 when streaming TIDAL, it's not a hardware implementation after all.

It's just the part of MQA that folds a 'Hi Rez' file/stream into a 16/48 packet.

Which is all I was looking for anyway.

Now we need them to do that to the entire classical catalog.




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

 

RE: That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 17:17:28
bullethead
 I get the blue light on my Explorer 2.

could be two things, you have to bypass software decoding, and also if he got the explorer 2 awhile ago there's a firmware update to MQA for it.

blue light works for me. Also it goes higher than 96khz for me.

 

What happens when you disable MQA using the MQA passthrough selection in prefernces?, posted on January 8, 2017 at 17:39:20
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 on a MQA Master version?

Anything like the normal 16/33.1 HiFi version?




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

 

RE: What happens when you disable MQA using the MQA passthrough selection in prefernces?, posted on January 8, 2017 at 17:52:39
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 OK I got the blue light working again on my Explorer2
I had to click on the "Use Exclusive Mode" settingWhat is srange is
that now the blue light comes on whether passthrough is on or off. Who knows
Alan

 

RE: That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 17:57:37
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 I got it working again. Had to turn on "Use exclusive mode" The strange thing is the blue light comes on whether passthrough is on or off
Alan

 

RE: That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 20:46:55
PAR
 " Now we need them to do that to the entire classical catalog."

Yes indeed. I am going to hang back for a couple of weeks as Tidal load their initial offering onto their servers. Then I will take the trial period offered and see what is what. Can I afford or justify both Tidal and Qobuz?

I understand that most of the first titles are sourced from Warners which may mean that a lot of the old EMI catalogue will be available as well as Warner originals (fingers crossed). Reading between the lines on other MQA stories that have emerged over the past year, UMG may be the next.

Incidentally, did you manage to get that UK subscription to Qobuz? I have come to much prefer the beta desktop player to the old one despite its minor failing with certain lengthy track titles.

 

RE: You're mistaken..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 22:54:05
gsb
Audiophile

Posts: 311
Location: CHARLOTTE, NC
Joined: March 11, 2003
 Are you on a Mac-in my tidal app under streaming tab I do not have all those options-only normal, hifi and masters-none of the other options on my Mac desktop app?

 

RE: "Can I afford or justify both Tidal and Qobuz?", posted on January 9, 2017 at 07:23:58
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 I seem to be managing, but I don't have or pay for cable TV!

And I also justified ClassicsOnlineHD until the cut their catalog to just NAXOS and affiliates.

There is significant overlap, but still quite a bit of stuff available on TIDAL that, while showing up on QOBUZ, will not play more that 30 sec. and is there mostly to prompt paid downloads. :-(






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

 

RE: You're mistaken..., posted on January 9, 2017 at 09:42:49
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Go to the Ac listed below, click on the the little sprocket and you will see 3 options

1) exclusive access
2) disable volume
3) disable MQA software function

 

RE: That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 9, 2017 at 14:17:06
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 If you are looking for EMI classical stuff there is almost none on tidal right now but they continue to load new stuff. I am sure classical will get the least attention
Alan

 

RE: That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 9, 2017 at 19:28:20
PAR
 I am sure that you are right about classical getting the least attention. However when you say almost no EMI stuff is on Tidal, do you mean just relating to MQA encoded or in a more general sense? In referring to EMI classical this is, of course, back catalogue now labelled as Warner. Is this what you mean? I am not expecting anything classical with an actual EMI attribution since Warner Classics purchased the marque.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Pete

 

RE: That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 10, 2017 at 07:35:43
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 I did notice there are several Von Karajan MQA files
Alan

 

RE: That would explain why Alan isn't getting the MQA light..., posted on January 10, 2017 at 08:25:48
PAR
 Thanks Alan. However most of HvK's recordings are on DGG. Only the early ones with (mainly)the Philharmonia Orchestra and L'Orchestre de Paris are EMI originated and now on Warner. So HvK being on Tidal isn't in itself a guide to the availabilty of the ex-EMI catalogue. However see below.

On to something that may be of interest to you. I was checking a report from the closing day of last year's RMAF in regard to MQA. It now looks as if things are going to plan as the article says that all of the Warner catalogue had ( at that point in October) been MQA encoded and that Sony and UMG are anticipated to be ready by the coming Spring. So that indicates that the HvK tracks are the EMI ones (DGG not apparently yet being ready for adding to Tidal's MQA database). It is looking very interesting for later this year.

Regards

Pete

 

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