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Revisiting MQA & DAC bit-depth in general with Charles Hansen

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Posted on July 18, 2024 at 07:08:03
AbeCollins
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 I was searching the archives for MQA and bit-depth in general as it applies to DACs. Here's what Charles Hansen (RIP) of Ayre had to say about it back in 2017. He posted a clear and concise summary.

Isn't MQA getting a reboot and trying to make a comeback under different ownership? I haven't kept up, not that I ever plan to embrace the smoke and mirrors technology.



 

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RE: Revisiting MQA & DAC bit-depth in general with Charles Hansen, posted on July 18, 2024 at 11:43:53
musetap
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 Really miss Charles Hanson's contributions at Audio Asylum.

Intelligent, knowledgeable, human - he was a gem. RIP indeed.

As for MQA I'll ask for the ____ time. WHAT is it?

And yes, that is a rhetorical question...

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

A product in search of an actual need. -nt, posted on July 18, 2024 at 16:16:16
E-Stat
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RE: Revisiting MQA & DAC bit-depth in general with Charles Hansen, posted on July 18, 2024 at 22:02:19
Postal Grunt
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 Lenbrook was recently said to be the owner of MQA.

 

Isn't MQA getting a reboot and trying to make a comeback under different ownership? , posted on July 21, 2024 at 13:21:00
Roseval
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 Indeed


The Well Tempered Computer

 

That was an interesting read. Thanks, posted on July 21, 2024 at 20:05:25
AbeCollins
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Two wrongs don't make a right. Or will two hasbeens make a comeback?

MQA was looking for a problem that didn't exist especially from the perspective of streaming at reduced bandwidth. Pretty much everyone these days has sufficient internet bandwidth to not need MQA compression. Just stream true lossless CD quality, 24/96, or 24/192 w/o any MQA smoke and mirrors.

But this part might be interesting:

"The box-fresh platform will be available across a variety of mediums. In addition to its bespoke mobile applications, Lenbrook plans for the streaming service to be incorporated into "many of the world's leading high-end audio ecosystems, apps, and brands", although no concrete names have been provided just yet.

According to HDTracks co-founder David Chesky: "We have wanted to launch an HDTracks streaming service for some time. In Lenbrook we have a partner with global reach to help us launch a service ensuring quality and consumer choice. Fans will get to choose their format - either PCM/FLAC or MQA - in a service that will ensure high-resolution audio streaming whether you are in your home or on-the-go."

I am speculating that HDTracks was probably on life support since hi-rez streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz took over. When I subscribed to these services I put a halt to my pricey HDTracks downloads. One album download would cost more than an entire month of hi-res streaming from a vast catalog. If HDTracks + Lenbrook will integrate with Roon (as do Qobuz and Tidal), I might consider them. Otherwise they're too late to the party for me.


 

I beg to differ, but in the real world my differing does not make any difference, posted on July 24, 2024 at 07:27:27
John Marks
 IMHO, MQA's "Origami" function was the answer to a question nobody who mattered was asking.

HOWEVER, MQA's sub-function of single-ended "De-Blurring" of CDs or digital files was valuable. Except for some reason, as far as I know, MQA refused to do what everybody else in the recording and mastering end of professional audio would have done, which would be to offer the De-Blurring as a stand-alone software "Plug-In" for DAW programs.

Plug-Ins start at $10, $29 is a popular price, and $49 seems to be the top end. Because for not much more than $49 you can get an entire DAW package. (I use Hairersoft's Amadeus Pro II--under $100 and so good that John Atkinson also uses it.)

So, harvesting a huge number of $50 transactions was just not in MQA's Business Model.

john

 

I'm with mastering engineer Brian Lucey, posted on July 24, 2024 at 07:42:18
E-Stat
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 who calls it a "corporate money grab" and observes that the process alters the original tonal balance. Not to mention it is a 17 bit lossy format.

Good luck convincining anyone it "fixes" anything!

 

The irony being that MQA really left "a lot of money on the table"..., posted on July 24, 2024 at 08:07:02
John Marks
 The irony being that MQA really left "a lot of money on the table" when they refused to make it easy to buy a stand-along function that as far as I know is generally regarded as a net positive.

john

 

Neil Young also observes, posted on July 25, 2024 at 09:58:40
E-Stat
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 that the Master *claim* is completely bogus!


 

That would explain the superiority of Qobuz over Tidal sound quality, posted on October 17, 2024 at 01:45:19
sbrians
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 Qobuz sounds clearly better than Tidal (w/out an MQA decoder DAC) for 24/192, at least. Now I know why; it's not even close.
Maybe I will compare 16/44 between the two some time.

 

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