MQA discussion

alfa100

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2014
262
49
258
South Africa
i prefer HIFI quality over MQA on Tidal every time. My kit is Aurender to MSB Analog DAC with quad USB. MQA adds coloration in the midrange or adds volume at certain frequencies which sounds unnatural. I have not done measurements. This is my description of what I hear .Maybe it improves sound on budget / entry level kit. Apologies if I sound arrogant . Thats not my intention. Would like to read other opinions
 

caesar

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2010
4,290
767
1,698
So is there a verdict on MQA at this time?

Even before it came out, "Worthless to the Audio Fans" Robert Harley, representing the industry point of view in his usual ways, promised that MQA will be a game changer. Supposedly, thousands upon thousands of titles were going to be released in MQA by the record companies. Although people spent thousands of dollars on MQA-ready gear, I don't think this has happened. (If anyone has a list of MQAd music, please share.)

Computer Audiophile Geek seems confused by MQA. Like most everyday guys plugging network wires in and out, he doesn't seem to understand it. After several years of MQA being available, he had an article called "MQA - It's complicated", or something like that. Obviously he's confused by it. Not exactly a profile in courage, but exactly what we come to expect from our leaders.

John Wilson-Atkinson of Stereophile, in his usual milquetoast ways, has never been enthusiastic about it. Again, unclear why. Confused by it? Bogus technology? Doesn't make much difference?

Has MQA been just another excuse for an audiophile debate? Surprisingly, it has been calm lately on this subject. :)

In the end, has MQA lived up to its promised and made people's lives better?
 

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