Fair enough. But I support those like GoldenOne, The Computer Audiophile and Archimago, trying to prevent the shady MQA group from taking over the recorded music industry.
MQA, Worse than FLAC?
- Thread starter Gregadd
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Rarified air indeed. Consider it a well intentioned, non aggressive effort to offer a broader context.
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It is usually in favour of the society to have a vigilante group to keep the checks and balances in place. I fully support the work they do. Let's also remember that there are audio listeners/ music enthusiasts/ audiophiles who simply enjoy the sound of it, including those who are fully aware of MQA's imperfections or the fact that it is indeed a lossy format.
Vigilante has strong connotations. I don't think there's been any violence yet.
I have little experience with MQA, but my opinion after limited exposure is that it sounds overly processed. I know some think it's great.
The obvious concern is the reach they are trying to achieve. They list the following on their website: Streaming Services, Broadcast, HD Video, Live Streaming, Media Players, Download Service, MQA-CD. Each step before I hear MQA music in my home must add some level of extra cost in licensing and equipment, plus the potential for DRM. Playing MQA on gear that lacks MQA capability results in less than Redbook fidelity.
There are several companies like Chord, Benchmark, Schiit, etc., who are anti-MQA and for good reason, IMO. Other companies don't like MQA but are pressured by the market to offer it. I own two systems that are MQA capable but I don't trust MQA's motives, I don't believe it is superior to CD let alone hi-res digital, and I sincerely hope that it fails.
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I must say the MQA debate is really comical to me. I have yet to find anything that says I have to listen to MQA or any format for that matter. If I listen to something and don't like it, I move on.
I remember being at a music store and this guy was raving how bad MQA was. I asked him what he was using to listen to MQA. He said Roon, PS Audio, and Tidal. I told him since he hated MQA so much why not just disable it in Roon and/or switch to Qobuz. Seemed like a simple answer to his problem. Well no he really just wanted me to agree with him about MQA. After I didn't agree with him he started going into how it was a sham. I mentioned again to him just listen to non MQA material.
Maybe in my "Audiophile" days a certain format would cause me heartburn. I'm glad I left those days over a decade ago.
Just my 2 cents of wisdom before taxes. After taxes it closer to zero cents.
I remember being at a music store and this guy was raving how bad MQA was. I asked him what he was using to listen to MQA. He said Roon, PS Audio, and Tidal. I told him since he hated MQA so much why not just disable it in Roon and/or switch to Qobuz. Seemed like a simple answer to his problem. Well no he really just wanted me to agree with him about MQA. After I didn't agree with him he started going into how it was a sham. I mentioned again to him just listen to non MQA material.
Maybe in my "Audiophile" days a certain format would cause me heartburn. I'm glad I left those days over a decade ago.
Just my 2 cents of wisdom before taxes. After taxes it closer to zero cents.
Well just to recap the op side stepped the issue of the relative quality of mqa. The point is whether mqa is writing checks it could not cash. Of course you have freedom of choice for what you like or don't like.
The question I raised is should you pay for something you don't get? Assuming of coursemqa charges a premium.
The question I raised is should you pay for something you don't get? Assuming of coursemqa charges a premium.
There are also some MQA albums available on Amazon but in general, the majority of MQA releases are pretty much limited to Tidal.
The inventory at the L2 shop is pretty limited. Amazon has a lot, I was surprised and impressed at what they have. I noticed several of the MQA offerings list 24 bit remastering and UHQCD with MQA
Does this mean they went back to the original master tape and used a 24 bit ADC and then applied their MQA correction to the 24 bit ADC? and then used the UHQCD to manufacture the CD?
Any opinions on the UHQCD CD's.
Can a MQA file be offered in a DSD format?
Bill Evan - What's New (UHQCD / MQA - 24bit Remaster) - Amazon.com Music
Bill Evan - What's New (UHQCD / MQA - 24bit Remaster) - Amazon.com Music
www.amazon.com
Does this mean they went back to the original master tape and used a 24 bit ADC and then applied their MQA correction to the 24 bit ADC? and then used the UHQCD to manufacture the CD?
Any opinions on the UHQCD CD's.
Can a MQA file be offered in a DSD format?
Not so far as I know. I do know that MQA can support multichannel PCM*.
*Added in edit for clarity.
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For lack of a better word I used vigilante, I do understand that it may have a strong, often pejorative connotation, but I used it in a neutral context. It conveys message well.Vigilante has strong connotations. I don't think there's been any violence yet.
I have little experience with MQA, but my opinion after limited exposure is that it sounds overly processed. I know some think it's great.
The obvious concern is the reach they are trying to achieve. They list the following on their website: Streaming Services, Broadcast, HD Video, Live Streaming, Media Players, Download Service, MQA-CD. Each step before I hear MQA music in my home must add some level of extra cost in licensing and equipment, plus the potential for DRM. Playing MQA on gear that lacks MQA capability results in less than Redbook fidelity.
There are several companies like Chord, Benchmark, Schiit, etc., who are anti-MQA and for good reason, IMO. Other companies don't like MQA but are pressured by the market to offer it. I own two systems that are MQA capable but I don't trust MQA's motives, I don't believe it is superior to CD let alone hi-res digital, and I sincerely hope that it fails.
PS
On top of Tidal, there are a few online stores offering songs or albums in MQA format such as:
Amazon,
Search
www.highresaudio.com
HDtracks | You can hear the difference. Listen on the go in master studio quality.
HDtracks is a high-resolution music platform for music lovers to download their favorite tracks in master studio quality. Join us today for the ultimate listening experience!
www.hdtracks.com
Outlaw Audiophile is a term which gained rapid use on AS as momentum leading to the attack on MQA grew.
It was pointed out to me coinage arrived during the birth of print audiophile outlets (mailing groups included) depicting ideas in sharp contrast with lies being sold to consumers* through advertising. They were small bands treated as outlaws and undesirables by the established authorities. So the term fit.
Edited to add
* Modern impetus was LH Labs continued efforts to convince past investors to contribute in another round of funding. Not MQA.
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Ironic.On top of Tidal, there are a few online stores offering songs or albums in MQA format such as:
Amazon,
Search
HDtracks | You can hear the difference. Listen on the go in master studio quality.
HDtracks is a high-resolution music platform for music lovers to download their favorite tracks in master studio quality. Join us today for the ultimate listening experience!
Interesting info! Outlaw Audiophile - regardless of the connotation, it's got a nice ring to it.
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