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kevinhb
171
Jul 19, 2019
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I don't know that I would say MQA is snake-oil... although the lack of detail I've been able to easily find about how the codec works vs other public-domain codecs does give me some pause and makes it hard for me to decide one way or the other. But I think that the many words that have been said about its impact on the industry, and the level of control MQA is required to exert over the production chain for their proprietary format to work are hard to interpret in any light that is positive. Personally, I can get access to actually lossless versions of the music I want to listen to easily enough, and storage space is cheap enough, that I don't think those risks are even close to worthwhile. I can understand if others disagree for various reasons, but... for my part, I honestly want MQA to fail, so I'm gonna keep on cheering on all the DACs that refuse to go through the necessary licensing rigmarole to be able to be MQA-compatible. Hell, it keeps the price down for me!
Jul 19, 2019
kevinhb
171
Jul 19, 2019
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kevinhbLong story short, without making ANY claims about the merits of the technology itself, MQA (and ANY audio technology) will and CAN only be worthwhile if we reach a point where exclusive control of the format no longer lies in the hands of a single company. Up to that point it is barely, if at all, better than a weird DRM scheme but with lots of extra hoops so the inconvenience of that DRM falls on way more than just the consumer. Just Say No!
(Edited)
Jul 19, 2019
rastus
1391
Jul 19, 2019
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kevinhbYes, it is just the latest shill scheme...
Jul 19, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 22, 2019
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kevinhbDolby still controls Dolby, DTS it's own respective formats. I don't see it becoming any different for MQA. These are "packing" technologies that ride on an underlying format. It's like compressing a text file, at it's core a .doc is a .doc even if you zip it up first. For me personally the jury is still out on MQA being worth something or not. I can't say I've noticed much difference with the "full unpacking" of my KANN Cube vs. app-level unpacking on my PC/mobile apps. Honestly a ton of the MQA capable streams I've listened to top out at 96kHz/24-bit so "full MQA" provides zero benefit over the software layer. Although Rastus and I agree on a lot of things, I don't think shill applies in this model. Controlled ecosystem with licensing fees is more applicable... sort of like Apple products.
Jul 22, 2019
rastus
1391
Jul 25, 2019
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ElectronicVices
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OK,, classic 'shill' is not exactly what they are playing out in this scheme,, but when all parties profiting are going with the story that this is "necessary" and we need it... it is not a far cry from a fake planted customer saying a product is great... When the reality is that we have cheap memory and wide bandwidth... as you said; we don't need compressed/packaged 24/96 fold/unfold software origami, with a licensing fee applied to boot... impress me with something superior to 5.6 DSD... not another faked mp3 scheme...
(Edited)
Jul 25, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 25, 2019
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rastusLove the farside inclusion BTW. The marketing force behind this one is strong but never met a marketing ploy I was a fan of. Meridian has a history of adding value on this front. Anyone heard of MLP aka PPCM? This technology first made it's appearance in DVD audio discs and is a method by which PCM can be compressed in a lossless manner. Dolby employs this technology for True HD (along with their own metadata and channel information). In all those cases Meridian receives licensing funds it was just more "behind the scenes" than MQA is. My primary concern for MQA comes in the form of the potential to manipulate the signal so that many DAC's end up sounding "the same" or the source recording is highly altered from it's original incarnation.
Jul 25, 2019
jpsari
8
Jul 27, 2019
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kevinhbPlease forgive my ignorance as I’m new to the whole licensing aspect. My point is that if it is so onerous and expensive, then how can iFi make killer Dac/Amps starting at only $200 that sound good! I have the $400 IDSD and the amount of features (including MQA) and sound quality for the money is astounding. It would seem to me that if iFi can do it, certainly Drop should be able to and for comparable costs. It just seems that the cost is an excuse. I for one enjoy MQA on Tidal and would like a Dac/Amp or two separate pieces that could drive my Sennheiser HD800’s.
Jul 27, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 29, 2019
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jpsariIt's not just licensing, IIRC the manufacturer has to provide the MQA Group with certain design aspects of their system for full MQA unpacking. It does say something that the top three members of the Meet the Team on their site are the Creator, the CEO and the Director of Licensing.
Jul 29, 2019
rastus
1391
Jul 29, 2019
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ElectronicVicesFinally, you got me,, I'm actually reading the website... Scheisse---- never buying into this... you are so right about messin' with the signal... the little they do say is an ear-opener... "The MQA Core signal is also preconditioned for generic DACs." Even for the final 'unfold' they state: "platform-specific DAC compensation and management according to the hierarchical target" WTELF...? http://bobtalks.co.uk/blog/science-mqa/mqa-playback/#
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Jul 29, 2019
jpsari
8
Jul 30, 2019
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ElectronicVicesThanks for the information. But we’ve had to deal with this with CD’s, Blu-Ray, and other situations. SOI don’t get too freaked out about the licensing, etc. If not using MQA, what streaming service would you recommend using my iFi IDSD? Or with my Sennheiser HDVD800 DAC/AMP? Thanks!
Jul 30, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 30, 2019
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jpsariBeen through my fair share of "format wars"... not judging this one way or the other as of yet. I have a Tidal subscription and thoroughly enjoy it but am a bit of a skeptic by nature. As Deezer and Qobuz grow their user base on this side of the pond I may explore other options. I own one device that does full unpacking and I've not noticed much difference between MQA tracks on my local files sourced from HDTracks.
Jul 30, 2019
jpsari
8
Jul 30, 2019
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ElectronicVicesThanks for the info. I had considered Qobuz but it didn’t seem to have the same depth of MQA equivalent of Hi-Def files. Maybe it’s just because its due to the type of music I prefer.
Jul 30, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 30, 2019
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jpsariSpotify has the best library for me but I can tell the difference between variable lossy compression and FLAC so Tidal was the next best option. When I converted my favorites and playlists I only lost about 1% when converted from Spotify to Tidal
Jul 30, 2019
rastus
1391
Jul 31, 2019
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jpsariYou should try feeding your iDSD some native DSD. I have the HD700’s and this should be very nice with your HD800’s. This type is the best for comparison study as it was actually recorded in DSD and down-converted, not the other direction... https://www.bluecoastmusic.com/meghan-andrews/fire-single#.XUDq0yQpAlQ Many titles available in DSD here: https://store.acousticsounds.com/c/372/DSD_Download Well stated: https://www.audiostream.com/content/dsd-v-pcm-file-comparison-16441-2496-24192-64x-dsd-128x-dsd
(Edited)
Jul 31, 2019
jpsari
8
Jul 31, 2019
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rastusThanks, I’ll check it out!
Jul 31, 2019
rastus
1391
Jul 31, 2019
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jpsari“Again, as I’ve said in my own reviews and posts…it’s not about PCM vs DSD. It’s about having another format that allows us to find thousands of hirez recordings or tranfers that allow us to hear one generation away from the actual masters (and in the case of pure DSD recordings, we ARE hearing the masters). Great hirez PCM and great DSD are like finding silver and gold…I’ll take both…thanks.” Ted Brady “First evening listening to DSD128 and I must say – it sounds like nothing I heard before. It is too good to be true.” Lukasz Fikus https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/09/29/dsd-lampizator/




Jul 31, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 31, 2019
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rastusI wish there were a simpler way to rip my SACD's into DSF without tracking down an old PS3 gen 1 or picking up an oppo. Supposedly it can be done with some Sony players but I've not attempted it on my x800.... as of yet.
Jul 31, 2019
rastus
1391
Jul 31, 2019
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ElectronicVicesThere is another solution, that is fairly easy, and cheap with a Panasonic, will post, another "door" was left ajar; to save your SACD's from their preordained natural decay of course....
Jul 31, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 31, 2019
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rastusAwesome, definitely have a few that don't have digital download equivalents.
Jul 31, 2019
jpsari
8
Aug 13, 2019
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ElectronicVicesI agree with you. I stream MQA via Tidal and have been very impressed with the sound quality. another company that holds a grip on its technology is THX and no one seems to have a problem with them. I for one hope that MQA Continues to grow in popularity and that Drop gets on the MQA train because I’m looking for a new DAC/AMP and by not including MQA, my purchase won’t be to Drop. Their loss for not getting with the times.
Aug 13, 2019
jaxtrauma
2103
Aug 13, 2019
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jpsariI got the ifi nano iDSD Black Label. It has native MQA at $200
Aug 13, 2019
jpsari
8
Aug 13, 2019
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jaxtraumaI had that unit for a while and was very impressed with it. I exchanged it for the xDSD which is twice the price because it was supposed to be able to drive bigger headphones and it had features like 3D+ sound and Bass Boost. I really liked it but it stopped working in less than a month. I am not going to get another xDSD due to this very negative experience and am concerned about getting the iDSD Black Label for build quality concerns. I think I am going to try the Dragonfly Cobalt as Ive read a lot of good review. It fully unfolds MQA, is very small so I can take it with me, and is reported to be able to drive any headphones. Also, since there is no battery, there is no need to charge it. I hope the iDSD works out for you. I really like mine. Good Luck!
Aug 13, 2019
jaxtrauma
2103
Aug 13, 2019
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jpsariYup, had it for only three months but seems robust so far. I'm really pleased with the sound (and the price). Hoping it does last
Aug 13, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Aug 13, 2019
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jaxtraumaIf you have a variety of headphones I can't recommend the KANN Cube more. Its ability to drive all of my 30+ pairs without even touching high gain is an amazing feat for a portable player. The only thing it may not be "optimal" for is sub 14 ohm IEMs due to output impedance.
Aug 13, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Aug 13, 2019
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rastusPioneer has been using Oppo tech for the last couple releases... may just have to pick one up as my Sony will NOT accept FW updates via Wifi or USB these days.
Aug 13, 2019
jaxtrauma
2103
Aug 13, 2019
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ElectronicVicesI use a Magni and Modi for now, until I can upgrade. Working on my IEM collection: https://drop.com/talk/2212/lets-see-yalls-rigs/2407811
Aug 13, 2019
ElectronicVices
2937
Aug 14, 2019
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jaxtraumaGood start... both high yield devices. Spent a lot of time/money trying to find a sub $200 IEM to compete with $500+... they don't exist IMO
Aug 14, 2019
jaxtrauma
2103
Aug 14, 2019
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ElectronicVicesThanks bud. I have to agree with you, I haven't heard any yet. The QDC blows my socks off, for a cool half - grand (but worth it to me for the sound, don't know how they do it with three BA's). The Cardas is dynamic and super bass dominant and it started at $475, (and six years later) now its $150 on Drop . The sub $100 market is burgeoning but still has a long way to go. The 'diamond-like' graphene dynamics (like the BLON 03) are intriguing, but a little weak on the highs. The balanced armature usually doesn't possess enough bass punch. The Tin HiFi T3 is a nice combination of the two for $60 but its really a weak sister, sound-wise. Haven't heard good things about the Tin P1 planar at $200, either. Going to put more acquisitions on hold for a little while to actually spend some time listening to good music and enjoying what I have. Time enough to upgrade later. Now if I can stick to it...
(Edited)
Aug 14, 2019
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