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Thread: Tidal now streaming MQA!

  1. #31
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    with all great grandparents present?
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  2. #32
    Join Date: Jan 2013

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    There's a trick there... you'd need to score 90%. So I'll say 80% or more, using tracks I have determined to be derived from the same master i.e. ones I can tell no difference between.

  3. #33
    Join Date: Aug 2009

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    Is this another one of those scams where they re-master and then pretend the improvements are due to the format? From what I have read so far that seems to be the case. They claim some sort of 'timing' improvement but even if this is actually something more than marketing bollox it is fixing a non-existent problem. I've no objections to better re-mastering but why can't they just be honest about it?
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  4. #34
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    Quote Originally Posted by User211 View Post
    ..... using my pretty capable system.

    Anyone up for it? I didn't think so LOL.
    I've not heard a more resolving system than yours, Justin.

    If you can't hear a difference then I strongly suspect there isn't one.
    .

  5. #35
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    Not convinced personally by the MQA processing in itself, but these albums are being streamed in 24bit, not 16 as well as 48,96 or 192K samplerate.
    This is what I'm attributing the improvement in sound quality to.
    Last edited by Gazjam; 08-01-2017 at 21:13.
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  6. #36
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    I will have a bit more of a scout around as I have only tried one track in depth. That's hardly a fair assessment.

    My expectation bias is angled the wrong way i.e. not in favour of MQA and I kind of agree with Macca at the mo.

  7. #37
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    I am actually inclined to say Tidal MQA streams improves quite ovbviously on their 16/44.1 counterpart. But i will record some samples through a good AD-converter and then make these available for scrutinizing by you good fellow audiophiles.
    I'll even include some LP needle drops from original and remastered versions!
    Too bad i havent got a competitive MQA enabled DAC to compare with too...

  8. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gazjam View Post
    Not convinced personally by the MQA processing in itself, but these albums are being streamed in 24bit, not 16 as well as 48,96 or 192K samplerate.
    This is what I'm attributing the improvement in sound quality to.
    Higher sampling would only offer an almost imperceptible difference, and can offer none whatsoever on recordings made in analogue or 16/44. Bitrate only effects dynamic range and 16 bits is overkill already. People are reporting dramatic improvements over ripped cd versions so to me that can only mean remastering of some type. Maybe some sort of complex EQ algorithm that 'spices it all up' from a psycho-acoustic angle? Similar to the way they EQ classic tracks to have more punch on film soundtracks, only this is a one size fits all deal.
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  9. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by Macca View Post
    Higher sampling would only offer an almost imperceptible difference, and can offer none whatsoever on recordings made in analogue or 16/44. Bitrate only effects dynamic range and 16 bits is overkill already. People are reporting dramatic improvements over ripped cd versions so to me that can only mean remastering of some type. Maybe some sort of complex EQ algorithm that 'spices it all up' from a psycho-acoustic angle? Similar to the way they EQ classic tracks to have more punch on film soundtracks, only this is a one size fits all deal.
    Hmnn...can be a bit of a moot point that, but hear what your saying Martin.

    I still prefer ripped CD to 16/44 Tidal Flac, but the 24bit MQA versions sound slightly better to me.
    Interestingly, non streamed 24-bit versions of the same album on my hard drive sound better than the MQA versions to my ears.
    Lots of variables to get a handle on really and make a definitive judgment I guess, especially given all the different systems and setups everyone has.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
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    SPEAKERS
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    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  10. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gazjam View Post
    Hmnn...can be a bit of a moot point that, but hear what your saying Martin.

    I still prefer ripped CD to 16/44 Tidal Flac, but the 24bit MQA versions sound slightly better to me.
    Interestingly, non streamed 24-bit versions of the same album on my hard drive sound better than the MQA versions to my ears.
    Lots of variables to get a handle on really and make a definitive judgment I guess, especially given all the different systems and setups everyone has.
    Yeah I am sceptical especially when it involves old recordings like Space Oddity or Astral Weeks. If you've got a Cd from the first gen master you have got the master. There's nothing missing. So when people are saying the MQA version is clearly 'better' it has me asking questions. I mean, a recording is not complex data, it is a simple waveform, there is only so much there you can 'reveal'. So I think it is possible that MQA is just a sophisticated graphic equaliser.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

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