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MQA?

On my digital side I have an Aurender W20 server with a Metrum pavane level III DAC.    When I stream music I am using the HiFi TIDAL. The Metrum has an option of purchasing a card that I would install to add MQA capabilities. From what I have read there is some controversy as to whether MQA is a positive or negative to the sound of digital. I was interested in thoughts on whether I should add the module. 
rbodner
rbodner OP
52 posts
 
I have enabled MQA on my W 20.    From what I am understanding above even without the  MQA module in my Metrum there Should be a sound difference between MQA files and non-MQA files  I am going to listen to several albums in each format and see if I can hear a difference and which type of file I prefer. It would seem that could possibly help me decide whether I want to have the MQA module in my DAC?
headspace's avatar
headspace
7 posts
 
I have a Bluesound Node 2 with full MQA decoding and my experience has been like some others. When I feed the Bluesound into my Marantz Dac it sounds better to me that way than using the Bluesound with the full MQA unfolding.
Who woulda thunk? Reckon I’m kinda lukewarm on MQA. 
justjames72's avatar
justjames72
66 posts
 
@headspace but what about when you listen to the song not in MQA? do you notice a difference when using either DAC? 
headspace's avatar
headspace
7 posts
 
Yes. I find I prefer the sound of the Bluesound ran through the Marantz ND-6005 whether it’s a Tidal Master or not. Everything just sounds better to me that way. I even run my Oppo BD-103 through the digital connection into the Node 2 and then through the Marantz when playing CD’s. Everything sounds better. Must be the CS4398 chip and the implementation of the HDAM in the Marantz? It gives it a warmer sound and a deeper soundstage than the burr brown Dac in the Node 2 at least to my ears. I’m certainly no technical expert on any of this stuff but I think I hit on a pretty good combination for my budget. I also get the flexibility of using 2 music streamers in my system. 
itsjustme
696 posts
 
@ justjames72 asked:

@itsjustme baffled by what? Maybe, I can help clarify my understanding even if it's not as robust as some.
Baffled by why on would think that MWA, which changes the actual coding, would nto make a difference on a top-line DAC (but, unsaid but implied) *would* on a lesser DAC. Different music, different results. We may like it, may hate it, may think is nothing. But the quality of the DAC should be largely irrelevant - or have the opposite effect -- making it possible to hear subtle differences.
Sorry to comment a million years later, but i just saw this.
G

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