Questions:
1. Is UA4 really able to unfold MQA 16x?
2. Is UA4 only support MQA renderer or full decoder?
From what I've tested,
First, using both Windows 11 PC & Macbook Pro,
- Using Tidal, already set to exclusive, but UA4 can only show MQA when Passthrough MQA is disabled, if it set enabled it won't display MQA logo, it will only show PCM without the MQA logo, which makes me assume that the device doesn't have the decoding capability. When Passthrough MQA is disabled, the MQA can only do first unfold, which can only output either 88.2kHz or 96kHz as shown on the UA4's display no matter what the MQA track is.
- Using Roon, no matter using WASAPI exclusive or ASIO, the result is the same as Tidal. I have to enable MQA core decoder and set the MQA as renderer only, or else it won't show the MQA logo. And when MQA logo is shown it can only output either 88.2kHz or 96kHz, no 3-16x unfold same as Tidal.
Second, using Samsung S22 Ultra,
- Using Tidal, already set Max for playback quality and gave the permission when the USB is plugged. The result was instead of MQA output, it just select the highest sample rate the phone is capable, this behave just like Qobuz, in my case 192kHz. No MQA logo, just PCM with highest sample rates the phone is capable, while on
@arczangel case he/she mention that his/her UA4 displayed 384kHz.
- Using USB Audio Player Pro, if bit perfect is set to enabled it will show MQA logo, but it can only output either 88.2kHz or 96kHz.
So, my next questions,
3. Is it Tidal's problem?
4. Is it the firmware's or driver's problem?
5. Or I'm just doing it wrong?
If it's Tidal's problem then I won't complain. But if it's the device problem, then hopefully it can be solved so I didn't waste my money.
PS: This is the first DAC that I own that said it has MQA support. Fortunately I only bought devices that has display. Cause it makes me wonder what about the other DAC that doesn't have display that only show colors to distinguish playback sample rates, cause what if it shows MQA color but in reality it only did first unfold instead of 3-16x unfold and the person can't see it cause it didn't have display. Unless the person using audio player like USB Audio Pro on Android or Roon on PC they'll never know.