[Dr. Ameet V Joshi]

Now the $100 Dragonfly black supports MQA with firmware version 1.06!!!

 

[watchdog507]

One more piece to add to the puzzle. The PS Audio Bridge II for the Directstream DAC is MQA and Roon ready. Mine is on order. I should have it next week, if the Gods of Audio are cooperative.

 

[thyname]

Lumin T1 rocks!

 

[DelsFan]

I only know of Mytek Brooklyn (about $2,000) that is MQA capable. And some expensive Meridian DACs.

Does anybody know of anything cheaper that is MQA-capable? Hopefully Roon Tested or Ready. And, hopefully includes Amp.

Thanks!

I emailed TIDAL with some questions about how to stream their service, leaving my laptop and desktop out of the music chain. Their "help" was useless - cut and paste something from their FAQs which I'd already read twice. The guy did say these are the current (October, 2017) partners. TIDAL knows squat about MQA, at least anyone you can find on the phone or in customer support knows nothing. They had to have spent tens of thousands, at the least, on their TIDAL Masters "program"; they sure seem disinterested in explaining it. Or, maybe there are 10,000 kids streaming with their portable system for every one of "us", so who cares.

MQA partners they offered:
* Bluesound/NAD
* Cary Audio
* Aurender
* Meridian
* Bel Canto
* Auralic
* Audirvana plus
* Roon
*Lumin

INSERT: I am trying to assemble what I thought would be a high-end system (started in complete ignorance with a budget of $3000, moved to $7000, now expecting $10K won't get the job done). I realize $10K is the rock bottom floor for "high-end"! My rig might look something like LCD-4 or HE-1000 headphones, (add a cable); microZotl MZ2 tube-based amplifier (add a LPS and 110v and 12v cables); DAC to be named later, with BNC input and MQA compatible (add power cord and potentially another LPS, and analogue interconnect); streamer (add yet another LPS, power cord, USB cord if BNC out is not an option, USB conditioner and LPS and another USB cord, tablet to control the streamer). $2K for headphones, $1.5K for amp, $1.5K for DAC, and $2K for streamer = $7K (which really equals $11K, hopefully). I already have a (Isotek IVO3 Polaris) power conditioner and fortunately it will be easy to install a 20 amp dedicated circuit with a hospital or audiophile grade outlet in my study/listening room.

That being said, I looked at (and called some of the following manufacturers; pricing of their least expensive MQA DAC in parenthesis.

Audirvana is a software supplier
Auralic (changed their minds about MQA),
Bel Canto ($14K),
Bluesound is lower quality than I/we need
Berkeley ($20K),
Cary DMS-500 seems to be a streamer with DAC ($5,000)
Meridian (the Prime is $2K plus LPS, their LPS is another $1,750. In addition, it is a USB only DAC/amp, I need a DAC with a BNC coaxial input)
The Prime might work for some people here though.
Krell ($3750 but no mention of MQA), and
Mark Levinson ($21K)

I don't think Roon nor Lumin make DACs.

For $900 it seems one can add a Ethernet Bridge which is MQA compatible to your existing $5K PS audio DAC. Actually a superior option for a few people.

NOW, Bel Canto may be coming out with a new line of DACs soon (2-6 months?) which "will" be MQA compatible. Might be $3K and might be $6K - I'm just guessing. There seems to be a market (of at least me) for a DAC only, that is MQA compatible - in the $2K range though. I'd think the Bel Canto might be more but maybe they will make an announcement in Jan.

As far as I can tell, if you have a personal audio system there are a couple of options for large improvements, like the Dragonfly Red and Black.
Otherwise, doesn't it seem the Mytek Brooklyn, with, for me, the unnecessary headphone amp, is the only game in town?

 

[thyname]

I emailed TIDAL with some questions about how to stream their service, leaving my laptop and desktop out of the music chain. Their "help" was useless - cut and paste something from their FAQs which I'd already read twice. The guy did say these are the current (October, 2017) partners. TIDAL knows squat about MQA, at least anyone you can find on the phone or in customer support knows nothing. They had to have spent tens of thousands, at the least, on their TIDAL Masters "program"; they sure seem disinterested in explaining it. Or, maybe there are 10,000 kids streaming with their portable system for every one of "us", so who cares.

MQA partners they offered:
* Bluesound/NAD
* Cary Audio
* Aurender
* Meridian
* Bel Canto
* Auralic
* Audirvana plus
* Roon
*Lumin

INSERT: I am trying to assemble what I thought would be a high-end system (started in complete ignorance with a budget of $3000, moved to $7000, now expecting $10K won't get the job done). I realize $10K is the rock bottom floor for "high-end"! My rig might look something like LCD-4 or HE-1000 headphones, (add a cable); microZotl MZ2 tube-based amplifier (add a LPS and 110v and 12v cables); DAC to be named later, with BNC input and MQA compatible (add power cord and potentially another LPS, and analogue interconnect); streamer (add yet another LPS, power cord, USB cord if BNC out is not an option, USB conditioner and LPS and another USB cord, tablet to control the streamer). $2K for headphones, $1.5K for amp, $1.5K for DAC, and $2K for streamer = $7K (which really equals $11K, hopefully). I already have a (Isotek IVO3 Polaris) power conditioner and fortunately it will be easy to install a 20 amp dedicated circuit with a hospital or audiophile grade outlet in my study/listening room.

That being said, I looked at (and called some of the following manufacturers; pricing of their least expensive MQA DAC in parenthesis.

Audirvana is a software supplier
Auralic (changed their minds about MQA),
Bel Canto ($14K),
Bluesound is lower quality than I/we need
Berkeley ($20K),
Cary DMS-500 seems to be a streamer with DAC ($5,000)
Meridian (the Prime is $2K plus LPS, their LPS is another $1,750. In addition, it is a USB only DAC/amp, I need a DAC with a BNC coaxial input)
The Prime might work for some people here though.
Krell ($3750 but no mention of MQA), and
Mark Levinson ($21K)

I don't think Roon nor Lumin make DACs.

For $900 it seems one can add a Ethernet Bridge which is MQA compatible to your existing $5K PS audio DAC. Actually a superior option for a few people.

NOW, Bel Canto may be coming out with a new line of DACs soon (2-6 months?) which "will" be MQA compatible. Might be $3K and might be $6K - I'm just guessing. There seems to be a market (of at least me) for a DAC only, that is MQA compatible - in the $2K range though. I'd think the Bel Canto might be more but maybe they will make an announcement in Jan.

As far as I can tell, if you have a personal audio system there are a couple of options for large improvements, like the Dragonfly Red and Black.
Otherwise, doesn't it seem the Mytek Brooklyn, with, for me, the unnecessary headphone amp, is the only game in town?

I appreciate you replying my OP from February.

Just to let you know, I got myself a Lumin T1 a few months back, and very happy with it. It checks all the boxes (and yes! it has DAC built in), Roon Ready, MQA first unfold, even through Roon, etc. It retails for $5,000 but I got it used for less than half that. I think you can buy it new for $4,000 at Ciamara and other dealers though.

 

[watchdog507]

I emailed TIDAL with some questions about how to stream their service, leaving my laptop and desktop out of the music chain. Their "help" was useless - cut and paste something from their FAQs which I'd already read twice. The guy did say these are the current (October, 2017) partners. TIDAL knows squat about MQA, at least anyone you can find on the phone or in customer support knows nothing. They had to have spent tens of thousands, at the least, on their TIDAL Masters "program"; they sure seem disinterested in explaining it. Or, maybe there are 10,000 kids streaming with their portable system for every one of "us", so who cares.

MQA partners they offered:
* Bluesound/NAD
* Cary Audio
* Aurender
* Meridian
* Bel Canto
* Auralic
* Audirvana plus
* Roon
*Lumin

INSERT: I am trying to assemble what I thought would be a high-end system (started in complete ignorance with a budget of $3000, moved to $7000, now expecting $10K won't get the job done). I realize $10K is the rock bottom floor for "high-end"! My rig might look something like LCD-4 or HE-1000 headphones, (add a cable); microZotl MZ2 tube-based amplifier (add a LPS and 110v and 12v cables); DAC to be named later, with BNC input and MQA compatible (add power cord and potentially another LPS, and analogue interconnect); streamer (add yet another LPS, power cord, USB cord if BNC out is not an option, USB conditioner and LPS and another USB cord, tablet to control the streamer). $2K for headphones, $1.5K for amp, $1.5K for DAC, and $2K for streamer = $7K (which really equals $11K, hopefully). I already have a (Isotek IVO3 Polaris) power conditioner and fortunately it will be easy to install a 20 amp dedicated circuit with a hospital or audiophile grade outlet in my study/listening room.

That being said, I looked at (and called some of the following manufacturers; pricing of their least expensive MQA DAC in parenthesis.

Audirvana is a software supplier
Auralic (changed their minds about MQA),
Bel Canto ($14K),
Bluesound is lower quality than I/we need
Berkeley ($20K),
Cary DMS-500 seems to be a streamer with DAC ($5,000)
Meridian (the Prime is $2K plus LPS, their LPS is another $1,750. In addition, it is a USB only DAC/amp, I need a DAC with a BNC coaxial input)
The Prime might work for some people here though.
Krell ($3750 but no mention of MQA), and
Mark Levinson ($21K)

I don't think Roon nor Lumin make DACs.

For $900 it seems one can add a Ethernet Bridge which is MQA compatible to your existing $5K PS audio DAC. Actually a superior option for a few people.

NOW, Bel Canto may be coming out with a new line of DACs soon (2-6 months?) which "will" be MQA compatible. Might be $3K and might be $6K - I'm just guessing. There seems to be a market (of at least me) for a DAC only, that is MQA compatible - in the $2K range though. I'd think the Bel Canto might be more but maybe they will make an announcement in Jan.

As far as I can tell, if you have a personal audio system there are a couple of options for large improvements, like the Dragonfly Red and Black.
Otherwise, doesn't it seem the Mytek Brooklyn, with, for me, the unnecessary headphone amp, is the only game in town?

I've ordered a Bridge II for my PS Audio Directstream. I ordered it primarily for Roon and MQA from Tidal. I'll be able to bypass a computer and work directly from the DAC with the Bridge. It was ordered a week ago. I'm counting the seconds.

 

[DelsFan]

I appreciate you replying my OP from February.

Just to let you know, I got myself a Lumin T1 a few months back, and very happy with it. It checks all the boxes (and yes! it has DAC built in), Roon Ready, MQA first unfold, even through Roon, etc. It retails for $5,000 but I got it used for less than half that. I think you can buy it new for $4,000 at Ciamara and other dealers though.

Thanks for the update; in the time between when I posted and now I've read a little about Digital Audio Streamers. $5K seems (seemed) like a lot, $4K sounds better. I think Cary audio and PS Audio make something in this price range too; the Cary (DMS-500) having some appeal to me because my old (Linn) CD player only has one digital out - BNC coax - and the Cary allows for a coaxial digital input. Alternatively, the Lumin has no coaxial input provision, but does offer an HDMI output; and I think and HDMI cable will function will up to 30' or more - allowing one to watch youtube or Netflix or Amazon Prime on their television, maybe in another room, with good picture and superior sound quality?

HOWEVER, when you compare a Digital Audio Steamer to the separate components required to replace it, the $5K DAS (with DAC) calculates to be extremely reasonable.
Streamer ($2000)
Power cord for streamer ($200)
USB cord ($150)
USB conditioner ($650)
USB cord to DAC ($150)
Linear Power Supply ($900)
Power cord for LPS ($200)
DAC ($2000)

$6200 compared to even $5000 plus a really good power cord and no more digital interconnects; hmmmm, seems $5300 is less than $6200, and the DAS is all in one box too.
A little flexibility is lost, but surely sound quality should be improved by not having all those extra interconnects and devices in the chain.
Your solution seems like a good one.


I want to like/own a Lumin product just because for months I've been asking questions about how to stream without the audio signal going through one's computer; here is the only complete explanation I've ever seen:
http://www.luminmusic.com/quickstart.html

 

[thyname]

Thanks for the update; in the time between when I posted and now I've read a little about Digital Audio Streamers. $5K seems (seemed) like a lot, $4K sounds better. I think Cary audio and PS Audio make something in this price range too; the Cary (DMS-500) having some appeal to me because my old (Linn) CD player only has one digital out - BNC coax - and the Cary allows for a coaxial digital input. Alternatively, the Lumin has no coaxial input provision, but does offer an HDMI output; and I think and HDMI cable will function will up to 30' or more - allowing one to watch youtube or Netflix or Amazon Prime on their television, maybe in another room, with good picture and superior sound quality?

HOWEVER, when you compare a Digital Audio Steamer to the separate components required to replace it, the $5K DAS (with DAC) calculates to be extremely reasonable.
Streamer ($2000)
Power cord for streamer ($200)
USB cord ($150)
USB conditioner ($650)
USB cord to DAC ($150)
Linear Power Supply ($900)
Power cord for LPS ($200)
DAC ($2000)

$6200 compared to even $5000 plus a really good power cord and no more digital interconnects; hmmmm, seems $5300 is less than $6200, and the DAS is all in one box too.
A little flexibility is lost, but surely sound quality should be improved by not having all those extra interconnects and devices in the chain.
Your solution seems like a good one.


I want to like/own a Lumin product just because for months I've been asking questions about how to stream without the audio signal going through one's computer; here is the only complete explanation I've ever seen:
http://www.luminmusic.com/quickstart.html

That’s exactly right! Your math is 100% correct.

However, that’s on my speakers setup. On my headphones, I still have the “spaghetti “ solution, as you can see from my signature, along with several expensive cables from Wireworld and XLO

 

[ajheyl]

I only know of Mytek Brooklyn (about $2,000) that is MQA capable. And some expensive Meridian DACs.

Does anybody know of anything cheaper that is MQA-capable? Hopefully Roon Tested or Ready. And, hopefully includes Amp.

Thanks!

The iFi iDSD has a new firmware and I updated yesterday. I stream tidal and it’s terrific though my schiit Valhalla on my he 600 s

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I'm streaming tidal over my Oppo 205. I didn't buy it for that but it still sounds good. And the headamp is surprisingly good. At 40/100 the headphone volume on my HD 600s is starting to get uncomfortably loud.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Ok, time to get a list of MQA capable desktop DACs under 500 euros. The only one I know of is the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital. Not without issues but looks pretty good overall. Anyone?

 

[socksrolleddown]

Ok, time to get a list of MQA capable desktop DACs under 500 euros. The only one I know of is the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital. Not without issues but looks pretty good overall. Anyone?

How about:

SMSL M500
iFi Zen

?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

How about:

SMSL M500
iFi Zen

?

Thanks. I saw those and I don't like the bizarre form factor. I'm gonna probably eventually get a Mytek. It will blow my budget but I don't see anything I want.

 

[DelsFan]

Thanks. I saw those and I don't like the bizarre form factor. I'm gonna probably eventually get a Mytek. It will blow my budget but I don't see anything I want.

Probably below your budget, but also your standards (doesn't that happen to all of us), Audioquest has come out with an update/upgrade to the Dragonfly Black that is $299. It has a better DAC than the Black, and also includes some or all of what comes with the jitterbug. This assuming you are using a (less than optimal, I guess) USB output from your computer to stream music. While this is a lot better than nothing, it sounds like you are looking for something the next step up(?)...

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Probably below your budget, but also your standards (doesn't that happen to all of us), Audioquest has come out with an update/upgrade to the Dragonfly Black that is $299. It has a better DAC than the Black, and also includes some or all of what comes with the jitterbug. This assuming you are using a (less than optimal, I guess) USB output from your computer to stream music. While this is a lot better than nothing, it sounds like you are looking for something the next step up(?)...

Thanks. No, I started out looking for an MQA-capable desktop DAC. And I thought that I would not spend more than 500 euros since I can get another node 2i for 500. The node 2i is not a USB DAC but it can play stuff from the music services I have including Tidal hifi and also samba but I would like an actual USB desktop DAC so I don't have to turn on my system to listen at my desk. That's why the Pre Box S2 looked like it might be a good choice. My systems stay up for months at a time so the lack of a power switch on the S2 could be an issue for me. At this point I'm saving up for one of the Myteks since I didn't find anything else that has what I want.