Tidal Lossless Streaming
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damdl
100+ Head-Fier
Hey! I'm new to this thread, this must've been already mentioned and discussed but I'm curious what does the community thinks about this...
I have been using Tidal for a year and a half and combining it with Audirvana it's amazing but I have to admit that MQA seems like a complete waste. At first, I thought that it might be because my DAC/AMP didn't support MQA (I mainly use a chord Mojo - the system unfolds the first part of the data and sends it to the DAC) so I started fiddling with other DAC/AMP's (IFI zen DAC, hip DAC, and black label) results... The same. When switching to Lossless the music seems either the same or even better... was reading about this and it might be due to the interpolation filters present in MQA, I'm a hater of measures and charts and honestly, I'm talking by my hearing and the gear that I've used but I'm curious about what the community thinks.
I have been using Tidal for a year and a half and combining it with Audirvana it's amazing but I have to admit that MQA seems like a complete waste. At first, I thought that it might be because my DAC/AMP didn't support MQA (I mainly use a chord Mojo - the system unfolds the first part of the data and sends it to the DAC) so I started fiddling with other DAC/AMP's (IFI zen DAC, hip DAC, and black label) results... The same. When switching to Lossless the music seems either the same or even better... was reading about this and it might be due to the interpolation filters present in MQA, I'm a hater of measures and charts and honestly, I'm talking by my hearing and the gear that I've used but I'm curious about what the community thinks.
sonitus mirus
Headphoneus Supremus
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MQA should sound identical to any lossless or even a good quality lossy version if the exact same source is being used. MQA versions can have a slightly different master or possibly even what most would traditionally identify as a mix. It depends on the music. If you find that you do not prefer MQA to lossless music that you are familiar with, it is possible there exists a difference that is audible.
What was a concern that I am aware of was that MQA-enabled devices could use the MQA filters when playing content flagged as such, but this filter would remain enabled afterwards when a non-MQA track was played, and this filter was not ideal as shown in technical observations. It's all very slight when it comes to audible variations, but if you are hearing a difference, go with the configuration that you prefer best.
Me, I don't hear a difference when it can be shown with measurements and charts that is should not, but I do have an issue with the foundation of how MQA is attempting to insert itself into the market.
What was a concern that I am aware of was that MQA-enabled devices could use the MQA filters when playing content flagged as such, but this filter would remain enabled afterwards when a non-MQA track was played, and this filter was not ideal as shown in technical observations. It's all very slight when it comes to audible variations, but if you are hearing a difference, go with the configuration that you prefer best.
Me, I don't hear a difference when it can be shown with measurements and charts that is should not, but I do have an issue with the foundation of how MQA is attempting to insert itself into the market.
Soundizer
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Basically every time i close TIDAL there is an error “Application unexpectedly Quit’.
Tidal don’t provide any support. No one to chat to.
I contacted Apple and they suggested it might get fixed when Tidal updates App to Silicon. It is still only Intel based.
Billheiser
Headphoneus Supremus
Have had no trouble with the MI chip playing Tidal, or Tidal via Audivarna.
Soundizer
Headphoneus Supremus
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When you Quit Tidal on your M1 Mac, do u get a “Application Unexpectedly Quit Error?’
Billheiser
Headphoneus Supremus
No, it's operating normally.
Billheiser
Headphoneus Supremus
You likely have already done this, but check for updates on both Tidal and Audirvana.
Also FYI, on 12/18/20, Audirvana sent a email to subscribers that said:
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Soundizer
Headphoneus Supremus
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Many thanks. I don’t use Audirvana and reinstalled TIDAL. still have this annoying issue. Concerned there is problem with my M1 MAC MINI. Do you have this issue without using Audirvana and just on TIDAL directly?
Billheiser
Headphoneus Supremus
Sorry to report that I'm not having ANY issues with Tidal!
BadgerRivFan
100+ Head-Fier
Apologies if this is answered elsewhere in this 300 page thread, but I couldn’t find an answer doing a search. So here is my question I’m hoping you can help with...
I just received my first DAP with an android operating system. Since the advent of the smartphone I’ve only owned Apple products. So my question is within the Tidal native app for iOS there is a crossfade feature you can turn on in settings. In the android version of the Tidal app, I can’t find this feature. Is it available on android? If not, does it have something to do with MQA? Also, if it is not available is there a 3rd party app option that has it? I downloaded the UAPP app but I can’t find it there either.
Just to clarify, I’m interested in crossfade and not crossfeed for headphones.
You’re help in guiding an android newbie would be appreciated.
I just received my first DAP with an android operating system. Since the advent of the smartphone I’ve only owned Apple products. So my question is within the Tidal native app for iOS there is a crossfade feature you can turn on in settings. In the android version of the Tidal app, I can’t find this feature. Is it available on android? If not, does it have something to do with MQA? Also, if it is not available is there a 3rd party app option that has it? I downloaded the UAPP app but I can’t find it there either.
Just to clarify, I’m interested in crossfade and not crossfeed for headphones.
You’re help in guiding an android newbie would be appreciated.
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Even on legacy mode or whatever Apple calls it?
I don't know this is definitive answer but any service that changes the digital feed will break the MQA unfold*. But if your DAP doesn't do MQA or doesn't have analogue outputs then maybe you don't care about that so I'll let someone know knowledgeable than me chime in.
Why device do u have by the way?
(*Unless done post processing into analogue)
BadgerRivFan
100+ Head-Fier
It’s the new HiBy R6 2020, which does support MQA. I’m not really sure if MQA is the reason why the android version of Tidal doesn’t have the crossfade feature, but that is my suspicion...
rkw
Headphoneus Supremus
Nothing to do with MQA. They removed crossfade because it was causing playback problems. It was removed from both iOS and Android but after some time got restored to iOS only.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TIdaL/comm...rossfade_feature_on_android_devices/?sort=old
The technical issue is being able to play gapless from one track to the next, and in the case of crossfade even more difficult because there is some overlap. Many music players cannot even play gapless, nevermind crossfade.
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