[captblaze]

I considered Amarra for Tidal on Windows, but fled when I saw all the bug reports. And Amarra 4 Luxe apparently has library limitations and problems galore. But Sonic Studio has announced plans for a release that would rely on iTunes for library management while using Amarra primarily for sound quality.

I would rather get my money back (fat chance of that). the software is over a year old and is still unacceptable

 

[Left Channel]

Not yet sure how this will work with Tidal, but here is the Sonore MQA news.

I'll test my ultraRendu with the LMS plug-in for Tidal soon.

Darko: MQA support comes to Sonore streamers
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2018/01/mqa-support-comes-to-sonore-streamers/

Sonore announcement
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/...trarendu/?page=38&tab=comments#comment-764706

 

[audiomonkey777]

Lots of arguments for and against MQA as ever. I might be a simple soul but some of it still comes down to taste. Some tracks I like better in MQA (using Tidal Masters) via Mac book, some not. I am sure there is a lot I don't know and the version I am comparing to might not be the greatest but it gives us all something else to explore and talk about at least.

 

[DarwinOSX]

I like MQA quite a lot but the mastering matters just as much as any other format.
I’ve read all the arguments for and against and lost interest in debating it.
I do find a lot of the anti-MQA people appear to have never listened to it....

 

[DarwinOSX]

Not yet sure how this will work with Tidal, but here is the Sonore MQA news.

I'll test my ultraRendu with the LMS plug-in for Tidal soon.

Darko: MQA support comes to Sonore streamers
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2018/01/mqa-support-comes-to-sonore-streamers/

Sonore announcement
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/...trarendu/?page=38&tab=comments#comment-764706

First unfold only which is odd since Tidal already does that. I prefer full MQA and turn off first unfold in Tidal.

 

[audiomonkey777]

I like MQA quite a lot but the mastering matters just as much as any other format.
I’ve read all the arguments for and against and lost interest in debating it.
I do find a lot of the anti-MQA people appear to have never listened to it....

Agree. Some folks need to give it a try and then come back and argue their points. Anyway, some listening awaits...

 

[Left Channel]

Not yet sure how this will work with Tidal, but here is the Sonore MQA news.

I'll test my ultraRendu with the LMS plug-in for Tidal soon.

Darko: MQA support comes to Sonore streamers
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2018/01/mqa-support-comes-to-sonore-streamers/

Sonore announcement
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/...trarendu/?page=38&tab=comments#comment-764706

First unfold only which is odd since Tidal already does that. I prefer full MQA and turn off first unfold in Tidal.

Yes I've since figured out what they're talking about is downloaded MQA files only. No MQA streaming unless your player software does its own decoding or can supply a bit perfect MQA stream to your DAC. The LMS plug-in for Tidal does neither at this time. The Roon folks are working on MQA decoding and as far as I know can already deliver the pass-through bit perfect signal to your DAC.

 

[DarwinOSX]

Yes I've since figured out what they're talking about is downloaded MQA files only. No MQA streaming unless your player software does its own decoding or can supply a bit perfect MQA stream to your DAC. The LMS plug-in for Tidal does neither at this time. The Roon folks are working on MQA decoding and as far as I know can already deliver the pass-through bit perfect signal to your DAC.

Oh that makes sense. Scratch another one off the list.
Roon will currently pass through bit perfect so you can do MQA via Roon using an MQA DAC.

 

[NobbyChad]

I was hoping that at least a review of the master and engineering notes was part of the certification. If not it is a bit disingenuous and makes it seem a bit more shady (like there wasn't that cloud already).

I doubt very

I was hoping that at least a review of the master and engineering notes was part of the certification. If not it is a bit disingenuous and makes it seem a bit more shady (like there wasn't that cloud already).

I doubt very much that the artist ever has a sign off of the master even without MQA, they may be asked an opinion or input, but approval of engineering by the artist?

 

[nugget2013]

what albums are in 192khz? i just want to listen to see how it sounds. i've only found 96khz stuff so far.

 

[chris6878]

MQA is supposed to be on Mobile in a week or so. See DarKo on this.
Also Roon is supposed to be close to working with MQA. If I can play MQA via Roon using their direct connect to my Kef LS50W speakers that would be amazing.
I do think the Meridian Explorer 2 and Dragonfly Red are bargains but I wanted a full decoder not a renderer which is why I chose the Meridian over the Dragonfly at the same price. I was interested in the iFi Nano iDSD BL until I found out it too is only a renderer. I'm very interested in the Mytek Clef which was just released I believe and is a full decoder.

Well any info on MQA being portable via tidal yet?

 

[canthearyou]

what albums are in 192khz? i just want to listen to see how it sounds. i've only found 96khz stuff so far.

Supertramp - Crime of the Century. It's says it in the title but I don't have a MQA DAC to check.

 

[d3vi0uz]

I like MQA quite a lot but the mastering matters just as much as any other format.
I’ve read all the arguments for and against and lost interest in debating it.
I do find a lot of the anti-MQA people appear to have never listened to it....

+1

I've listened to a few Masters 24/192 tracks (according to my Meridian Explorer 2 notification lights) and they sound discernibly better (more detail, fuller range, etc) than their HiFi version, and significantly better than their Tidal Premium version.

And I've listened to other Masters 24/192 tracks on Tidal that sounded no different than HiFi or Premium...

Furthermore, I've listened to a few tracks at 16/44 or 24/96 that sounded discernibly better than the 24/192 Masters version...

Conclusion:

The Recording-Mixing-Mastering and source of the track matter first, then the resolution and file format. Even a 32/384 file can't capture/reproduce what wasn't there to begin with nor transform into greatness what was poorly recorded (or re-recorded) in the first place.

 

[SubSTI]

Well any info on MQA being portable via tidal yet?

Kevin (TIDAL)

Feb 12, 9:13 AM EST

Hello,

Thank you for contacting TIDAL Member Support.

The MQA version is only available in the latest desktop client version. It can be downloaded at tidal.com/download. Masters will be available on mobile and web applications at a later date.

Best Regards,

Kevin - Technical Support Specialist
TIDAL Member Support

 

[AudioThief]

Just want to chime in and say my thoughts on this:

I've used Spotify or almost 10 years and been a paying premium member for 8. And that won't change. However, I gave Tidal a try since it was supposedly higher res. I immediately felt that the Tidal premium sound quality was better than spotify but a small margin. Enough to make me shell out for the HiFi membership.

To my ears, when I compare Spotify "high quality" vs Tidal Masters quality, it is obvious to my ears that the Masters tracks are deeper sounding, less digital glare and more space around instruments. A tad bit more detail may be present. But most importantly and most notably is the lack of digital glare in the recordings. I think Tidal Masters sound absolutely magnificent.