Tidal Masters & MQA Thread!

[Left Channel]

make sure you don't get the Android One version, as that doesn't have hardware MQA support (to my understanding, I could be wrong).

That is correct. I've tested it.

There is a myth that only UAPP will play MQA correctly, and it is not true.

True when speaking of playing through the internal DAC. But you do need UAPP for USB output.

Edit: Seeing Left Channel's last post I wonder if I misunderstood: Are you looking to output through USB?

@Trunksleo at this point that's what we're all wondering. Connecting a phone's amplified earphone jack to the Marantz line-level inputs is not something Marantz would advise you to do. Connecting via USB would be OK. Or are you asking questions for two separate projects?

 

[Trunksleo]

That is correct. I've tested it.



True when speaking of playing through the internal DAC. But you do need UAPP for USB output.



@Trunksleo at this point that's what we're all wondering. Connecting a phone's amplified earphone jack to the Marantz line-level inputs is not something Marantz would advise you to do. Connecting via USB would be OK. Or are you asking questions for two separate projects?

Im asking if with the phone can i make the same thing with the usb dac like ifi black micro. Because im looking for buy a new phone so if i can use the quad dac from g7 to connect to the marantz and use tidal master (mqa)

 

[Left Channel]

Im asking if with the phone can i make the same thing with the usb dac like ifi black micro. Because im looking for buy a new phone so if i can use the quad dac from g7 to connect to the marantz and use tidal master (mqa)

OK. Connecting a phone's amplified earphone jack to the Marantz line-level inputs is not something Marantz would advise you to do. Connecting via USB would be OK, but would require the UAPP app, and an external DAC (like the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital*, or one of the iFi units that has the MQA firmare and RCA or coax or optical outputs).

*Note: I was unable to drive the Pro-Ject with a V30. G6 and G7 models seem to be OK with it.

Note 2: also, the UAPP MQA add-on does 1x decode not MQA pass-through. So I still recommend a PC.

 

[Dannemand]

Im asking if with the phone can i make the same thing with the usb dac like ifi black micro. Because im looking for buy a new phone so if i can use the quad dac from g7 to connect to the marantz and use tidal master (mqa)

And the answer is you can. The phone would switch to Aux mode when you connect it (detecting an impedance of >600ohms) which is the best mode for feeding a pre-amp, integrated amp or powered speakers.

That said, I am tracking with @Left Channel's concern whether any phone is the best source for a receiver like the Marantz. V30/V35/V40/G7 deliver more power than probably any other phone: One of the features of their ESS 9218p DAC is that multiple parallel DAC units combine to multiply output current without increasing noise proportionately, thus requiring less amplification by the OpAmp. But still, it was designed for headphones and IEMs.

But seriously, if you are looking for a new phone anyway, then why not get the best audio source you can among phones, which happens to also have excellent MQA support. Particularly when it can be had for ~$225. Then you can test it for yourself.

 

[Dannemand]

True when speaking of playing through the internal DAC. But you do need UAPP for USB output.

Yes, we're in sync!

 

[baronasm]

Does Android 9 no longer resample all USB output to 48 kHz? Last time I tested it, on an LG G7 One running Android 9, the Tidal app was not able to bypass the system's resampling of all USB signals to 48 kHz. Only the UAPP app was able to output the full resolution via USB. UAPP supports Tidal, Qobuz, local files, and more. (@Trunksleo I'm still concentrating only on USB output here. If you have more questions about the V30 and the G7 One, see my full report via the link in my second sentence above, and other posts in that thread.)

Newest Tidal app can bypass android SRC and then listening MQA tracks, you have 24/96 signal through usb audio out.

 

[Left Channel]

Newest Tidal app can bypass android SRC and then listening MQA tracks, you have 24/96 signal through usb audio out.

I'm still only seeing 48 kHz undecoded output from the Tidal app via USB to an external DAC. UAPP works fine. I tried two phones, a G7 and a Pixel 3, both on Android 9.

My Tidal app was last updated Feb 22nd. Is there a newer update, and is this documented somewhere?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I wouldn't recommend it as a long term solution, but I have satisfactory results playing MQA via the Tidal android app on a Samsung phone out the analog jack and into a Yamaha integrated amp.

The Black Label micro somebody recommended or even the PC app over USB into your integrated amp using the software unfold in the desktop app etc. is a better idea.

 

[iFi audio]

Head spinning yet? Welcome to the rabbit hole.

You're cruel

 

[pablohoney]

The Tidal iOS app has been updated and Master quality is now available. Can the iPhone XS Max play this quality level and what headphones are needed to experience this sound quality level? I currently have Bowers and Wilkins P7 Wireless and Beoplay E8 headphones.

 

[JM1979]

The Tidal iOS app has been updated and Master quality is now available. Can the iPhone XS Max play this quality level and what headphones are needed to experience this sound quality level? I currently have Bowers and Wilkins P7 Wireless and Beoplay E8 headphones.

No way?! I’ll have to check this out. I’ve been complaining about the lack of MQA via IOS for a while.

I don’t think the iPhone has the dac capable of decoding MQA. I could be wrong and I also don’t think Apple publishes the specifics on their DAC. You are most likely going to need a dac (or dac/amp) to hear MQA quality. Ifi and chord are two manufacturers I’ve used with my iPhone with success.

 

[JM1979]

I’m not seeing anything in the App or online regarding MQA on ios.

 

[jonstatt]

The Tidal iOS app has been updated and Master quality is now available. Can the iPhone XS Max play this quality level and what headphones are needed to experience this sound quality level? I currently have Bowers and Wilkins P7 Wireless and Beoplay E8 headphones.

They haven’t released any guidance that I can find. But I assume it’s just doing the first unfold only on the app so it will work with everything. But using Bluetooth or the dongle will be capped. I will try connecting an external dac later and see what it reports .

I’m not seeing anything in the App or online regarding MQA on ios.

 

[pablohoney]

I’m not seeing anything in the App or online regarding MQA on ios.

It’s there. See attached picture.

 

[JM1979]

Thank you both! I looked under settings thinking there would be a choice from ‘Hifi’ to ‘Masters’ and didn’t see it.


*edit* - turns out my app hadn’t updated. Just did a manual update and I see the masters quality option in settings and on songs/albums.