Never mind. @hmscott's post has much more detail.
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The useless function is needed for streaming.If the collection has its own collection of music, then it is a waste of money.It degrades the sound quality.Apart from Tidal, are there any other good reasons for buying an MQA-capable DAC? Do you believe other hi-res streamers could adopt it?
A Chord Mojo owner here, looking for a desktop dac+headphone amp upgrade. How much of an upgrade, do you reckon, would the D90+A90 (or other similarly priced amp) stack be over the Mojo? Is the D90 closer to the Mojo or the Qutest in terms of quality? I don't care for DSD, Bluetooth and care little for MQA, though the latter might come handy at some point if Qobuz decide to adapt it.
There's few alternative choices even now, and moving forward it looks like all devices capable of implementing MQA will come with it.Apart from Tidal, are there any other good reasons for buying an MQA-capable DAC? Do you believe other hi-res streamers could adopt it?
I agree - it's a little pedantic, but let's go with itOK, I may be a little pedantic here, but I think it is both incorrect and confusing to refer to MQA models as "Gustard A22 Rev. 2" and "Topping D90 Rev. 2." This implies that these are new upgraded versions of the base model that added MQA and superseded them (like the SMSL SU-8 V2 DAC, which made some running improvements and replaced the V1 at the same price). The base Gustard DAC-A22 without MQA still exists; it costs an additional $50 to get the version with MQA (which I don't think is available quite yet). Similarly the base Topping D90 is still a current model, the D90 MQA is a separate model (which also includes a major upgrade of the XMOS chip) and costs an additional $100.
I looked at the Gustard A18, but it doesn't have an optical input and it's a bit smaller package as well, maybe paired with the SMSL M200? I also looked at the SMSL M400 with MQA + M200, or Gustard A22 Rev. 2 XU216 + MQA support + M200 amp, or maybe wait forever for the Monoprice Liquid Platinum Balanced DAC + AMP, all not quite here yet.I'm planning on getting a new DAC in a few weeks and am leaning to the D90 MQA since virtually all my music listening is via Tidal. Though I am also considering non-MQA DACs such as the Schiit Bifrost 2 (though it's been backordered for a while and the availability date keeps getting pushed back), the Denafrips Ares II, and the just announced (but not yet available) Gustard DAC A18, which undercuts the base D90 by a lot in price with roughly the same tech. I'd be very interested in the Gustard DAC-A22, but with or without MQA it would bust my budget and force me to wait at least another month. Also it's size (roughly 13 x 10 inches) is starting to edge into unwieldy status for my desktop.
OK, I may be a little pedantic here, but I think it is both incorrect and confusing to refer to MQA models as "Gustard A22 Rev. 2" and "Topping D90 Rev. 2." This implies that these are new upgraded versions of the base model that added MQA and superseded them (like the SMSL SU-8 V2 DAC, which made some running improvements and replaced the V1 at the same price). The base Gustard DAC-A22 without MQA still exists; it costs an additional $50 to get the version with MQA (which I don't think is available quite yet). Similarly the base Topping D90 is still a current model, the D90 MQA is a separate model (which also includes a major upgrade of the XMOS chip) and costs an additional $100.
I'm planning on getting a new DAC in a few weeks and am leaning to the D90 MQA since virtually all my music listening is via Tidal. Though I am also considering non-MQA DACs such as the Schiit Bifrost 2 (though it's been backordered for a while and the availability date keeps getting pushed back), the Denafrips Ares II, and the just announced (but not yet available) Gustard DAC A18, which undercuts the base D90 by a lot in price with roughly the same tech. I'd be very interested in the Gustard DAC-A22, but with or without MQA it would bust my budget and force me to wait at least another month. Also it's size (roughly 13 x 10 inches) is starting to edge into unwieldy status for my desktop.
ATM, I am not considering the M400, perhaps for a dumb reason--at least in pictures the designs seems to be trying too hard to be very cool and make a fashion statement--sort of like the Beats of DACs. (OK, I'm 66; SMSL's marketing is probably not targeting me.) Not that I'm adverse to aesthetics--I'm waiting on a ZMF Aeolus that I ordered in part because it's just so damn beautiful. But the M400's looks just rub me the wrong way. Of course, there have been no reviews of it yet and I'd certainly consider it if it got good reviews by reviewers I trust (by which I do not mean Amir and ASR getting all excited that test tones produced infinitesimally less distortion in the M400 than last week's FOTM DAC which was already well under any level audible to man). TBH, the DAC I really want is the Denafrips, but since I listen to everything on Tidal I keep thinking the MQA decoder would make sense for me. With free shipping and no sales tax, the difference in price is only $30 (the Bifrost 2 is almost exactly the same price with shipping and tax, which Schiit charges).I was in a very similar position as you, all the devices you mention in your post were ones that I myself considered as well as the new SMSL M400. The Dac A18 reminds me too much of the SMSL 200 not a fan. the denafrips is a compelling choice different beast all together ladder Dac, maybe down the road for a different flavor. Decision, decisions. Good luck any of those are good devices to consider.
First thought, there's a filter selection menu in the "boot up" settings - power off from the back, hold down the left front button while flipping the power switch on the back.Anyone find the Topping D90 fatiguing? Im using the PASS headphone amp with Stealth Hybrid wire and man- the topping D90 its super clean dac with all the detail but I find is there ever a thing as too much detail in the highs? After some time listening I need to take a break. I even hooked up my 5 year old Dual Burr Brown Teac (UD301) DAC to see what warmth I was missing- sure enough the TEAC proved itself much nosier but warm but not as detailed. I needed to EQ w/ APO for the D90 to sound nearly perfect for me. My headphones are Etymotic ER4P and the Sennheiser HD600 along with a bunch of other IEM and over the ear cans. I use Amazon FLAC HD files upto 24bit - 192khz primarily. The Topping has only been at my home for 3 days playing it non stop trying to break it in- I even took out my TG Audio Power Cable to tame it down a bit- it did but not enough. I am using the Topping included USB wire and that was an improvement over the horrible Monstercable USB - I did order the Kimber USB should be here by next week. I know everyone keeps talking about how great the D90 is BUT seriously this thing is shimmering bright- detailed like no other dac I ever heard but far from warm. Don't be afraid to say what you think D90 owners let me hear ya!
This NAIM?MQA can only be useful for Tidal users. For the rest of us, it makes no sense to lay out $ 100 more than some steel manufacturers refuse MQA. MQA is a streaming high-RES(high sampling rate) with a smaller size and slightly worse sound quality compared to normal high-RES.
ПС.Naim declined to support MQA!!!
Thank you so much for your response. I read the manual while I waited for unit to be shipped- yea i'm like that... First thing I did when hooking it up was turn off volume in menu to make D90 a DAC only- I also disabled the unused XLR inputs and I definetly turned off BT. Check check and check! - I have a dedicated power line in my set up- separate run only for audio to my circuit breaker- I use a Tripplite power strip/surge/conditioner for this set up as well. You don't have to access filters by menu reboot to my knowledge- you can use remote. I tried all the filters and kept 4 on figuring it would help. I hear very little difference w/filters honestly- I wish they made them more noticeable -maybe an update if people insist. I can say after day 3- the sound is mellowing out - so burn in is real on this D90 at least for all those nay sayers on break in period for electronics - the fact is I listen my Fiio Q5s to make sure I still can make legit comparisons while changing wires etc on D90 etc- the D90 is getting warmed up so to speak - for reals. I am actually happy with my Zcable Jazz4 - a much cheaper wire than the Stealth wire but much more mellow as well- I will keep switching - to my ears the Stealth wire was the best I ever heard- revealing everything (my friend gave it to me he has Perfect 8's and a ton of Stealth wire with VAC amps so on his system too the Stealth was the most revealing- but maybe on the D90 it's too much of a good thing- its crystal clear dont get me wrong- its just like a razzor blade on ice with a magnifying glass revealing and that can get too much after a while with this particular Stealth wire (it was north of $1900 for this wire alone - I know insane but it was a gift). With the TEAC the Stealth was perfect. I will keep trying both wires as break in continues... Kimber USB should be noticeable improvement I hope. When using a scalpal like the Etymotic ER4P you hear all the changes and the D90 is crazy revealing of everything! Its insane! I think i'm smitten.First thought, there's a filter selection menu in the "boot up" settings - power off from the back, hold down the left front button while flipping the power switch on the back.
There are a number of settings which might be of interest to you, and the rest of us, I'm going to point out the Filter settings which I think default to 3, with 4 being a "better" high's setting. Which could be "worse" for you, but I'm interested in using it - 62 year old hearing
"Lastly, if you check the user manual carefully, the FFT Spectrum will show the measured difference of those 6 digital filters, out of those Filter 3 and Filter 4 have the lowest ringing past 20 kHz, this is why I recommend using filter no.3 for a smoother top end or filter no.4 for more treble presence past 24 kHz. "
From that menu you can turn off the pre-amp - DAC only - fixed output volume, disable RCA or XLR output, Turn off BT completely, check out this link under "Tips & Tricks".
Another thought, there is a break-in period for the electronics which may "mellow" the sound over time, 150-200 hours?
Power filtering can help too, I don't have any consumer current recommendations, perhaps someone else has?
I'd be interested in how the Kimber sounds, I have SKW USB and XLR cables coming with the D90 MQA / A90, shipped today.