AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > The Lounge > General Audio Discussion

General Audio Discussion All other Audio Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-20-2018, 11:19 AM
FreddieFerric's Avatar
FreddieFerric FreddieFerric is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: NOLA
Posts: 2,296
Default MQA: Why We Should Resist It

For a forum dedicated to audiophiles as AA is, I find it somewhat disappointing we have had such a muted discussion of MQA and its effects on our beloved hobby. While I agree there has been some talk of the format here and there, I haven't been able to engage a meaningful conversation with all of you about MQA and why it should be resisted.

I must confess my first conscious awareness of MQA came in the form of catalog shopping and seeing various components that were stated to be MQA ready. My second awareness came in the form of the recent writings about the format in Stereophile and TAS, which seems on balance to be supportive of the format, and if that is not an accurate characterization, then at least resigned to it. I disagree with those writers and I am posting a series of links to very well though out articles which urge us to resist MQA entirely.

The first read is an excellent commentary by Jim Collinson of Linn. You should be able to get through his article within 10 minutes. I believe it sets an excellent frame of reference for the second link.

https://www.linn.co.uk/blog/mqa-is-bad-for-music


The second written under the pseudonym @Archimago is much longer, and explores the technical aspects of MQA first before tackling the philosophy behind the MQA effort. I found the article to be well reasoned, dispassionately presented, and very effective in laying bare the snake oil that MQA appears to be.

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/c...cautions-r701/

Last is an article that I assume most of you are already aware of in substance, which is the present scandal taking place over at TIDAL. This is relevant since TIDAL has partnered with MQA, and in consequence, provided it a tentacle into our hobby. While I am not a subscriber to TIDAL, and never will be, if MQA gets into Spotify and/or iTunes, it's game over.

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/201...beyonce-fraud/

This post is not offered in anyway as criticism to any member here who uses MQA and likes it. I would, however, ask that you post your experiences and reasons for it. For myself, I love this hobby, so my interest here is to make sure it remains an open multi-format, multi-codec hobby that promotes consumer choice and respects the freedom of individual choice.
__________________
McIntosh MA8000; McIntosh MC1502; Canton Vento Reference 1 DC; E.A.T. E-Flat; Soundsmith Paua Mk II; Technics SL 1210 MK5; Audio Technica AT-150 MLX; Tascam BR-20; Teac X1000R; Pioneer RT-707; Oppo UDP 205; Denon DCD A-100; HP All-In-One Touchscreen Server; JRiver MC 28; Woo Audio WA6; Shure SRH 1840; SVS SB 1000; Jolida 502BRC; Jolida JD9; VPI 16.5 RCM; Wireworld Oasis 8 Speaker Cables; Audoquest Columbia 72 DBS IC's; Panamax PM-5400 (source components only)

Last edited by FreddieFerric; 05-20-2018 at 11:56 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-20-2018, 11:47 AM
crwilli's Avatar
crwilli crwilli is online now
Racing Hoopties

 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bluffton SC
Posts: 9,768
Default

The topic of MQA has been discussed here but often it seems to evolve to controversy for many reasons. One of them was lack of information. After a degree, that causes the discussion to end with neutral corners and ‘agree to disagree’ alignment. That is our commitment to each other here.

I have moved from MQA is a potentially ‘evil empire’ to more of the position that, as long as it does no harm, doesn’t cost me more via Tidal/ROON than I am all for free higher resolution streaming.
__________________
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server
Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables,
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-20-2018, 12:00 PM
Antonmb's Avatar
Antonmb Antonmb is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northwest Washington (Mt Baker foothills)
Posts: 9,121
Default

There was a fairly extensive discussion here, including the post from CA as well as others:

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=42433

I agree with the concerns about the potential for a monopoly and the impact on the music industry and don’t see the need for MQA on CDs or downloads, but like Craig, I’ve moderated my position a bit and see no harm, and maybe value, in the use of MQA for streaming, since it may provide improved sound in more limited bandwidth.
__________________
Tony
D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-20-2018, 12:39 PM
audioguy3107's Avatar
audioguy3107 audioguy3107 is offline
Go Dawgs
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 5,468
Default

My view on MQA......If I have to buy one more version of Dire Straits Brothers in Arms I’m gonna kill myself.

- Buck
__________________
Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-20-2018, 12:46 PM
crwilli's Avatar
crwilli crwilli is online now
Racing Hoopties

 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bluffton SC
Posts: 9,768
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by audioguy3107 View Post
My view on MQA......If I have to buy one more version of Dire Straits Brothers in Arms I’m gonna kill myself.

- Buck


Ha, There is that! On top of that, you might have to buy a new DAC and that is a non-starter.
__________________
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server
Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables,
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-20-2018, 01:37 PM
Antonmb's Avatar
Antonmb Antonmb is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northwest Washington (Mt Baker foothills)
Posts: 9,121
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by audioguy3107 View Post
My view on MQA......If I have to buy one more version of Dire Straits Brothers in Arms I’m gonna kill myself.

- Buck
__________________
Tony
D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-20-2018, 02:05 PM
1KW 1KW is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Naples, Fl & Long Beach Island, NJ
Posts: 7,634
Default

Feel free to use the search function for the forum. MQA has been extensively debated here and other places on the internet. Some like it and others feel it is a trap for others to profit. I for one like it but its a free country and everyone has the right to make up there own mind. No point in repeating what has been posted in prior threads.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-20-2018, 03:47 PM
JBT JBT is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lago Vista Texas Downtown Austin and Frisco Colorado
Posts: 2,017
Default

Bob Stuart wants to be a billionaire.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-20-2018, 03:50 PM
SCAudiophile SCAudiophile is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,531
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by crwilli View Post
Ha, There is that! On top of that, you might have to buy a new DAC and that is a non-starter.
+1
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-20-2018, 04:49 PM
Still-One Still-One is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Milford, MI
Posts: 32,466
Default

Or you can pretend that MQA hasn't improved the sound on many older releases and fight MQA while many of us just smile listen to the SQ of MQA which at least up to now hasn't cost me a nickel. Tidal with MQA cost the same as CD quality. dCS provided the ability to play MQA for free.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:33 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video