MQA: Why We Should Resist It

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Still-One

There is no "DRM". There is no way they can prevent you from playing music you own and keep on your servers.

There is a statement in one of the Stereophile pieces that acknowledges that MQA does not employ DRM per se, but it does contain a “crippleware” feature that will degrade the sound if played back on a non MQA supported device. If that is in fact true, then the system design is just plain sinister in my book.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

There is a statement in one of the Stereophile pieces that acknowledges that MQA does not employ DRM per se, but it does contain a “crippleware” feature that will degrade the sound if played back on a non MQA supported device. If that is in fact true, then the system design is just plain sinister in my book.

Better to get " crippled" sound playing it back on a non-MQA DAC (if that is really true) then getting no sound playing a DSD file on a non-DSD DAC.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

There is a statement in one of the Stereophile pieces that acknowledges that MQA does not employ DRM per se, but it does contain a “crippleware” feature that will degrade the sound if played back on a non MQA supported device. If that is in fact true, then the system design is just plain sinister in my book.

No crippleware IMO. MQA via Tidal/Aurender N10 into my non-MQA dac, McIntosh D1100, sounds wonderful. Yes, I’m still missing the final, 2nd unfold. As others have said, streaming 24/96 MQA files without paying a dime extra to Tidal is a no-brainer for me. I did pay a one-time $50 fee to get the Aurender MQA update since my DAC is non-MQA and I wanted to get the 1st unfold. I have loaned out my MQA Dac, my Meridian 808v6.

[j3brow]

One interesting note. I have not heard a single person, consumer not professional with ulterior motives, who actually has access to MQA in their system and did not like it. That should tell you something. Most people poo-poo MQA based on philosophical reasons. That’s fine and completely understandable.

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by j3brow

One interesting note. I have not heard a single person, consumer not professional with ulterior motives, who actually has access to MQA in their system and did not like it. That should tell you something. Most people poo-poo MQA based on philosophical reasons. That’s fine and completely understandable.

We need a like button [emoji51]

[crwilli]

But Jim, there is the possibility (albeit small perhaps), that with record company’s support, they could make MQA CDs which can only be played on ‘MQA’ playback systems.

I am not a chicken little, only trying to state 1 possibility and a reason why some look at it with a cocked eye.

[1KW]

MQA streaming is here and not going anywhere

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by crwilli

But Jim, there is the possibility (albeit small perhaps), that with record company’s support, they could make MQA CDs which can only be played on ‘MQA’ playback systems.

I am not a chicken little, only trying to state 1 possibility and a reason why some look at it with a cocked eye.

Anything is possible. Streaming has made the CD a niche product like vinyl. The efforts to control content will be directed elsewhere.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by Still-One

...The efforts to control content will be directed elsewhere.

Fair point Jim.

[tweet]

Originally Posted by Still-One

If the CD was released in the internet ages everyone would continue to stream.

Touché.