An interesting article (in german) by [www.Sempre-Audio.at] where they tried to rip a MQA-CD. It works and the Streaming-Players recognized and decoded the MQA-file.

But it was only 352.8kHz/16bit due to the Red-Book-compatibility of the MQA-CD.

While [www.Universal-Music.co.jp] says the original DSD-Master was converted to 352.8kHz/24bit it looks like that due to the Audio-CD-compatibility you'll only get 352.8kHz/16bit after the full MQA-decoding.

Sempre-Audio.at said in the article above the sonic quality of the MQA-Test-Tracks were better than a regular CD, much better via Streaming (due to full 24bit) and even more better from the also available SACD.


An Japanese article about MQA-CD-ripping: [www.Phileweb.com] came (on page 5) to a similar conclusion: "it can be speculated that MQA can basically reproduce with sound source data alone without relying on external tag information and 16 bits instead of 24 bits can be used."

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Irix

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kowalski

Anyone knows where to get a MQA player or whatever it's called ?

You could try to get one of the last Oppo UDP-205 4K-UHD-Players - [OppoDigital.com] .

Oppo wanted to add the MQA-compatibility via Firmware-Update. Dunno if the Firmware also recognizes the MQA-CDs.

Oppo Customer Service: service@oppodigital.com .

Thanks. It's good news it can be added by firmware update. I have a small Pioneer receiver which can read about every audio format currently available from CD to DSD. Maybe it'll get a MQA firmware update.

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kowalski

It's good news it can be added by firmware update.

Yes, but I think that's in this case Oppo-specific because the UDP-205 Player has the new ESS 9038Pro DAC.

To unfold MQA twice to it's full 352.8kHz/24bit quality it requires an Hardware-DAC with known characteristic. In Software it unfolds only once to 88.2kHz or 96kHz.

100 MQA-UHQCD titles by [www.CDJapan.co.jp]

100 MQA-UHQCD titles by [www.jpc.de]


External MQA-capable DAC: ifi nano iDSD Black Label - [ifi-audio.com]

External MQA-capable DAC: Project DAC Box S2+ - [www.hificonsult.at]


An important thing for direct MQA-CD playback is if the external DAC is capable to decode the MQA-Signal via S/PDIF-Input. Some external MQA-DACs can only decode MQA via USB - but there're barely CD-Players with USB-Output.

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Irix
External MQA-capable DAC: ifi nano iDSD Black Label - [ifi-audio.com]

I have the LE version of this DAC. I don't think it can read MQA currently though.

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Maindefender
[www.stereophile.com]


For what it's worth. One CD is not breaking the bank, and IORR with a little enhancement sonically is intriguing to me.

My IORR shipped today, still excited. I’ve always had a soft spot for this album. Gritty and in your face..><

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kowalski
Anyone knows where to get a MQA player or whatever it's called ? Are they supposed to issue new CD players with MQA capability ?

Sony Walkman ZX-300.
[helpguide.sony.net]

I saw SF yesterday in a Tower records shop. It's actually the same source as the platinum SHM-CD, ie the 2011 DSD masters. Couldn't convince myself to buy it... for the moment !

The at the CES 2019 newly introduced multi-digital Player SL-G700 by Technics can play Streams, CDs, SACDs, MQA-Files as well as MQA-CDs - [www.Technics.com] .

Has anyone here listened to these Stones high-res CDs yet????

Drew

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drewmaster

Has anyone here listened to these Stones high-res CDs yet????

Yes, EOMS - [iorr.org] .

Thanks mate!

Drew