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How Is MQA Fareing?

 In another thread here are posters are making comments about MQA suggesting that it isn't a big commercial success, that is should be called DOA, etc.  Yet there are always announcements about companies adopting MQA, testimonials from happy Tidal streamers, etc.
  I'm neutral on MQA but having witnessed more than a few formats go down in flames in my time, and still puzzling over the resurgence of vinyl, I wonder how one measures the marketplace progress of MQA.  Do we look at Tidal subscriptions?  Sales of MQA compatible DACs?  The size of Bob Stuart's house?
mahler123
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jfd11
113 posts
 
PS Audio just joined in. That has to say something. I respect Paul McGowan very much for what he has seen and done for the "high end". 
mahler123 OP
3,318 posts
 
2L recordings sound impressive enough through non MQA equipment.  For me the question would be how does regular, non Audiophile recordings fare?  
peter_veth's avatar
peter_veth
2 posts
 
I am very pleased with MQA and the TIDAL delivery of it. The amount of MQA albums is increasing each week. Audible improvements of listening to a 24 bit 44,48,96,176, 196 and even 382 is very audible. It depends on the Master source and record label of course, but some albums by 2L are outstanding and MQA is impressive and sounds as good as the DXD master itself.
pytaniedodcf
2 posts
 
To arh:
Dear "arh" - you're entirely wrong and  we don't really care what you think.

All specialists (aware of Bob's "doings") are obligated to inform audiophiles about all that they know about MQA - in order to make right decision: to buy or not to buy MQA.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,443 posts
 
+1 arh

I am enjoying the subtle audible improvements everytime I cue up a MQA recording on Tidal and very excited about MQA prospect. 

Having said that, I believe most major manufacturer of DAC's are still on the fence or lagging behind which is IMO, quite discouraging.  Any new format (software) success or failure largely depends on compatible hardware availability.  

Let's hope we see more MQA compatiable DAC's in second half of the year. 
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
fear of DRM from MQA is driving a lot of unhappiness
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
No idea about MQA progress but Tidal Masters often sound excellent and that is what I am very happy about.

I have a theory that high frequencies generated in excessively high resolution help with DAC performance ....a kind of dither if you like as none of thse excessively high frequencies are actually audible but the audible audio spectrum often sounds better at higher sample rates.
bec1195
11 posts
 
So far, so good.  Two of the three major record companies (conglomerates Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group) have  signed on with MQA and end users seem to be happy with it.  

Streaming seems to be where music sales are going.  The major labels have long wanted to find a way to rent music rather than sell it.  So it just needs enough people to sign up for Tidal Masters to make it profitable enough for everyone involved.  That's the hard part.  $20/month is the introductory rate.  That's sure to be jacked up in the future if it catches on.
arh
366 posts
 
I think the fact that any forum you go to there is a lot of talk about MQA bad and good. That certainly indicates that people are interested. Whether it will last or grows or increases subscribers to Tidal or makes money for Meridian it is really to early to tell. I don't really understand the DOA guys. If they don't like it then don't buy into it. Stop lecturing everybody else on how evil MQA is. We don't really care what you think
Alan
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