2. digital
  3. 155977-144506

MQA DAC with Coax Output

I’d like to fully unpack MQA with a DAC but also want coax out from said DAC. I use Tidal Masters streaming from Roon which is running on an Antipodes DSGT with coax out to a pair powered Dynaudio 200 XDs. The MQA DAC would need to have a USB or coax in (the two digital outputs from the Antipodes) and and coax out to the Dynaudios. I don’t want a super expensive DAC but certainly one to do the system justice. Any thoughts?
krilll

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,591 posts
 
I have the original Mytek Brooklyn. Great DAC. MQA does not add to it. It sounds better with MQA disabled and the filter set to fast rolloff than with MQA enabled and the apodizing filter.



Best,

E
erik_squires
16,591 posts
 
I want to add something:

To my ears, the quality of the DAC is much more important than MQA. I’d rather have a great DAC with no MQA or 96/24 MQA than a crappy DAC with full MQA.

I have a DAC that can do full MQA, and I have it off, because I’d rather use different digital filters than have full MQA. It just sounds much better to me, so trying to get full MQA unfolding in a streamer to DAC solution isn't that important to me.

Also, if you forego coax and accept USB, you can use Roon  to get full MQA to your DAC.

Best,

E
erik_squires
16,591 posts
 
Look at the Luxman flowchart carefully.  The decoded MQA goes only to the analog outputs.


erik_squires
16,591 posts
 
You mean you want a streamer with coax out. :)

Even if you find a streamer with coaxial out, the highest level of unfolding is only allowed at the DAC itself, that is, with ANALOG outputs.

You can't buy a DAC that streams MQA and hope to get around this limit because it is a DAC. :)

Best,

E
More to discover