Just one small quibble ... The MQA decoders rely on apodizing filters (no pre-ripple, lots after) which Meridian has championed, but they are available without MQA. You can probably find lots at Stereophile written about them. My DAC let's me choose 3 different filters with MQA turned off, including apodizing. Having said that, after listening it is not the filter I ever choose to use. I find it far too soft. Best, E |
Forgot to mention something. IMHO, MQA is about 2 decades too late. With high bandwidth internet and terabyte thumb drives, and DACs that in the last 5 years play Redbook MUCH better than they used to, the pure need for MQA has really diminished a great deal IMHO. If this had been introduced a few years after the CD, I am sure it would be the dominant digital standard today. |
I think it's worth having this discussion if we can separate the value (which is arguable) from the process, which is in fact pretty ambitious. From a technical point of view, I think it is clear that MQA is "not just a codec" by any sense of the meaning. The full scope of it's ambition, to correct all timing errors in the A/D, D/A chain and to do so using equipment specific data is monumental. Benchmark has one of the best explanations, as well as technical criticisms I've ever read about MQA here: https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/163302855-is-mqa-doa The blog puts to rest any attempt to relegate MQA to the world of "mere codecs." Is it worth while? On my MQA capable Brooklyn I leave it off. You should do as suits you best. Best, E |
