Nice MQA discussion

Tidal is pretty nice even without MQA. :)

+1...and with MQA, it's even better with certain tracks.

This is the benefit of a better master and not related to the MQA technology itself.

Says who?  Is this just your "assumption" or an actual fact?  And if a fact, where did you get this information?

Also, isn't the "Master" tag on the Tidal/MQA track what makes it a "Master MQA" track?  I don't know how you would ever know if the track sounded "better"  because it was just a better mastered 16/44.1 track or if MQA actually makes it better.

@shadorne ...If I'm reading/understanding you right, you are adding a THIRD variable to the mix.

1.  Standard CD 16/44.1 track
2.  Standard CD 16/44.1 track (Better Master)
3.  MQA track

Not sure if this quite right, but that's just me...

This is not special technology just more hand waving from the promoters of MQA...of course they claim their filter is “special” and an improvement...

Well, they have spent a lot of money and time saying the opposite.

I have owned several DACs that had numerous digital "filter" settings.  Nothing I have ever come across or heard does what MQA does.  No matter the DAC filter setting.

@shadorne...do you have an MQA DAC?  Or you just saying the "master" tracks sound better than their regular CD tracks on Tidal, (which I also agree do sound better, but even better if MQA decoded).

After many, many hours of listening, IMHO, Bob and his team did what they claim.  Sounds better to me.

I guess we will just agree to disagree...

Thanks for the link to the CA article.  Very well done and informative.

I have had MQA here in my main system for over a year.  Using Tidal only, I have done numerous comparisons between MQA and non-MQA streaming material.

Sorry, but what I hear is that almost every "Master" track sounds better than it's equivalent non-encoded MQA  track.  I've had 10-12 different people listen and give me their comments.  Most were not audiophiles, but all were music lovers.  So far, everyone who has listened, has also preferred the MQA track.

IMHO, most of the MQA nay-sayers that I have run into, have either never heard it at all or only under show type conditions.

Bottom line with me is that I hear no degradation using MQA and thoroughly enjoy the sonic "benefits"...  YMMV