Pontus ii and Hi Res

Ok…on Qobuz. DAC still shows 44.1kHz x1 multiplier. Streaming “best of 192kHz” playlist. Tried with optical and coax inputs. Now what?

@marco1 … monthly rate is $19.95. I purposely signed up for the highest SQ they offer.

@bkeske Does your Aries2 indicate the resolution being played? My concern is the Pontus seems to recognize everything as 44.1 x1. Hi res or not.

We have a family Spotify account and honestly, I’m not sure I’m hearing much/any difference with Tidal (normal, Hi-fi or MQA). Or, is my DAC not working correctly?

@bkeske … considering your comment:

Yes it does, when playing hi res files from my server it indicates that higer resolution, including DSD. But it always shows redbook rates using the Tidal HiFi plan, not the HiFi+ with MQA, which you are using.

Not sure what Redbook Rates means but I’ll assume it’s higher than 44.1 x1. As such are you suggesting that the Pontus will recognize hi res from Tidal Hifi, but NOT with Hifi+ with MQA?

If so, I’ll certainly step down to Hifi only. 

@vthokie83 If I’m understanding correctly, it sounds like I should have stuck with the streamer’s DAC and not sprung for the Pontus since most of our listening is via the streamer.

Bottom line…the SQ is amazing either way…quite happy via either service. Perhaps I’ll quit overthinking this and just enjoy the music. Bela Fleck’s “Sex in a pan” is on now and just stunning. Check it out. 

@rockrider Yes, I turned that off. Just spent the last hour+ directly comparing Spotify set on its highest resolution to Tidal Hifi+. Opera, jazz and classical. Back and forth between the two with the same exact recordings on each. Guys…maybe it’s my tin ears but when normalized for volume, the SQ and image difference was negligible at best. That’s either a testament to the work of this DAC, my room or again…my (in)ability to detect a difference. Gene Ammons tenor on My Romance gave chills regardless of which streaming service I played it on.

I paid Tidal for a month so will continue to play with it for a bit before deciding whether or not to keep it. Thanks all for the comments and advice. Oh, and yes @fuzztone , I can Google with the best!  

@vthokie83 That sounds like good advice. Qobuz is the one piece of the puzzle I haven’t tried. Will do. 
 

BTW…disconnected my Node from the Pontus and ran the analogue outputs to my amp (PrimaLuna HP Int) and you are correct…it sounds considerably better through the Pontus. 

Yes, am on Qobuz now (free trial).  Currently streaming at 24 bit 192 kHz but DAC doesn’t seem to recognize anything above 44.1 kHz (x1 multiplier). That’s my concern. As such, Qobuz is no better than Spotify. Concerned my new Pontus is malfunctioning. I’ve emailed Denefrips but no response as of now. 

@rockrider Yes, using a Wireworld coax cable currently. No difference.

Could it be because I’m streaming via Bluetooth from my iPad to the Node?

@rockrider DUDE!!!!  If you are in the Atlanta area, I owe you dinner. You nailed it. I had no idea I was to control the source through the Blusound app. Problem solved. DAC recognizes high resolution just fine. All is good. Will stick with Qobuz and the Bluesound interface. No more Bluetooth. Really appreciate you sticking with it. Whew!  

 

@fuzztone Well, yes. I had no idea what MQA was, so it wasn’t a consideration. 
 

Thanks again to all for your help. Happy holidays!