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Streamers/DACs for Hi Res Streaming

Long time listener, first time caller. I am looking to upgrade my streamer/DAC from my current Cambridge CXN v1 in 2020 to take advantage of high res streaming. I had settled on shopping for DACs that include full MQA decoding, because I love what I hear from Tidal Masters even from my Dragonfly Red on my modest office system. But now that Amazon has added high res streaming, I’ve given it a try and am very impressed with the sound and the depth of catalog. (Qobuz only seemed to have 2/3 of the music in my library.) I understand some don’t like MQA because it requires filter settings that somehow are suboptimal for non-MQA playback, so streaming flac files has some appeal to avoid any limitations. I would like to get a dedicated device so I’m not streaming via my MacBook.

So, my questions are:
1. What are people’s thoughts on whether using an MQA compatible DAC significantly compromises its playback of non-MQA files? Is this an important issue weighing against Tidal Masters?
2. Are there any updates on audiophile manufacturers integrating Amazon music into their devices, so they can stream directly from the internet (not via airplay from the phone)? I only see that they are "looking at it."
3. Any specific thoughts on the Mytec Brooklyn Bridge vs. Cary Audio DMS-600 vs. Aurender A10 vs. Bryston BDP-3.14?

Sorry for the compound questions. Thanks in advance for your guidance.
Ed

emcallaway
9 responses Add your response
benzman's avatar
benzman
407 posts
 
I have a Cary DMS 600 that replaced an Aurender A10. I also auditioned a Lumin T2 and a Gold Note dac/streamer. 

The Cary is a killer piece that can be bought for much less than the 6990 list price. It just sounds great and you can listen all day long
the T2 would sound great for 8 songs but would grate you on the next one. Saber chipset can be a little too revealing sometimes. The T 2 was tough to sell also. 
The Aurender A10  is 4 years out now a hard drive failure is showing up. Not a deal killer but a 300 dollar fix. 
I run my Cary directly into Audyssey Kismet extreme Monos. 3 volt output so sounds great without a pre.  Well made 28 pound player. 
Surprising  it doesn’t get more chatter. Highly recommended!!

philtangerine
29 posts
 
I wouldn't be concerned about an MQA enabled DAC performing well with  non MQA files. The Pro Ject S2 just detects which is being played and switches accordingly. Keep in mind that of the 6 million appx tracks available on Tidal only 20,000 appx are MQA. So I would suggest getting a DAC that you like for CD quality that also happens to be MQA enabled, rather than making the MQA feature the primary feature. The Pro Ject S2  is a modest jumping in point. I would not say its a brilliant DAC, but fair for its price.

kohan986
2 posts
 
Got it. talktowendys
erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
MQA does not require a special protocol.  That's one of it's selling points.


MQA can hide in any non-lossy file / transmission format (FLAC, ALAC, etc.).

However, whether you can convince Tidal to stream you master quality or not is another story.  The Chrome browser will partially unfold it to 96/24, otherwise based on the streamer and their communication with Tidal.
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
Don't put me under oath for this, but I think Meridian demands a particular protocol through which MQA must be handled. For the life of me I can't seem to locate my Mytek Brooklyn Bridge instruction manual where it mentions this. 
In any case, as Alfred E. Neuman used to say, What me Worry?  Yes, I bought the Mytek BB because I wanted to have MQA, but I've since discovered that I enjoy the sound quality from non-MQA'd Qobuz and Primephonic a whole lot better than what I get from Tidal, apparently the only MQA provider. Luckily, the Mytek makes it easy just to bypass MQA for one of several other pathways the Mytek provides. A good fifty percent of the time, I get better sound quality via the Mytek than I get from my admittedly aging vinyl rig (SOTA Sapphire, Alphason, Lyra Delos, Moon). In other words, put me on the same team as eric_squires, the poster just above.

erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
1. What are people’s thoughts on whether using an MQA compatible DAC significantly compromises its playback of non-MQA files? Is this an important issue weighing against Tidal Masters?


Depends. On the Mytek Brooklyn for some reason I was locked into using the apodizing filter if I had MQA enabled which to my ears was just not nearly as good as the fast rolloff. Otherwise a great DAC.


I’m not sure at all WHY you are locked into apodizing, i mean why doesn’t it just pick the apodizing filter when it plays MQA? Seems simple enough in the 21st century.

I’d check to see if this is still an issue, but I love my Brooklyn, with MQA off. :)
soix
9,456 posts
 
You might want to take a look at Darko’s review of the Innuos Zen Mk.lll.  He compares it to some other streamers and talks about what aspects of a streamer are important to sound quality.  The Zen has a CD drive and internal storage that you may or may not need, but I still think the review is worthwhile reading.  Best of luck. 
zufan's avatar
zufan
563 posts
 
I'm tickled pink w/my NAD 658. I think it will be a landmark product. Streams Amazon directly also (and about 20 others). 
kohan986
2 posts
 
Got it your point.
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