Tidal removing all MQA


As the title states Tidal will be removing all MQA and replacing titles with FLAC instead.  Per an email I just received:

 

On July 24, 2024, we’re replacing the music in TIDAL’s MQA catalog with FLAC versions.

 
 
128x128jastralfu

From the Tidal website

HOW WILL THESE CHANGES IMPACT MY COLLECTION?

MQA:
If you have an MQA track or album in your Collection – including in playlists – the track will automatically be replaced by the highest quality FLAC version that has been distributed to TIDAL.

If you have an MQA track or album downloaded for offline access, you will need to update to the latest version of the app on July 24. You will then be prompted to redownload these tracks. This will download the replacement FLAC version of any MQA track you previously downloaded.

360 Reality Audio:
If you have a 360 Reality Audio track or album in your Collection – including in a playlist or downloaded for offline access – you will see the track or album grayed out and unavailable for streaming if you try to select it.

Still nobody seems to get it. I have a pretty good streamer for shits and giggles that I won't identify but it's retail is $2500.00. I also have a $1,000 turntable that I always, always go to before streaming.All you streamers, just please for the love of God and all that is sacred in music, buy an entry level analog rig and find peace, and musical enjoyment unlike you haven't before.  

@fsgattuso For the love of God quit trying to preach that vinyl is superior to streaming, it is not. Vinyl’s sound quality is inferior and becomes more so incrementally every time you play an album. Then there’s the pops and hiss issue. Of course there’s the availability of, in an instant, millions of tracks, in most every conceivable genre, for a low monthly fee, many in high-res, that streaming provides.

 

Just stop, I’ve heard both, and have streaming.

@anotherbob - this is not always true and not because analog is superior or not. The reason is that mastering on quality LP is better. See, stream is often CD mastering, even if it is 24/96. They stream to you what was made for CD before downsampling. But CDs are often mastered for low end and car equipment. 
 

I made a simple experiment. I have certain CD, FLAC from HD Tracks and LP. I recorded LP into 24/96. This digital recording sounds quite a bit better than HD Tracks or hi rez Tidal stream.

All digital, mind you.