New DAC - does it need MQA to play MQA files?

Tbzc

Well-Known Member
Feb 4, 2011
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Dear all,

I am thinking of buying a new DAC but I do not fully understand the compatibility with MQA. Does a new DAC need to have MQA incorporated in order to play MQA based files/streaming? Or can the conversion be "pushed" up to the chain: to a streamer or music player (like roon or audio nirvana)?

So, is it a hardware issue or are there already software solutions? If so, do software solutions have any limitations compared to hardware solutions?

Many thanks for your answers and thoughts.
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
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London
Streamers only do a part. You need to buy an MQA dac for the full decoding. The meridian 15k dac is fantastic on MQA, then you would a few more going up to the MSB level. I think Berkeley and Rossini are planning to come out with ME if I am not mistaken. But if you MQA is a must for you, and unless you want to pay up for the MSB, the meridian will be very good and you can play it through the Ethernet.
 

asiufy

Industry Expert/VIP Donor
Jul 8, 2011
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almaaudio.com
At the lower end of the price spectrum, the Aurender A10 and the Mytek Brooklyn will both do full MQA decoding, and are available right now.

From what I see, adding MQA capability is not merely a software upgrade. But that might vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
 

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