External DAC MQA issue

Answered

Jacob

• February 12, 2023 06:35

I got node 130 connected to hi-end but very old external DAC (muse model 2, 16bit/44Khz). DAC plays MQA tracks only when node settings are "MQA external DAC". Plays non MQA in both setting (external or Node as DAC). While i don't really mind it, i am trying to understand what is happening signal-wise that it's the other way around. I thought gettingv the node do the MQA decoding will be fine since the external DAC doesn't support MQA. Any thoughts?

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• Official comment

  

  Seppi Evans

  Hi-Res

  • February 12, 2023 09:57
  • Edited

  The DAC you are using is too old as it does not support the bitrates the NODE is capable of.

  You need to keep MQA external DAC OFF (as your DAC does not support MQA) but as you found you are able to play MQA files with it turned on.

  Basically when it’s turned ON MQA is not being decoded and the track unfolded is going to your DAC, a lot of MQA tracks are lower bitrate 16/24 hence they play at CD quality only. With it turned off the first unfold is done by the NODE and this then results in a track that is outside the ability of your DAC, hence silence.

  I used to have a very old NOS DAC that was fantastic with CD quality but was replaced when I started streaming higher bitrate tracks and radio stations.
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  Jacob

  • February 12, 2023 23:17

  Thank you seppi,

  Do you believe i'm missing something significant in Sound quality on MQA tracks? How is your newer DAC versus the old one in term of SQ?

  Thanks in advance,

  Jacob

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  Seppi Evans

  Hi-Res

  • February 13, 2023 09:46

  MQA has its haters and followers, personally I find the the tracks better and easier to listen to. It may be an age thing and MQA works better with older ears?

  Far too many DACs and box swaps to recall how the old DAC I was thinking about compares to what’s available now unfortunately.

  The majority of the time I now listen to a Bluesound POWERNODE which means no external equipment and I am very happy with the audio quality, the small form factor and how it hooks into the TV using the HDMIARC port, coupled with the Bluesound RC1 remote it makes music play back quick and simple without attempting to use voice control or getting or navigating an App.

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