MQA Confusion
Answered
Hi,
I have a new Node 2i. Hardwired network connection and coax out to a Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp. My understanding was that the only way to take advantage of Tidal MQA was to use the Node 2i DAC/RCA output to the amp. However, I have the 'MQA External DAC' option turned off in settings and when I choose an MQA track in Tidal the MQA symbol appears next to the album/track I'm playing with 'MQA' and a green dot underneath it. I have no way of knowing what the actual resolution is as the app unfortunately doesn't show that level of detail. So the question clearly is - Has something changed that's made MQA playback possible through the coax connection or is the app lying to me? Am I then using the node 2i internal DAC, but I'm using coax not RCA. I have to assume for the moment that I'm listening to music at 24/192 but I'm very confused and the dealer can't give me a definitive answer!
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Official comment
Hello Jeremy,
The way MQA describes their content is as origami with 3 folds. These folds consist of the decoding and rendering which when fully rendered will output 24-bit/192KHz audio. When streaming MQA through the Node 2i, the BluOS app will handle the first decoding stage which will process the MQA file to 24-bit/96KHz audio. The next 2 rendering steps are then handled by the internal DAC of the Node 2i which will then allow 24-bit/192KHz audio.
When using coaxial or optical cable from your Node 2i, you are bypassing the internal DAC of the player which is resulting in only the decoding stage occurring and only outputting 24-bit/96KHz audio. To get full 24-bit/192KHz audio you will need to use the analog RCA outputs of the Node 2i to have the internal DAC of the Node 2i process these 2 rendering stages and output fully unfolded MQA.
For more information on how MQA works, please feel free to visit the article provided below.
https://www.mqa.co.uk/customer/how-it-worksRegards,
Wesley P. -
Thank you very much. I'd done some reading in the meantime and just about got there. Thanks for confirming everything.
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Hi,
Sorry to raise this thread again.
I have a Node 2 and 2i that was playing MQA files using RCA outputs. This worked for a couple of years now, but stopped working. Does that mean the processor has malfunctioned or can I send it to be checked? Thanks I am missing the audio clarity and sound stage! Please help.
Best Regards,
Steve
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Hi Steve, are you saying the just MQA tracks has stopped working and you can still play anything but MQA? Is this from Tidal, local tracks or both?
What exactly happens?
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Hi Seppi, Sorry for the long absence.
I have both optical and RCA cables connected, so both MQA and non can playback. Only MQA tracks cannot be heard, but the app with MQA green indicates it is in playback. So, is it a setup problem or something else?
Any help much appreciated!0 -
What do you have the Node connected to?
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It is connected directly by toslink and RCA to Dynaudio Xeo5 wireless speakers and also to a Cyrus AV8 by RCA cable.
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Quite a bit going on there…
Analogue to the AV8 should be working, what happens when you play the Radio Paradise MQA streams?
Also double check to make sure you have NOT toggled on MQA pass through.
https://support.bluos.net/hc/en-us/articles/360045466694-Using-MQA-Pass-through
Beyond that best to play an MQA track and then log a support ticket using Help…Send Support Request for Bluesound to take a look.
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RP MQA streams playbacks on the app without any sound (possibly signal) to the wireless speakers. No MQA pass-through is selected.
OK, thanks for your support. I will get onto Bluesound.
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Xeos5 - do try band find the specifications for the digital inputs, it may be an issue.
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