How best to play Tidal HiFi MQA on the Bluesound Node2i via iOS (iPhone)?

Answered

Adam Brosgall

• January 29, 2020 23:37

Hi there,

I want to use the pass through option on my Tidal HiFi so that I avoid Tidal's software 1st unfold, and let my Bluesound Node2i do the full MQA as it is licensed to do. I exclusively use my iPhone 8 to control my Tidal app.  My Tidal signal streams from my router via ethernet to my Bluesound Node 2i, and then RCA to my amp. The problem, is that I can't find the Tidal "pass through" option on the Tidal iOS mobile app.  I've heard there is a "pass through" option on Tidal's desktop app, but I don't get it on my mobile app.  I've been told that I can connect my iPhone to the Bluesound Node2i using a Lightening to Camera (USB) connection.

Would this work to let the Bluesound Node2i to the full MQA decode?   

If so, where do I connect the Camera (USB) connection on the Bluesound Node2i?

Do I need to keep my iPhone (via Lightening to Camera USB connection) plugged in at all times, or only initially, to activate the "pass through" option?  

Finally, will doing the full MQA decode via the Bluesound Node2i hardware result in a better MQA output? Or should I just let the mobile iOs Tidal app do the first unfold, and presumably the Bluesound does the final two unfolds to arrive at MQA Master quality? I think this is called "rendering"?  That's actually what I'm doing now, as I get the MASTER symbol on my Tidal app when I select MQA songs and albums.  But I wonder if there is any benefit in using the Bluesound hardware to do the full MQA conversion?  Or is it all "much of a muchness", such that software+rendering is the exact same as the full hardware MQA decode?

Thanks!

Adam

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• Official comment

  

  Wesley P.

  • January 30, 2020 15:40

  Hello Adam,

  When using Tidal through the BluOS app, the BluOS app will handle the first decoding stage independent from Tidal's app. After decoding, the next two rendering stages are handled by the internal DAC of your Node 2i. This means you will need to use the RCA outputs of your Node 2i to get fully rendered MQA output.

  I do not know exactly how Tidal's app handles their own MQA decoding and rendering so I can not say if there would be any difference in audio quality. But with that being said, I would suggest using the BluOS app directly for your MQA streaming to your Node 2i.

  Regards,
  Wesley P.
• 

  kellyken

  • April 21, 2020 06:55

  Hey, have you tried to use the Tidal Downloader Mac program to convert Tidal to plain audio formats, then transfer them to the Bluesound device? If not, I think you should take a try of it. Hope it will help you.

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