Can I use Tidal without MQA and still get better than CD quality
Answered
In my arrangement, I am streaming over my household wireless network into the Node 2i. I then use the RCA (analog) output of the Node 2i as an input into my analog stereo system.
I have found that I prefer the sound quality of Amazon HD over Tidal Masters, but prefer the user experience of Tidal.
Is there a way to use Tidal through the Node 2i but hear the files without MQA processing? I am thinking that this might provide sound quality closer to Amazon HD?
If there is a way to "turn off" the MQA function when using Tidal, how do I do so? And what quality will the music be in that case? Will I still get better than CD quality when playing a "masters" file?
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Official comment
Hi Steve
That's a question better answered by TIDAL - I would contact them about their music service at TIDAL.com
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Hmmm. I think the question might be pertinent to both Tidal and Bluesound.
From a Bluesound perspective, can I direct the Node 2i to work only as a PCM DAC? If yes, this would be one way to address the first part of my question.
As I understand it, with a PCM (non-MQA) DAC, and the Tidal app, the first MQA unfold occurs in Tidal software, This allows MQA files to be served at a higher sampling rate than CD-quality files for users who do not have MQA-capable DACs.
However, because Tidal is integrated into BlueOS, I have no idea if this would be the case even if the Node can be set to operate only as a PCM DAC. Perhaps the BlueOS provides the first unfold instead of the Tidal software when using Tidal through the Node?
This gets potentially more confusing with the latest update of BluOS, which allows streaming thru the Node but control by the Tidal app. In this scenario, where is the first unfold occurring? Perhaps it always occurs within Tidal software, and never in BlueOS?
If so, it simplifies the question from a Bluesound standpoint. Can the Node 2i be configured to "turn off" the 2nd and 3rd unfolds when processing an MQA file (thereby operating identically to a non-MQA DAC)?
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Hi,
first of all the question is what does „I am streaming over my household wireless network into the Node 2i“ exactly mean?
Are you using AirPlay? Is it AirPlay2 or AirPlay1?
Or did you mean the Node2i is connected to WiFi and the player fetches the audiostreams over WiFi, controlled by the BluOS app?
There is no button MQA on/off or something, the only way would be to bypass the Nodes DAC. Not absolutely shure but I think using a digital audioout would do that. But maybe the Node2i would still show he is playing MQA and the following DAC should not be MQA compatible.
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Why would I - or anyone - use Airplay to connect the Node to the internet? My Node is connected directly to my household wireless network.
Regardless, my fundamental question is:
When using BluOS to stream Tidal, is the first MQA unfold done by Tidal (as it normally is when using the Tidal app), or by BluOS? In other words, does the Node 2i operate as a full MQA processor, performing all three unfolds...or does it just do the 2nd and 3rd unfold?
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The answer to your fundamental question would be: yes, the NODE is a full MQA processor. It will do the first MQA unfold and, if using the internal DAC of the NODE (ie connecting the NODE to your system over the analog RCA connection), the rendering steps as well. This applies to both TIDAL Connect and via the BluOS app.
((Stefan's question of Airplay is a good one; always good to confirm these things. Avoids confusion later down the line.))
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So it would seem that there is no way, when using Tidal and the Node 2i (whether through BluOS or the Tidal app) there is no way to avoid the full unfolding of MQA files. If so, that certainly answers my question.
If I want to use Tidal without full MQA processing, the only way to do so is to feed Tidal directly (not thru the Node) to a non-MQA DAC.
BTW, not using Chromecast either!
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