MQA

[matthias]

Some interesting thoughts about MQA:

http://positive-feedback.com/audio-disc ... reas-koch/

Matt

[beck]

An interesting read indeed. No wonder I love my record collection so much.

[matthias]

No wonder I love my record collection so much.

Digital done right is not bad, but MQA is.

Matt

[beck]

No wonder I love my record collection so much.

Digital done right is not bad, but MQA is.

Matt

We agree. I would however go crazy if over night my record collection sounded differently because somebody had "remastered" the lot! :-)

[Music Lover]

Digital done right is not bad, but MQA is.

Agree, indeed very bad.
That Meridian always refuse comparing MQA-files with uncompressed PCM-files, and refuse answering technical questions is rather telling.

[matthias]

Digital done right is not bad, but MQA is.

Agree, indeed very bad.
That Meridian always refuse comparing MQA-files with uncompressed PCM-files, and refuse answering technical questions is rather telling.

IMO, the best term to describe MQA is UNRIGHTEOUS.

Matt

[tokenbrit]

Music Quantifiably Absent. The source (of the money) is in a closed system, be that a compression algorithm or a link protocol...

[sunbeamgls]

Its an article that gets to the heart of the problems.

Shame but not a surprise that labels are signing up. Worse that What Hifi have 'reviewed' it without any reference to the non-technical issues.

[Music Lover]

Shame but not a surprise that labels are signing up. Worse that What Hifi have 'reviewed' it without any reference to the non-technical issues.

Did they compare the sound quality?

[sunbeamgls]

Shame but not a surprise that labels are signing up. Worse that What Hifi have 'reviewed' it without any reference to the non-technical issues.

Did they compare the sound quality?

I would have to go back and find a copy. I look at What Hifi for news, not opinion - I don't buy my own copy as their opinions are heavily based on advertising revenue. Alledgedly.

[sunbeamgls]

Qobuz have launched 24 bit streaming. In their words 'without compromise'. Im guessing that means without propriety stealth DRM and 'folding'

[Music Lover]

Qobuz have launched 24 bit streaming. In their words 'without compromise'. Im guessing that means without propriety stealth DRM and 'folding'

Don't hold your breath.

But generally, streaming and downloading is BAD as the files normally are messed with in various areas = Not the original recording.

[sunbeamgls]

Qobuz have launched 24 bit streaming. In their words 'without compromise'. Im guessing that means without propriety stealth DRM and 'folding'

Don't hold your breath.

But generally, streaming and downloading is BAD as the files normally are messed with in various areas = Not the original recording.

I expect you mean watermarking, which is a very fair point but at least those files don't need specialist hardware to play.

[Lego]

I have been listening to mqa albums on and off since the start of the year and I must admit it does have that boring old master tape sound to it.Not what I was expecting, less boom tizz compared to Tidals normal streams.I'm holding judgement.All recorded music is tweaked anyway and its all just an illusion.What is it about the sound you guys dont like?

[Charlie1]

boring old master tape sound

I've never heard a master tape but wouldn't that be better than any LP?

[Lego]

I could be wrong but i always presumed the master was what the artist recorded to tape which was then mixed on the desk(boom tizz) to give what we have on our stereos .I think the original recording is the illusion mqa is trying to create,well to these ears anyway :0)

[lejonklou]

The only thing MQA are trying is to get rich.

If there was any musical merit to their methods they would have demonstrated it. Which they have consistently refused (and deliberately wasted my time on several occasions).

Such a blatant scam.

[matthias]

The only thing MQA are trying is to get rich.
If there was any musical merit to their methods they would have demonstrated it. Which they have consistently refused (and deliberately wasted my time on several occasions).
Such a blatant scam.

Yes,
what we can do is to boycott MQA as much as possible.

Matt

[Lego]

The only thing MQA are trying is to get rich.

If there was any musical merit to their methods they would have demonstrated it. Which they have consistently refused (and deliberately wasted my time on several occasions).

Such a blatant scam.

Jings Almighty Fred!!!.Very strong accusation is that wise leaving that here !?...This is printed word, very risky behaviour

[lejonklou]

Lego, please explain what you mean by 'risky'. And which accusation? That it's all about money or that it's a scam to resell music that is already available in your own secret proprietary format?

I'd also appreciate if you could share your thoughts on what is positive or even excusable about the MQA project. I have no idea how informed you are of their technology and business model. If you think it sounds good, how did you compare and with what?

[Lego]

Lego, please explain what you mean by 'risky'. And which accusation? That it's all about money or that it's a scam to resell music that is already available in your own secret proprietary format?

I'd also appreciate if you could share your thoughts on what is positive or even excusable about the MQA project. I have no idea how informed you are of their technology and business model. If you think it sounds good, how did you compare and with what?

Making accusations against an organisation in print without concrete evidence is setting yourself up for all sorts of legal complications.
Definition of scam:'A fraudulent scheme performed by a dishonest individual, group, or company in an attempt obtain money or something else of value. Scams traditionally resided in confidence tricks, where an individual would misrepresent themselves as someone with skill or authority, i.e. a doctor, lawyer'

As far as listening to MQA I can't see the point in comparisons ,I listened exclusively to MQA Tidal streams then went back to Tidal normal streams via pc and DAC can't say one was more enjoyable than the other,i then discovered i could stream tidal via DAC and android tablet and this was much more engaging and enjoyable than pc Tidal/mqa.Im borrowing a mqa DAC to stream mqa via tablet,not holding my breath . Too much noise online to have an opinion one way or another based on what I've read .

I know nothing about Mqas business model other than their directors withdrew more than £100k salary and had ~£12M cash in bank .Not really interested in their business affairs or their motives .One thing I'm not worried about is record labels getting ripped off,as that would certainly be a first ..Lol..Who knows maybe MQA will pull that one off :0)
'

[lejonklou]

Your not a lawyer, are you Lego? That I call something a scam is a reflection of my opinion and can't possibly lead to any "legal complications".

Funny you can't see the point in comparing. To me that was all that mattered! At first I was honestly very intrigued by this new format and wanted to experience how much better those files could sound than regular FLACs. Little did I know then that MQA actively avoided all comparisons, but never explicitly said so - thereby wasting my time and money with "demonstrations" where no comparisons were allowed. Add to that the plan to let everyone pay for the use of this secret technology.

Jim Collinson explains the attempt at creating a supply chain monopoly and I honestly can't understand how anyone can defend this project unless they have an economic interest in it: https://www.linn.co.uk/blog/mqa-is-bad-for-music

I'm certain it will fail.

[Music Lover]

I'm certain it will fail.

I hope you are right but sadly I think the opposite.
When money can be earned...the wolves get together.

MQA is bad for all parties except for Meridian. BUT, as the owners to the music can (again) sell same old music in a new "better" format, they going to try hard.
And unfortunately, there are many less informed consumers that going to be fooled by the marketing message "better".

It's truly sad indeed.

[Music Lover]

Making accusations against an organisation in print without concrete evidence is setting yourself up for all sorts of legal complications.

fyi - Their business model has been clearly described by Meridian themselves and by numerous reviewer.

[matthias]

I'm certain it will fail.

MQA will fail.

Matt