Tidal & MQA Question (Another One!)

Housey

Housey

Housey

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I have a Tidal subscription that allows me to access 'Master' content which I believe(?) is only delivered via the MQA format. However, in my main listening area I do not have an MQA enabled DAC (I do on my PC ironically), so it will not decode MQA. For streaming in this area I use a MacMini connected to the DAC (NAIM V1) via USB and then into my SuperNait2 Amp, but I have some questions for people who understand Tidal.

1: Does the OSX Tidal App actually decode MQA, so removing the need for the DAC to handle this and deliver it to the DAC without then needing to decode it? Does the MacMini mean I don't have to worry about decoding MQA as my MacMini does it before it arrives at the DAC meaning I am getting the FULL MQA experience (whatever that means)?

2: If this is not the case, am I correct in thinking that without MQA all I get when I select 'Master' is a normal HiFi (16bit/44mhz) streams, so in simple terms I am getting zero advantage from having Master?

Thanks in advance. Not only does Tidal have TERRIBLE apps, it also has TERRIBLE support. Nice sound mind.
 
jpaul said:
edit : ios desktop app, should, indeed be ok
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It says iOS device won’t work. I assume you mean OSX?

My DAC can handle 32bit and 384mhz as a maximum and it is manually configure to accept up to that too. Your source answers my point as you suggested..

This will ensure Tidal outputs high-res when it plays a high-res file. Note that the MQA encoding used for these 'Master' files can be 'unfolded' to 24-bit 96kHz (or 88.2kHz) by Tidal's desktop app, but any further expansion (to 192kHz, say) will require an MQA-equipped DAC.
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I have the 19.99 a month top option. It can be set to bypass the OSX Midi settings but these are set right. My question was more around how it works with MQA decoding than bit rate. Think I’m clear now. Ive a Meridian Dac on my PC so get full MQA but into a much less capable Amp and speakers. Both running desktop one OS X the other Win10
 
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