TOPIC:

Just a quick question for the group (I hope). I'm using Tidal via Volumio and have it set for the highest quality audio in settings. I can play MQA and other tracks, and see that MQA is playing at 48kHz instead of 96 kHz as Tidal claims. I can get the Masters quality sound using the Tidal app, but want to avoid buying something to "clean" the USB signal between my laptop and DAC. Is there a way to set Volumio to deliver at 96 kHz?

Appreciate your comments!!!

The quick answer is that your Tidal app can do the first MQA unfold. Programs like Roon can also do this. This is why you get 96khz with your Tidal app. Volumio can’t do this as of now. Only time will tell if or when that will happen.

Hi there, I am not an expert but as far as I know, MQA is not supported from Volumio.

i believe this has to do with the 'first unfold' process of MQA... the MQA Tidal files themselves are stored at 48khz / 24bit... then if licensed to do so (which i don't believe volumio is, but the Tidal software app is) ... is to do the first MQA unfold to 96khz.... then if your dad is licensed to do so it can do the second unfold to 192khz etc...

So to answer your question, volumio is not licensed to do the first unfold to 96khz, so you're limited to the original 48khz playback etc

I can just hook up my laptop to the SHD and get complete MQA unfold that way, but then that introduces the computer and all its noise into the music stream. I've gone so far now as changing all my ethernet cables to Tara Grand Cat7 shielded. One from the wall to the Router, from the router to a TP-Link Gigabit Ethernet Media converter which takes the ethernet signal and changes it into optical, then to another TP-Link converter to change back to ethernet (now cleanded). From there it goes to a completely isolated ethernet unmanaged switch, via the same Cat7 shielded cables, and from there using same type cable to the SHD. Plugged into this isolated switch are only the SHD and my Oppo used for SACD audio. Plugged direct into the router are only my TV and laptop. This setup gives me a completely isolated audio approach. All of my components are powered through Pangea heavy cables to a Ferman elite 20 power conditioner.

I know this sounds extreme, but I read it here Article and thought I'd give it a try. Only cost about $150 and was fun to learn. Does it sound better, I think so, but then again I installed it. If it doesn't, at least it was cheap and fun to do. And it looks cool too!

Hi, let me try to clarify a few things here.

First of all, MQA can be anything from 44.1kHz - 384kHz, always 24bit.
So Lisa, there's no lie at all, you just found some lower res MQA files on Tidal. The added value of MQA format is stored in the bits outside the range allocated by MQA encoder for the baseband. That means that when comparing a normal quality hi-res PCM file 24/96 to MQA 24/96, it is not the same (the same of course is true about any other bit/sf combination).

@Steve: Since MiniDSP's DACs do not support MQA, unfortunately you do not get a complete MQA unfold as you thought. For MQA there is a two stage unfold process, where the first stage is called decoding and yes, it can be done by a SW player (if supported). If so, you can get a slightly compromissed PCM 24/96 as a maximum as a result (but no MQA added value of previously mentioned extra bits information is used in DA conversion process in this case). To get a complete 2-stage unfold, you need an MQA certified DAC that acts as a MQA renderer (some MQA certified DACs can do both decoding and rendering). Only then you are able to achieve the full potential of MQA format.