I just got the KEF LS60 (that 30% discount right now was really appealing).

Anyways:

  • I have a big collection of things in Roon…mostly CD rips
    • (things like Toshiba Black Triangle editions of things, Japanese CD’s etc…I’ve done my best to gather the best ‘version’ of certain albums in CD format)
  • For more modern things, I have a lot of FLAC 192/24 digital versions
  • Some, but not much 192/24 vinyl rips.

I also have Tidal…and where I think things get interesting.

  • In Tidal…if I pick the MQA version of a song ‘Come As You Are’ by Nirvana) and then play the non MQA version…the difference is literally night and day.
    • The soundstage is much bigger.
    • In the opening of this song, the bass drum kick that comes on early hits way harder, with a lot more punch.
  • Next, take 'Ni**gas in Paris’ from Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye
    • When I play this in Tidal the non MQA version – it almost sounds like it’s just a compressed MP3, less sound stage / separation, less “stereo” feel.
    • When I play the MQA version, it just sounds very different, bigger, better.

So what is the deal with MQA – is it really just some EQ happening that’s giving things a bit more of a modern / warmer sound?

(‘modern’ – to me this is like the new Giles remaster of Sgt. Peppers vs the Toshiba Black Triangle – many swear by the Black Triangle, honestly, of the many many of those I have – I don’t think they sound that good, I much prefer more (what I am calling ‘modern’) interpretations)

  • AVGuy42@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Submit a ticket to KEF. If it’s an issue with their firmware they’ll take it serious.

  • antlestxp@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I read somewhere that the reason mqa often sound better just has to do with them being closer to the original master. It should technically be lower quality since there is compression involved but the fact that they are coming from very specific masters directly from studios, they can sound better than lossless copies that came from lesser sources.

  • dicmccoy@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Uh oh. I can hear the keyboard warriors typing away because you just had to say the M word. 😂

    • KellyBundysliga@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I’m sure dozens of 60+ year olds will scream at the thought something sounds better than Toshiba Black Triangle version of Abbey Road…well it does, the 2019 mix.

      I’ll assume the same for MQA convos.

      • Woofy98102@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Well, this 63 year old rather likes the 2019 remastered version. And for some dumb ass reason the remastered mono albums sound remarkably better than the original mono albums. Gotta be on account of the new and better remastered versions of the original monos are on FAR higher quality vinyl.

  • Even-Imagination6242@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Different setups different reaults.

    I used to use Tidal until they hiked their prices. However, when I did use Tidal, it was run through an S.M.S.L M500 dac(full MQA support).

    Ultimately, yes it sounded really good, in my opinion. MQA tracks were quite punchy. Unfortunately, the dac developed an issue that caused the output stages to sound distorted.

    It was replaced with an RME adi 2 fs dac. No MQA support. But in principle, a better quality dac compared to the S.M.S.L.

    First thing I noticed. I didn’t miss MQA. Tracks still sounded great! If not better, in my opinion. More neutral and balanced.

    On a final note. To save a bit of cash, I moved to Amazon music HD. To be quite frank…its awful. I wouldn’t recommend it. Audio quality is fairly decent, but the interface, both for Windows and android, absolutely sucks.