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Full Version: MQA, Tidal & Phantoms - is there a path to maximization?
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Now that Tidal is streaming MQA, anyone know if: 

1. The Phantoms will be technically be able to take FULL advantage of all that MQA offers? 

2. If Devialet plans to enable that? 

3. Anyone hear any difference currently with Tidal MQA streams on the Phantom?  Supposedly even non MQA Dacs can tap into some of the advantages. 

Curious.
+1 

I have been using Roon with Tidal on an ExaSound PlayPoint, and am very happy.  I think Roon support would be a great plus for the Devialet Phantoms.
See post #1 here:

http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=3896
Short answers

1. No

2. Not known, seemed unlikely.

3. If the software player can decode (Tidal desktop app) then whatever you send the decoded file to is allegedly getting most of the MQA benefit from the software decoding. The final DAC-specific stuff isnt being applied and would need Devialet to become MQA certified (or whatever they call it)
I think tidal from mac via optical will be great. I just got the needed cable and will evaluate it today or tomorrow.
(16-Jan-2017, 22:29)Scubadon Wrote: [ -> ]I think tidal from mac via optical will be great.  I just got the needed cable and will evaluate it today or tomorrow.

Thank you Don, we will be interested to read what you find out. Running Tidal from the desktop app will do the first decode on the MQAs.
So I connected my iMac to phantoms using a $8 mini optical to optical cable. Simple, one end into the iMac headphone jack (the jack is analogue/didital by the way) and the other into one of the phantoms optical. I have my tv plugged into optical on the dialogue. Next, enable optical on the phantom through spark, and you are ready to go.

I went back and forth between spark, tidal air play on IPad mini, and Mqa from the iMac. On the spark and air play, they sound about the same.

Once I played the iMac with Mqa, WOW. Everything was much better. It was like everyone on the stage moved from a close group to their appropriate positions. I could hear individual instruments much better. Everything was much more lifelike.

I like the simplicity of air play with tidal and the iPad mini. However, after a few hours with Mqa, I have decided to get a Mac mini and add it to the system. I just hope tidal stays around and continues to add more mqa selections.