Meridian MQA

[Confused]

I believe Devialet has the capability to add a software MQA decoder inside the expert/phantom range with a firmware update. Since they have a close relationship with Tidal this capability might not be far off.

 

Let's use AIR as example of Devialet's software prowess followed by the list of new features added in firmware updates over the last year and a half.  I suggest you don't hold your breath.

It seems you might be right. I was under the impression that since Auralic had shown a software implementation of  MQA with the Aries and Aries mini back in 2016, other companies would follow: But just found out that Auralic is no longer supporting MQA on their devices:

http://support.auralic.com/hc/en-us/arti...LiC-device-

To be frank I do feel a sense of frustration with the owners of Devialet expert. It is understandable if you have spent upwards of £12,000 you might have an urge to hear double DSD or even Quad DSD same for MQA but are limited to 24/192. That is the price we pay for a single box solution.

I agree with Dr Tone's suggestion of not holding your breath waiting for Devialet to go all in on MQA, you would soon be dead. 

That said, I do not feel any of the frustration mentioned by @Devialetuser.  Specifically with MQA, I think a Devialet will work just fine.  We are seeing more and more 'software decoding' solutions for MQA, and I think these will basically provide all the MQA goodness you need.  For me, the real trick that MQA are performing is the correction of A/D conversion errors in the original recording and mastering.  All of this is included in the basic MQA file, and does not need 'decoding' either via software of hardware.  Indeed, MQA could offer files with the original A/D corrections removed in good old 24 bit flac or wav files.  Of course they will not, as this does not fit with their business model, MQA are not a charity.  Then we have the two stage unfolding.  The first stage gives you something close to a 24/96 file, which in absolute terms very high resolution.  Indeed, I believe that a majority of the original master files do not exceed this resolution, so the first unfold is all you need.  In some cases you will miss out on the second unfurl to 24/192 if you are using software only decoding, but you know what, I suspect that in the real world you would really struggle to notice the difference here.  If you want, try getting a 24/192 file, down-sampling it to 24/96, and see if you can notice the difference in a blind test.  Interestingly, there have seen some rumors and speculation regarding the second fold being made by software decoding.  This makes sense, if MQA want to rule the world, they will need to offer something desirable, and if they are shunning the owners of non MQA DACs, that is most of the audiophile world currently, and certainly not just Devialet users.  Lastly, we have MQA's magic de-blurring of your own DAC.  To be honest, I do not think this is something that Devialet Expert users need to spend a moment worrying about, there is very little blurring to be removed, particularly when you note what the new Pro ADH is capable of, the detail resolution is so good that there cannot possibly be anything to de-blur.  Of course, MQA are a business.  They need to sell there wares to the streaming companies, record companies and us lot.  They want our cash.  So they are going out of their way to make out that MQA is the greatest thing ever, and to fully appreciate it you absolutely must have a DAC will a little MQA light on it, and unless you see that little light come on you are missing out.  Of course, audiophiles are an utterly paranoid lot, and will fret endlessly that their DAC does not have a little MQA light, and although the recording sounds absolutely sublime, maybe something is missing, oh if only my MQA light will come on, if only my DAC had a little MQA light.

Time will tell if MQA will take over the world, or fail with spectacular debts.  (looking at the total lack of interest in 'hi-res' music from 99.9% of the public, I think the latter is entirely possible)  Meanwhile, if you happen to stumble across an MQA file, either via Tidal or whatever route may emerge in the future, unfold it the maximum extent you software 'decoder' will allow, and enjoy the lovely high quality music that may emerge.  Worrying about whether or not Devialet adopt MQA is a waste of time, it is very unlikely they will, and if they do, quite frankly the difference it will make to sound quality will be tiny to nothing.  Enjoy MQA by all means, but do not fall for the line you are missing out by not spending cash on an MQA licenced DAC.