I’m not sure. I do think they do a complete new mastering of each album, thus marketing them as Mqa. I have tried the so called Tidal Mqa masters. In my opinion it was not worth the money. In many cases the sound got too sterile in my opinion.What exactly is the source of these MQA versions? Do they go back to the original master tape and remaster an MQA version or has there always been a flat digital copy of the master tape that all mastering uses?
Bluesound supports Tidal MQA. Bluesound Node2i as an example. It can also work as streamer if you want to play your own local files/cd by using NAS network hard drive connected to your WiFi. Cd we’ll always sound the best if you ask me compared to streaming. But I do think Apple Music, Spotify Premium is a very good choice still. You could always rip your cds using EAC (software) and see which format you prefer.Which streaming service is best for Naim NDS/555.
I have Tidal @ £20 month,but Naim seams to not support MQA for what it's worth.
What best sound is possible or i should be aiming for the above,ie ripping cds v tidal etc.
Iam very much a novice.
Okay, but was the SACD versus Flac based upon the same master ☺I am not keen on SACD either, I played flac and SACD version of Love over Gold by Dire Straits, via PC through Music Bee to McIntosh pre-amp. There was little bass on opening track on SACD version. Flac sounded much better.
Tidal has added lots of MQA songs but in reality they haven't. I use Tidal through USB Audio Player Pro that displays exactly the quality. MQA is 24 bits BUT all the newly added MQA songs are 16 bit and same exact kbps as HiFi so...they really haven't. The official Tidal app says they are "Master" but in reality they are not.
1) Export your playlists to Spotify with - Transfer Playlists Between Music Services! 100% free | Tune My MusicI was thinking of upgrading from my trial period but when I put tidal on my firestick it asked me to sign up £22.99 or £23.99 So looks like prices are going up soon? Not bothering at that price.
Sterile? Interesting. Because on my system doing and A/B test MQA vs Flac of the same track on Qobus, Tidal or server from my network reveals MQA to be a little fuller on the bottom end and a bit veiled in the mids and highs, not dull but, different, just the opposite of your experience.I’m not sure. I do think they do a complete new mastering of each album, thus marketing them as Mqa. I have tried the so called Tidal Mqa masters. In my opinion it was not worth the money. In many cases the sound got too sterile in my opinion.