"Hi-Res Audio", MQA, THX Certified and other certifications

Heck, a lot of people can't even hear the difference between redbook and hi-res, even though we know how hi-res works and what information is capable of being encoded. MQA doesn't even have that level of transparency. Who knows, maybe Meridian has chanced upon some magic algorithm, but in that case why not use it to predict the stock market like in Pi?

 

Two further thoughts re MQA:

1. Since MQA promises to stuff high-res down a slim pipe and has a deal to stream on Tidal, I think we can now say we've seen the hindside of DSD. It's a lot more appealing to pay the Tidal vig than re-buying everything (if you can find it on DSD, of course), and, of course, assuming it is ALL of Tidal, and assuming that it does sound better.

2. Oh, so this is will be a differentiator because everyone--from the high end to receiver companies to phone manufacturers--has it? Please let me know how this will be a differentiator again?

 

Even if MQA came out tomorrow and made all music sound demonstrably better than all previous digital or analog playback mediums, we still won't see the end of DSD for another decade because Sony will keep it alive out of sheer dogged persistence. And by the time it's really ready to die, they'll pull a double whammy and release new minidisc players that only record and play back in DSD.

 

Don't give them ideas, man.

 

It seems Bob Stuart has decided to hit an emergency PR button regarding MQA. With Chris's help, he will be answering questions to quell confusions.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f...ance-ask-bob-stuart-anything-about-mqa-27412/

 

Where did I put my popcorn...

 

In other news, Archimago has an interesting blog post about MQA here.

 

Seems like MQA = More Questionable Advertising