MQA is Vaporware

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

Just now, Tintinabulum said:

Meridian make hifi equipment. When you've all finished hating them, check out the gear, sounds great. This discussion board used to be about hifi, look where progress has taken us. Too busy hating to listen to music. Sad.

you DO understand that MQA came out of the womb of Meridian????? 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

Just now, Tintinabulum said:

Isn't MQA is a seperate company? Meridian still make hifi- have a listen...

They spun it off after the introduction. Stuart developed MQA with Craven. Why are you acting like AG Fatso Barr?🤡

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

1 minute ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

MQA was launched by Meridian, after first trying to get Pono to accept it, then spun out of Merdian into a new entity. Same ownership I believe. 

Maybe after the 3rd time he will understand it...

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

Just now, Tintinabulum said:

So a separate company then. Have you listened to any of their kit?

 

Yes, many times...

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

1 hour ago, Tintinabulum said:

And is it any good? This is a hifi forum after all. Digital actives, getting very trendy, Dutch and Dutch etc. Meridian brought out  a pair in 1989, sound pretty good.

Yes, the Meridian gear I have listened to has always sounded "good" but not any better than stuff priced much lower..

 

The reason Meridian is a failed business (kept afloat by his in laws pumping wads of cash into it) is because Bob Stuart has lived in a bubble and is in no way a visionary. 

 

He invested in DVD-A when it was clear that internet speed and storage were becoming faster and cheaper and 24 bit downloads were around the corner. He invested in Sooloos when computer set ups costing 1/10 as much out performed it just a very short time later. He was making $25,000 CD players when it was clear they were a dying breed and stand alone DACs were what the market was demanding.  Instead of his finger on the pulse he has literally had his finger in an electric socket. 

 

The gear by the late 90's was clearly being designed, marketed, and sold to wealthy pseudophiles who wanted LifeStyle products, like the guy I met at a dealer ten years ago who bought a $10,000 Sooloos system and owned 100 CDs. 

 

I could go on. 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

13 minutes ago, Rt66indierock said:

 

Not a massive leap an argument Bob Stuart isn't the right person to listen to in this millennium about digital formats. 

 

You keep saying Meridian has produced excellent hifi, but why has turnover declined in United States 50% since 2001. 

The joke around NY Metro dealers concerning Meridian is that they were the world's most expensive paperweights. They literally could not give it away.

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

15 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

It just doesn't end. A new MQA sourced vinyl record is bing announced in Munich.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information Contact Anthony Chiarella (201) 690-9006 [email protected]

 

BRINKMANN SETS NEW WORLD RECORD AT MUNICH 2019

--Brinkmann’s “Special 33” Double LP Spins Today! --

 

Munich, Germany—May 9, 2019: Munich High End 2019 will witness the demonstration of Brinkmann’s first LP Record, “Special 33,” in the Brinkmann Audio suite, Atrium 4.1, E108 Dr Matthias Lück, co-owner of Brinkmann Audio and Associate Producer of this album, will explain the history and manufacture of this exceptional recording.

 

Special 33 features the music of Jazz trio Blicher Hemmer Gadd, three virtuoso performers featuring American drummer Steve Gadd, hailed as one of the greatest studio drummers of all time. Matthias and his wife, Daniela, heard this group in early 2017 and were immediately inspired to produce an album of their music under the Brinkmann label.

 

Special 33 is, first and foremost, about great music. All music is recorded live and captures the electrifying live energy from four late-night shows at some of Europe’s best jazz clubs. Of the 10 tracks included in this double album, four have never been pressed on vinyl and one, mixed especially for this album, has never been released.

 

The extraordinary sound quality of Special 33 was achieved by remastering using MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology, then converting to analog using a Brinkmann Nyquist Mk II Streaming DAC directly driving the cutting machine. Remastering took place at Railroad Tracks Studios, Germany (www.railroad-tracks.de) which worked for EMI exclusively until 2013. Michael Blicher and Matthias Lück supervised the entire process to achieve the uncompromising sonics they demanded.

 

Cut using DMM (Direct Metal Mastering) with ORIGINAL Neumann VMS 82 Cutting Lathe and SX 84 recorders, Special 33 was pressed at Nordsø Records (nordsorecords.com), a Danish boutique pressing plant, using semi-automatic Newbilt pressing machines (newbilt-machinery.com). German vinyl was chosen for its superior sonic properties while Helmut specified 140gr as the ideal disc weight. Quality of the test pressing has been verified on a Balance turntable driving a full Brinkmann System, with a Bardo/10.0 used for quality control. Matthias will guide Munich High End visitors through the entire mastering, production and pressing process, which should prove fascinating to anyone who loves vinyl records

 

Published as a Limited Edition of 500 copies—33 of which were signed and numbered by Steve Gadd and the band for inclusion with our 33-1/3 Anniversary Balance—the entire production was sold-out to dealers and distributors in advance of release.

 

About Brinkmann Audio: Founded in 1985 by Helmut Brinkmann, Brinkmann Audio is one of the few companies to design and manufacture every source and electronic component in the audio playback chain. All Brinkmann Audio components are handcrafted in Germany from German-made parts and subassemblies. For more information, please contact Anthony Chiarella, Director, US Sales and Marketing [email protected]

 

About Blicher Hemmer Gadd: The legendary American drummer Steve Gadd has formed a band together with award-winning Danish saxophonist Michael Blicher and the amazing Hammond organ wizard, Dan Hemmer. Steve Gadd has played with the all the greatest superstars for more than 50 years. Michael Blicher who recently won 2 Danish Grammys composes most of the music for the band and his music is inspired by travels throughout the world. Dan Hemmer and the sound of his Hammond organ bind everything together. For more information visit blicherhemmergadd.com

 

About MQA: Using pioneering scientific research into how people hear, the MQA team has created a technology that captures the sound of the original studio performance. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream, while also being backward compatible, so you can play MQA music on any device. MQA’s award-winning technology is licensed by labels, music services and hardware manufacturers worldwide and is certified by the RIAA. MQA is a UK-based private company. For more information visit www.mqa.co.uk

 

Meh. I am waiting for the MQA reel to reel. Oy vey.

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

8 minutes ago, Paul R said:

 

Hi Dennis - just going on the audiophiles I am meeting around here, in Denver, Cheyenne, and in SLC. They seem like they have been drugged or something with MQA. 

 

Now, realize that most of them seem to have little acquaintance with digital, and that may be just a regional thing. But it is startling to see the vitriol here mirrored as enthusiasm elsewhere. maybe it is just expectation bias in overdrive or something. 

 

Something ain't connecting brother. Or the virtual universe isn't connecting. Or something.  How about in your part of the physical country? 

 

-Paul

 

Drugged? Clearly you are smoking something, and depending where you live it may actually be legal. Fried brain cells are an unfortunate condition. 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

21 minutes ago, crenca said:

 

Don't be dense.  Bob S is a Big Fat Liar just like Bill Clinton is a Big Fat Liar, as in "I did not have sex with that young women"

 

Wake up Barrowboy, you were duped by Bob S at some point in the past (how much did you $pend did you say?), and now are shooting the messenger....good luck with that.

Maybe we should call Stuart Attorney General Bob or AG Bob from now on. The difference between the repulsive toad AG and Stuart, is that Bob is actually good at lying.😃

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

At one point in time there were some in the industry who tried to kill local network playback as an option.. All sorts of lies and misinformation were told. Gordon Rankin strongly comes to mind.

 

 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

2 minutes ago, crenca said:

 

Yep from the beginning Bob S reminded me of Slick Willie, in that everybody knows he is lying but nothing seems to stick - at least until recently...  

I was thinking of Fatso Toad Barr..or FTB if you like lol...at least Bob is thin, and coherent. 😃

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

38 minutes ago, MikeyFresh said:

 

In that super-metropolis of Cheyenne, Wyoming where they evidently have a burgeoning audiophile population that just adores MQA, and contacts Paul regularly to wax poetic about the latest cuts they heard on Tidal.

 

Cheyenne, WY Population: 63,624

 

Hysterical!!!!🤣

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

2 minutes ago, WAM said:

 

You did some A-B-testing " before" and "after"?

 

> I'm in the market for a new pair of bibs (Isidore is also tempting) 😌.

 

Back on topic. I'm also in the market for a dac/headphone-amp. First RoE: no MQA. Shortlist, but open to alternatives: UR SH, Luxman DA 250. Someone an other suggestion?

 

 

 

Marantz HD-DAC1. Absolutely the deal of the century. I have one for home and one for the office. that is how much I love it. $799.

 

https://www.us.marantz.com/us/products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=hificomponents&ProductId=HDDAC1

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

1 hour ago, Paul R said:

 

So you think that the range of MQA opinions looks something like this? 

 

You must have an incredible amount of time on your hands. Like..an eternity.

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

45 minutes ago, ARQuint said:

 

I haven't sent many PMs in the time I've participated in this forum and I don't think any of them reflect any attitudes different than the ones that I present publicly. Namely my wish for civility and concerns that a few corners of Audiophile Style have been commandeered by zealots who ultimately suppress meaningful dialogue about important topics.

Sorry, there is no reason to be civil to people who are trying to give me the shaft. Selling me a pile hot steaming horse shit and calling it chocolate mousse gets exactly what it deserves. My toe boot up their tuchus. You live in a different world, in. an ivory tower.

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

3 hours ago, Albrecht said:

Hello....

 

MQA is the veritable essence of USA consumerism. (I am not defending MQA,  - it is horrible). But MQA is very typical. As it goes also with this forum, - evidence is pushed back into the realm of cult-of-personality fascism. Hopefully,- you have just as much hostility towards Bank of America, General Dynamics, Goldman Sachs, etc. etc.

Good post, good question.

 

yes, absolutely I do not do business with BOA, GS, or GD...I consider them all, along with GE, to be criminal organizations. 

 

 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

1 minute ago, christopher3393 said:

 

 

 

Seems to me that you are being heavy-handed here. If I had accidentally sent you a PM intended of someone else and was indulging in a bit of private venting, I'd hope for a heads up about my mistake, especially if I were a known person professionally connected to the industry.  To simply allude to the content of those posts and claim they are hypocritical? How can anyone disagree or offer a different interpretation? If any privately expressed criticism is considered "uncivil" and therefore hypocritical of someone who has supported civility, there would be no civility supporters left, including yourself.

 

"Personal attacks aren't allowed here"...except when they are, which is not infrequent. This does not bode well.  It appears you've been drinking some of crenca's kool-aid.

"Seems to me that you are being heavy-handed here"...

 

You have some serious Chutzpah. 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

47 minutes ago, Rt66indierock said:

 

See my response to David, I'm a measure first listen second person. 

 

And journalism died in the United States with Duke Lacrosse quite awhile ago.

..actually no it died with Judith Miller's fake Iraq WMD reporting 15 years ago. 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

4 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Nothing dies with a single incident, except Michael Richards’ career. Just like the use of the word “killer” never accurately describes the new product that’s supposed to kill the existing one. 

The music died the day Buddy Holly's plane crashed.....😑

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

2 minutes ago, esldude said:

Well that is predated by the Gulf of Tonkin journalism in the Vietnam police action. 

 

Which is predated by William Randolph Hearst's and Josef Pulitzer's actions reporting on events prior to the Spanish-American war.  Somewhat ironic considering Hearst and Pulitzer are the people who caused the term "yellow journalism" to first be used.  Yet we have the Pulitzer awards for investigative journalism.  

 

I'm sure if one keeps looking those are predated by others.  

Well noted...! Yes, how soon we forget...😯

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

13 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I removed posts about content from the 13/14 year old writer. I draw the line at talking about him or critiquing his work. 

 

It’s tough enough to have thick skin as an adult and I won’t go down the road of forcing a kid to go through it. 

I understand your position, but far too politically correct.

 

Regardless of age, he is putting his work out in public and being paid for it. Young actors, athletes, and musicians routinely have their performances harshly critiqued in the media. it's call life.

 

But I respect your decision.

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

Here is what EMM's chief engineer, Mariusz Pawlick isaid about MQA:

 

"MP: This is, in principle, a consumer product, and consumer audio and network audio have taken over. From a consumer point of view, USB is fundamental in terms of getting high-resolution content, including DSD and MQA, into a DAC. USB is the principal computer audio input.

 

MQA tries to solve the problem of transporting high-resolution PCM audio at limited bandwidth/sampling rate by transporting it to the consumer at 1fs-equivalent bit rate. Later, MQA reconstructs the signal to higher resolution at the converter, saving the bandwidth over the network. From an audio-quality point of view, it is progress if we keep in mind that you want to restrict the data rate while transporting most of the high-resolution original. [The] MQA encoding system does that.

 

MQA does not claim to reconstruct high-resolution data perfectly. The intent is to deliver a high-resolution audio signal that is perceptually very close to the original high-resolution content. MQA involves signal processing that hides information in audio noise. Therefore, MQA is not data-lossless. Perceptually, however, it is almost lossless, and enables 2fs and 4fs material to be transmitted by a 1fs system. It offers a tremendous advantage if we compare it with CD audio, which is built on 1fs-equivalent bandwidth."

https://www.stereophile.com/content/meitner-emm-dv2-dsd-mqa-digital-audio#tboL1fhYtfDoYFZw.99

 

I have attended several dealer events where Ed Meitner himself was present. When I asked him about MQA, his response was, and this is verbatim, "MQA is Bullshit."   A friend of mine who attended a similar event in LA said his response was almost identical. 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

3 hours ago, Em2016 said:

 

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, this is probably similar to PS Audio DirectStream... Ted Smith didn't want MQA decoding/rendering code in his FPGA... MQA Ltd initially wanted the FPGA code.... Paul McGowan isn't for MQA either but due to customer requests (he says) they added it via the ConversDigital network card... they sent a unit to MQA Ltd and let them do the impulse response measurements and whatever else they do.

 

Ed has done similar and limited it to just USB input...

 

If one understands the work of Ted Smith and Ed Meitner (hint: DSP... both worked together at a point) then it's not hard to understand why they won't go 'all in' on MQA...

 

As I already mentioned a few posts back, there is apparently more customer/dealer demand 'offline' than we see online (forums etc), which is the only reason they would add this ... again thinking about their work...

Often, the smart move is NOT giving the customer what they want. Being gutless to sell more boxes in another topic.

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

8 hours ago, firedog said:

 I think these small audiophile businesses know their customer base a lot better than you or any other "armchair manager" do. 

That may be, but they also know what FEAR is. You can smell the stench of it. Unlike say, Schiit, Naim, Linn, Benchmark, Bryston, Playback Designs, McIntosh, Ayre, Exogal, Sonore, and many, many many more. 

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

1 hour ago, John_Atkinson said:

 

Exactly the case. With the Stereophile recordings, while I always get the artists' input and approval for the mix and balance, etc, as I am the one who has bankrolled every project other than the most recent, "Tight Lines," I make the final decision for every aspect of the recording.

 

John Atkinson

Technical Editor, Stereophile

Owner, Stereophile Recordings

Have Stereophile Recordings been MQA encoded?