MQA is Vaporware

[MikeyFresh]

36 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I won't waste my time talking to you, as we clearly have no common understanding of how business operate and you are unwilling to admit that businesses make decisions that will keep the lights on. 

 

I'm not quite sure how you would know specifics about any given businesses ability to keep the lights on, or their direct attempt to do so by implementing MQA.

 

Regardless, I have never been a fan of any equipment manufacturer's inclusion of any technology or feature, merely to tick a box in their marketing, or worse yet to try to take advantage of what they see as a media blitz surrounding that tech or feature.

 

With regard to MQA adoption, I believe that is exactly what happened, and I join others in shedding no tears or having the slightest bit of sympathy for those firms as corporate entities, though it would be a shame if their employees ultimately suffered due to bad bets made by the top brass. Was it really a bad bet? Did they shift a few more units initially due to inclusion of MQA? Are they still doing so today? Only they know.

 

But I smell a rat with the story of "we've had huge customer demand/requests for MQA", I think that's total BS and a gross overstatement. Rather, they sought to take advantage of the huge media blitz surrounding MQA, a bunch of free advertising for their products if they were to include that feature. Smart business? Perhaps, but I for one sincerely hope that it wasn't.

 

We've had this topic arise before in this thread, and I wasn't alone then nor now in saying I'll freakin' boycott any company producing units that are MQA compatible, and they will only get the least bit of reconsideration for my consumer spending when they have completely abandoned MQA. There is no I'm right your wrong there, that's just my particular stance, and that of other's too if previous posts on this topic are any indication.

 

Some of us have always viewed MQA as a real threat, threat to consumers, threat to artists, etc... for various different reasons. Unfortunately those companies adopting MQA can be seen as aiding and abetting, and so I can't root for them at all, even if it means they then have to turn the lights off.

[KeenObserver]

3 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Some manufacturers run fragile businesses and made the choice to include MQA believing it would help them sell more units. Nothing to do with falling for a scheme or integrity in the way you see it. Some would rather implement MQA and continue to provide paychecks for employees than make a stand from the parking lot of their closed facility. 

 

I can understand that.

I can see the possibility of Bob Stuart standing in the parking lot of Meridian and saying: " I know what I can do!  I'll start MQA LTD".

 

I can see Robert Harley in the parking lot of TAS looking at subscription numbers and saying: " i know what I can do!  I'll wildly endorse MQA!"

[The Computer Audiophile]

10 minutes ago, MikeyFresh said:

I'm not quite sure how you would know specifics about any given businesses ability to keep the lights on, or their direct attempt to do so by implementing MQA.

Unfortunately I spend many hours per day talking on the phone and exchanging emails with manufacturers, dealers, and distributors in HiFi. It's the worst part of the business, but a necessary evil. Yesterday was great because I found out about a very cool project one manufacturer is working on and my input was requested. This will be a win for AS readers because I speak for them when speaking to the manufacturer on something like this. Other days I hear about struggling businesses, politics inside companies, etc... That's how I know. 

 

I respect your opinion and unwillingness to spend money with any company that implements MQA. I wish I could do the same, but I couldn't keep the lights on and hard drives spinning if I didn't accept advertising dollars from MQA-linked companies.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys, I received a PM saying my language could've been better in a post above. I agree and apologize for intimating a member of the community was being an asshole. I disagree strongly with what he said, believe he was being unreasonable, and even illogical. That said, it was out of character and ill-conceived to use the term I used. 

 

I must say, the world is getting to me. 

[sphinxsix]

Social distancing tends to test our patience and a couple of other things quite deep. At least been experiencing it myself. 

 

[Confused]

I was at a dealer event last year, two guys from Devialet were there.  In a q & a session, the question of Devialet implanting MQA was raised.  Devialet made it clear they had no intention of implementing MQA, and gave their technical reasons for this.  Some of those present made statements like “who the hell wants MQA anyway, don’t do it”.  The point is though, some members of the hifi buying public were interested in MQA implementation and were asking why Devialet would not implement it.  Presumably they were Tidal subscribers, but I could not say for sure.

 

I have heard other manufacturers claiming they implemented MQA due to public demand, and there does seem to be evidence of this, right or wrong.

 

Picking up on an earlier post, I noted some months ago that Hifi News equipment reviews would mention if a product included MQA decoding as a simple fact that the feature was included , but never expanded on this or commented on the merit of MQA itself.  What Hifi used to be very different, with MQA being reported as the next great thing, and singing the praises of products that enabled this wonderful feature.  So it looks like their stance has changed somewhat in more recent reviews. 

[KeenObserver]

54 minutes ago, Confused said:

I was at a dealer event last year, two guys from Devialet were there.  In a q & a session, the question of Devialet implanting MQA was raised.  Devialet made it clear they had no intention of implementing MQA, and gave their technical reasons for this.  Some of those present made statements like “who the hell wants MQA anyway, don’t do it”.  The point is though, some members of the hifi buying public were interested in MQA implementation and were asking why Devialet would not implement it.  Presumably they were Tidal subscribers, but I could not say for sure.

 

I have heard other manufacturers claiming they implemented MQA due to public demand, and there does seem to be evidence of this, right or wrong.

 

Picking up on an earlier post, I noted some months ago that Hifi News equipment reviews would mention if a product included MQA decoding as a simple fact that the feature was included , but never expanded on this or commented on the merit of MQA itself.  What Hifi used to be very different, with MQA being reported as the next great thing, and singing the praises of products that enabled this wonderful feature.  So it looks like their stance has changed somewhat in more recent reviews. 

 

There were people that bought in to the BS that MQA was spewing, backed up by endorsements from TAS and Stereophile.  There were other knowledgeable people who could see what MQA actually was and rejected it.  There were people on this site and others that closely examined MQA and exposed the truth.  Apparently MQA is still pushing their agenda.

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

25 minutes ago, KeenObserver said:

 

There were people that bought in to the BS that MQA was spewing, backed up by endorsements from TAS and Stereophile.  There were other knowledgeable people who could see what MQA actually was and rejected it.  There were people on this site and others that closely examined MQA and exposed the truth.  Apparently MQA is still pushing their agenda.

Dealers played a bit part in the shilling. There were many MQA "events" at dealers who carried MQA enabled digital gear, and their "enthusiasm" was over the top, to say the least. 

[sphinxsix]

1 hour ago, Confused said:

I was at a dealer event last year, two guys from Devialet were there.  In a q & a session, the question of Devialet implanting MQA was raised.  Devialet made it clear they had no intention of implementing MQA, and gave their technical reasons for this.

Those guys always made sense, hope always will.

 

1 hour ago, Confused said:

Picking up on an earlier post, I noted some months ago that Hifi News equipment reviews would mention if a product included MQA decoding as a simple fact that the feature was included , but never expanded on this or commented on the merit of MQA itself.  What Hifi used to be very different, with MQA being reported as the next great thing, and singing the praises of products that enabled this wonderful feature.

These are two different magazines, have always been. HiFi News is ok, What HiFi is full of s...t, has always been. Strictly commercial magazine everyone should forget about as soon as possible.

 

 

[sphinxsix]

47 minutes ago, KeenObserver said:

 

There were people that bought in to the BS that MQA was spewing, backed up by endorsements from TAS and Stereophile.  There were other knowledgeable people who could see what MQA actually was and rejected it.  There were people on this site and others that closely examined MQA and exposed the truth.  Apparently MQA is still pushing their agenda.

But check out 'MQA' on Wikipedia, I'm sure this article wouldn't look like that if it wasn't for AS, some knowledgeable guys posting here and last but not least Chris who changed his attitude towards MQA 180 degrees at some moment for which he will always have my personal respect.

 

 

[KeenObserver]

Chris saw first hand what MQA was all about.

[AudioDoctor]

6 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi Guys, I received a PM saying my language could've been better in a post above. I agree and apologize for intimating a member of the community was being an asshole. I disagree strongly with what he said, believe he was being unreasonable, and even illogical. That said, it was out of character and ill-conceived to use the term I used. 

 

I must say, the world is getting to me. 

 

Nah, you called it like you saw it...

[Ishmael Slapowitz]

14 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

Nah, you called it like you saw it...

Are your skies Purple too?🤣

[ShawnC]

6 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi Guys, I received a PM saying my language could've been better in a post above. I agree and apologize for intimating a member of the community was being an asshole. I disagree strongly with what he said, believe he was being unreasonable, and even illogical. That said, it was out of character and ill-conceived to use the term I used. 

 

I must say, the world is getting to me. 

I'm still trying to find where you were out of line.  Not to rehash things from earlier but you spoke the truth about the companies applying MQA bacasue most of the their customers wanted it.  What's wrong with that? I bought a MQA DAC so I could hear what all the buzz was about.  Who cares.  I had Tidal then switched to Qobuz becasue their products were more straight forward (or clearly defined).  Anyways I'm surprised someone complained, especially considering what's been said in this thread and those who have been pushed people away or have been banned from here. 

[AudioDoctor]

Delete, double post.

[AudioDoctor]

2 minutes ago, Ishmael Slapowitz said:

Are your skies Purple too?🤣

 

No, I just agree with the initial characterization of your behavior.

[randyhat]

During this time when we are distracted by the pandemic and the unprecedented changes and challenges it presents it would be completely understandable to let other priorities slip.  It is reassuring to see, despite all distractions, that there are loyal anti MQA warriors out there beating this horse.  By all means maintain your laser focus.

[KeenObserver]

15 minutes ago, randyhat said:

During this time when we are distracted by the pandemic and the unprecedented changes and challenges it presents it would be completely understandable to let other priorities slip.  It is reassuring to see, despite all distractions, that there are loyal anti MQA warriors out there beating this horse.  By all means maintain your laser focus.

 

Yes! Yes!

We should be focusing 100% on the corona virus!

We should not be diverting any time to Audio forums!

[randyhat]

You misunderstand.  First of all it was a joke.  Secondly my sarcasm was not directed at participation in Audio forums.,,,it was directed at the the MQA hatred.

[KeenObserver]

To some people it is apparently MQA hatred.

To other people it is MQA truth.

[lucretius]

14 hours ago, Ishmael Slapowitz said:

Are your skies Purple too?🤣

 

The skies are violet, we just see them as blue.  ☺️

[randyhat]

Whether hatred, truth, or just an casual obsession to occupy your time.  Fight on warrior!  781 pages and we have not yet even begun to fight.

[MikeyFresh]

1 hour ago, randyhat said:

Whether hatred, truth, or just an casual obsession to occupy your time.  Fight on warrior!  781 pages and we have not yet even begun to fight.

 

SUCH clever sarcasm, what a valuable addition to the thread!

[christopher3393]

6 hours ago, KeenObserver said:

To some people it is apparently MQA hatred.

To other people it is MQA truth.

 

2 hours ago, MikeyFresh said:

 

SUCH clever sarcasm, what a valuable addition to the thread!

 

 

[KeenObserver]

Interesting!

 

Seems like MQA is laying the groundwork for a new round of BS.

 

They must have got their funding to remain an active entity.

 

MQA is still a threat to the music consumer.