Audirvana Plus With MQA Decoder

[Jud]

What I know:

 

 

Audirvana Plus now integrates an MQA decoder! This allows -

 

 

- Owners of an MQA renderer without the full embedded decoder to play the full MQA stream.

 

- Owners of a non-MQA DAC to play the hi-res version, with a sample rate doubled compared to CD resolution.

 

 

I don't know anything else, so don't ask!

 

 

I believe Damien will be along with more information and answers to questions tomorrow.

[damien78]

Audirvana Plus 3, announced at CES 2017, is the first audiophile player that integrates the MQA Core Decoder.

As Jud said, this enables:

 

• MQA capable audio devices to benefit from the complete MQA audio quality. In this case Audirvana Plus continues to bring the strongly audible Sound Quality improvement of its optimized audio engine.
  
• Non MQA capable audio devices to benefit from the high resolution (doubled sample rate compared to the encoded file one) thanks to the MQA decoder integrated in Audirvana Plus 3. In this case, Audirvana Plus brings, in addition to the general Sound Quality improvement, the decoding of the MQA file that would be played only at little above CD quality otherwise, losing all its high resolution benefits.
  

 

Audirvana Plus 3.0 is scheduled for release end of January 2017.

 

Upgrade will be free for customers who have purchased Audirvana Plus 2 since Christmas 2016.For other previous versions owners, the upgrade will be at the same price as of today's upgrade from v1 to v2, except for the price in euros that will be adjusted a bit to take the exchange rate into account.

 

And if you happen to be at CES, take a look at the Macs demoing MQA, you will see the pre-release of Audirvana Plus 3 in action:

[Musicophile]

Damien, two questions, given that this update really only adds value to MQA owners and streamers:

 

Will future feature upgrades be done in parallel in v2 and 3, i.e. Is v3 necessary only if you need MQA, or will v2 stay at 2.6, and everybody needs to upgrade to 3 if you want to benefit from future improvements?

 

Are there any features in v3 beyond MQA that would make it attractive for all users?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

[jhwalker]

Audirvana Plus 3, announced at CES 2017, is the first audiophile player that integrates the MQA Core Decoder.

As Jud said, this enables:

 

• MQA capable audio devices to benefit from the complete MQA audio quality. In this case Audirvana Plus continues to bring the strongly audible Sound Quality improvement of its optimized audio engine.
  
• Non MQA capable audio devices to benefit from the high resolution (doubled sample rate compared to the encoded file one) thanks to the MQA decoder integrated in Audirvana Plus 3. In this case, Audirvana Plus brings, in addition to the general Sound Quality improvement, the decoding of the MQA file that would be played only at little above CD quality otherwise, losing all its high resolution benefits.
  

 

Audirvana Plus 3.0 is scheduled for release end of January 2017.

 

Upgrade will be free for customers who have purchased Audirvana Plus 2 since Christmas 2016.For other previous versions owners, the upgrade will be at the same price as of today's upgrade from v1 to v2, except for the price in euros that will be adjusted a bit to take the exchange rate into account.

 

And if you happen to be at CES, take a look at the Macs demoing MQA, you will see the pre-release of Audirvana Plus 3 in action:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32172[/ATTACH]

 

Can't wait! Would love to get in on the beta if you have any slots available.

[Dr Tone]

Audirvana Plus 3, announced at CES 2017, is the first audiophile player that integrates the MQA Core Decoder.

 

You are sounding like Apple, using the word is when you haven't even released it yet. I hope no one else releases before you.

[rickca]

This allows - Owners of an MQA renderer without the full embedded decoder to play the full MQA stream.

Can you give me some examples of such a device?

 

So the MQA core decoder in A+ V3 has some value, but you still need an MQA enabled device to get the real raison d'etre sound quality benefits of MQA (customized filter).

 

I don't find this a compelling reason to upgrade to V3, but it's nice to have.

 

Given that Roon is also doing some flavor of MQA implementation, I think it's now especially important for A+ V3 to deliver a networking component to extend its reach beyond a directly attached DAC. If I could use A+ with it's TIDAL/Qobuz integration, library management, remote control and PCM to DSD conversion with my Sonore micro rendu ... that would be a surefire way to get me to upgrade.

[jamesg11]

Can you give me some examples of such a device?

 

So the MQA core decoder in A+ V3 has some value, but you still need an MQA enabled device to get the real raison d'etre sound quality benefits of MQA (customized filter).

 

I don't find this a compelling reason to upgrade to V3, but it's nice to have.

 

Given that Roon is also doing some flavor of MQA implementation, I think it's now especially important for A+ V3 to deliver a networking component to extend its reach beyond a directly attached DAC. If I could use A+ with it's TIDAL/Qobuz integration, library management, remote control and PCM to DSD conversion with my Sonore micro rendu ... that would be a surefire way to get me to upgrade.

Ditto ...

[watercourse]

Ditto ...

 

Agree

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

[Kilauea50]

Can't wait! Would love to get in on the beta if you have any slots available.

 

+1 on the beta

[bobbmd]

damien78- I love your product! Does this mean with an audioquest dragonfly RED will I get MQA decoded as it will be a MQA DAC?? Will there be an added cost for A+ 3 or not didn't quite understand your above description and if so how much in us$

thanks again for a great product

[photonman]

This is exciting stuff. I am hoping this MQA really goes ballistic. I will surely be upgrading to v.3 at launch!

[photonman]

I was reading Benchmark's doom and gloom forecast for MQA, and since I use the digital volume controls of A+, does that mean I would lose the MQA stream?

 

"MQA requires a lossless transmission system from the file source to the final D/A converter. Benign DSP processes such as a digital volume control (used in moderation) immediately defeat the MQA decoding. The same is true for digital crossovers, digital EQ, and room correction."

[ecwl]

I was reading Benchmark's doom and gloom forecast for MQA, and since I use the digital volume controls of A+, does that mean I would lose the MQA stream?

 

"MQA requires a lossless transmission system from the file source to the final D/A converter. Benign DSP processes such as a digital volume control (used in moderation) immediately defeat the MQA decoding. The same is true for digital crossovers, digital EQ, and room correction."

 

Your Modi MB is not an MQA DAC. So A+ would decode the MQA stream to 24/88 or 24/96 and then you can still apply digital volume controls in A+ with the 24/88 or 24/96 signal and send it to your DAC. You're still getting most of the benefits of MQA since you're getting a 24/88 or 24/96 stream rather than a 16/44 stream. After all, I think the best way to think about MQA is that it is both a minimally lossy compression scheme from hi-res to 24/44 FLAC and it is a specification to tell your DAC what digital upsampling filter to use once the 24/44 FLAC is decompressed back into the original hi-res form. Using A+ to decode, you'll lose the latter functionality but you're still getting most of the hi-res goodness.

[photonman]

Your Modi MB is not an MQA DAC. So A+ would decode the MQA stream to 24/88 or 24/96 and then you can still apply digital volume controls in A+ with the 24/88 or 24/96 signal and send it to your DAC. You're still getting most of the benefits of MQA since you're getting a 24/88 or 24/96 stream rather than a 16/44 stream. After all, I think the best way to think about MQA is that it is both a minimally lossy compression scheme from hi-res to 24/44 FLAC and it is a specification to tell your DAC what digital upsampling filter to use once the 24/44 FLAC is decompressed back into the original hi-res form. Using A+ to decode, you'll lose the latter functionality but you're still getting most of the hi-res goodness.

 

Thank you for the explanation. To me it sounds like a software decoder is a good middle road way to go for those of us that really do not want to have to go out and get a first gen MQA certified DAC. I will be a wallflower at this dance for a while.

[damien78]

Damien, two questions, given that this update really only adds value to MQA owners and streamers:

Will future feature upgrades be done in parallel in v2 and 3, i.e. Is v3 necessary only if you need MQA, or will v2 stay at 2.6, and everybody needs to upgrade to 3 if you want to benefit from future improvements?

Are there any features in v3 beyond MQA that would make it attractive for all users?

There is a 2.6.5 I'm currently completing with bug fixes.

v3.0 brings MQA core decoder, and further optimizations in the audio engine.

Any new feature will now come in the 3.x line.

Only major bugs if any discovered would then trigger a 2.6.x update

And, though I'm not in the vaporware business , a hint on my roadmap: v3.1 will bring network streaming to devices like the µRendu

 

Damien

[rickca]

v3.1 will bring network streaming to devices like the µRendu

That's fantastic news, Damien! Thank you.

[Musicophile]

There is a 2.6.5 I'm currently completing with bug fixes.

v3.0 brings MQA core decoder, and further optimizations in the audio engine.

Any new feature will now come in the 3.x line.

Only major bugs if any discovered would then trigger a 2.6.x update

And, though I'm not in the vaporware business , a hint on my roadmap: v3.1 will bring network streaming to devices like the µRendu

 

Damien

 

OK, I'll get 3.0 in any case, even if I don't need MQA.

[Musicophile]

Damien, will there be an update to the remote app in the near future? It would be great if the search function would be aligned with the MacOS app.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

[Mark P.]

There is a 2.6.5 I'm currently completing with bug fixes.

v3.0 brings MQA core decoder, and further optimizations in the audio engine.

Any new feature will now come in the 3.x line.

Only major bugs if any discovered would then trigger a 2.6.x update

And, though I'm not in the vaporware business , a hint on my roadmap: v3.1 will bring network streaming to devices like the µRendu

 

Damien

 

 

Damien

 

Could you further explain what it means by "Further Optimization in Core Engine"?

 

What can a 2.x customer expect from upgrading in term of sound quality (without using the MQA function)?

 

Thanks

[jos]

Damien,

 

Can you inform us about a new release date?

 

 

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[yahooboy]

Can you inform us about a new release date?

 

 

+1

[mazuly]

Beta Testing Damien?

[jos]

Beta Testing Damien?

 

Agree, we can help!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile

[RunHomeSlow]

This is from Facebook of Audirvana:

And when will the version 3 come out?

Damien answered today the 17: in a few days now...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gonzbull]

It will be interesting to see which sounds better. Tidal App or Audirvana. Regardless of the outcome I'll be upgrading to A+ v3 as I feel v2.6.6 is the last of that series.