Stereophile Series on MQA Technology

[botrytis]

I find it funny and sad that Stereophile is so rabid about MQA. They really don't seem to want to hear the negative comments and tests that other websites, manufacturers an audiophiles have about it, like this page...

 

https://media.ccc.de/v/34c3-9113-mqa_-_a_clever_stealth_drm-trojan

 

and there are other. This all gives me pause.

[botrytis]

3 hours ago, GUTB said:

And yet—the Inconvenient Truth that MQA sound better is still with us. Last night I bough the 192 and MQA versions of the same album from hiresaudio and the MQA version is CLEARLY better. Since the booklet confirms that the album was mastered in multi-channel 24/192 with a stereo and MQA version also to be released (Japanese audiophile label UNAMAS) we are fairly well assured both versions are from the same source by the same engineer. This was on a Pro-Ject S2 that does native MQA full unfolding.

 

The difference was not small, and anyone with a native MQA DAC has had these experiences. What I’m really interested in knowing is if this is really the result of time domain deblurring or if there’s some form of EQ trick being applied. None of the MQA haters seem to be able to account for this and I hope Jim Austin can.

 

Can you prove they were from the same master? If you cannot - saying one is better than the other is basic nonsense. Just like 192 files can be made from CD masters, so can MQA files. Hence, we need verification BEFORE throwing more money down the rat hole, that is this hobby.

[botrytis]

For me, the point is that people, with no skin in the game, have basic research and have shown how MQA works and why it is bad - period. Deflection, etc does not does not make them wrong.

[botrytis]

I find it interesting that MQA say that ultrasonics have no affect on hearing. This is one of many papers I found on the exact opposite effect.

 

http://arpjournal.com/unheard-sounds-the-aesthetics-of-inaudible-sounds-made-audible/

 

it is quite interesting, actually.

 

 

[botrytis]

20 minutes ago, Galileo365 said:

 

I’m new to the forum and I don’t know those people at all, only know mansr by virtue of his abusive behavior. Maybe he forgets to take his Thorazine when they let him out of the nuthouse for the weekend. I said MQA is “supposed to do X”, something and that you can only prove it does or doesn’t do by looking both an MQA DAC and an MQA ADC, something that no one here has appparently thought to do. If you had read my very next post, you would have seen a controlled experiment designed to asses that, but maybe the person who reads for you given your apparent illiteracy had to leave for the day.

Uhh how can we? Since the process is closed. We have had people reverse engineer the system. I think you should Archimago's take on the MQA fiasco. Mansr really understands it also as does shadders. Please read background first.

[botrytis]

8 minutes ago, Galileo365 said:

 

I can spot a BS artist from a mile away, regardless of his or her background. mansr has already undermined his own credibility beyond repair from the perspective of any truly sensible and open-minded person.

But they aren't. I can already tell you have prejudged without understanding the background information on this site. It seems to me, you have done a disservice to mansr and others who have cut through the lies and doublespeak of the MQA lackeys. 

 

People have given you some slack because you are a new member. BUT, calling into question, members of quality standing, like mansr, etc only makes you more suspect as an MQA shill.

 

I am not an expert in this field, I am here to learn. It seems like you are here to throw bombs at people.

[botrytis]

Quote

 

3 hours ago, Jud said:

 

Thanks for reminding me again.  So even though all digital is going to be lossy in some sense since we don't have perfect filters (but we can have very good ones), beyond the filtering these folks are actively throwing away bits to do proprietary (and unnecessary) compression.

Well, depending on the DAC, one does not need to use any filters. Some allow you to play music w/o filters.