Stereophile / Art Dudley: First Time Redbook Preferred Over MQA?

[Anodyne Jones]

In his review of the MyTek Liberty DAC, Art Dudley, who is the only Stereophile writer I still read, says:

 

"Streaming MQA files from Tidal proved a mixed bag—though here I advise the reader that all of my stated praise and blame may have less to do with the Liberty DAC than the MQA files themselves. Comparing the MQA and 16/44.1 versions of "Since I've Been Loving You," from Led Zeppelin's III (Atlantic), I thought the latter sounded more dynamic/less compressed, and altogether more involving; in particular, the kick drum in the MQA version sounded less like a drum than someone tapping his thumb on an open mike."

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mytek-liberty-da-processor-page-2#wueKB10oZjEeLiwE.99

 

is this the first time Redbook got the nod nod over MQA? I think so...

 

But he then goes on to prefer a Bowie MQA album (ZIggy) to Redbook..(but which, there are dozens!)...

 

 

[Anodyne Jones]

Some thoughts come to mind..Dudley confined his MQA "comparisons" to Tidal.  So if you don't have Tidal, the MQA feature

is worthless is what he is saying...

 

All of the albums he mentioned  (Zep, Bowie, Rollins, West) are available as 24 bit downloads..why not compare THOSE versions?

[Anodyne Jones]

29 minutes ago, Ski Bum said:

Just to be fair -- in case anyone is inclined to fairness -- there is an excellent chance that the MQA files and redbook files for any album on Tidal are derived from different masterings.  The mastering differences are likely to have a greater impact on sound quality than the format differences.

Yes, and that point is completely lost on Dudley.

[Anodyne Jones]

16 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

 

your comment is uncalled for - are you a shill?

what does he even mean? how is it even relevant?

[Anodyne Jones]

I would bet my next paycheck that Art does not have the slightest clue about the particulars of MQA, and his knowledge base, and more importantly, his interest level in digital is zilch.

 

Vintage, analog, esoteric Japanese electronics? Second to none.