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[biggin165]

I recently purchased the MQA decoder and have it connected to my music system.  When I download the MQA.FLAC files from the 2L test bench they are being converted to plain FLAC files.  My library is all FLAC.  I changed the option to don't convert but the conversion is still happening???

The decoder (Mytek Brooklyn Dac)  has a lite that indicates when it is actually using the MQA decoder.  Initially I had it working but changed something and can not configure it to work. again.

Audio Device: Brooklyn Dac Waspi
Bitstreaming: DSD

Any feedback would be helpful.

[Awesome Donkey]

JRiver Media Center doesn't support MQA files.

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=101860.0
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=103102.0

[RD James]

Aren't "MQA files" just FLACs that need to be played at 100% volume without any DSP so the addititional data can be decoded by the DAC?

[AndrewFG]

Aren't "MQA files" just FLACs that need to be played at 100% volume without any DSP so the addititional data can be decoded by the DAC?

Nope. I think they pack data in the "unused" bits below the audible resolution floor, so the theory is that if you play them on a regular DAC you should not hear any downside, but if you have an MQA decoder you should hear an upside.

[RD James]

Nope. I think they pack data in the "unused" bits below the audible resolution floor, so the theory is that if you play them on a regular DAC you should not hear any downside, but if you have an MQA decoder you should hear an upside.

Yes, they have additional data in the LSB, but as far as JRiver is concerned they're just standard FLAC files.
Same thing would apply to HDCD tracks.
 
But you have to play them at 100% volume without any DSP for the decoding to work.

[biggin165]

Yes Rivers just treats the files as flac.  I was able to find a setting that allow me to use the dac as a volume control.  I finally understood how to configure and now everything is working good.  One limitation that I encountered was related to the subwoofer.  Since I come out of the dac go into the CP800 with XLRs for 2 channel music I am unable to utilize my subwoofer.  I don't see a method to output information to the sub.  Running the CP800 in bypass mode so the signal is just passing thru the Pre amp.

[RD James]

Yes Rivers just treats the files as flac.

They are just FLAC files.
There's no such thing as an "MQA File" it's just a lossless audio file with additional MQA data in the LSB, similar to how HDCD worked.
Until there's an open-source way to detect and decode the MQA data in these tracks, there's no way for a player to know that it's not just a standard FLAC music file and disable DSP (bitstream) automatically when playing it.

One limitation that I encountered was related to the subwoofer.  Since I come out of the dac go into the CP800 with XLRs for 2 channel music I am unable to utilize my subwoofer.  I don't see a method to output information to the sub.  Running the CP800 in bypass mode so the signal is just passing thru the Pre amp.

You would need to either use the RCA outputs from your DAC directly to the sub if it has a low-pass filter, or take the pre-amp out of bypass mode and have it send a low-passed signal to the sub. (assuming it can do that)
 
Until there's an open-source software decoder, MQA just seems like a hassle. You're better off buying native high-res tracks.

[biggin165]

This was my first experience using an external DAC so part of the hassle was my lack of knowledge for the most part it was hassle free.  Its is difficult for me to evaluate the sound quality because there is no material available to use for comparison.  I have downloaded all of the free music on the 2L test bench but would prefer comparing music that I'm use to listening to both Genre related and stuff I currently own.  Last night a reply on AVS forum recommended checking my Tidal settings and he showed photo's of a new setting for Master Audio maybe in preparation for the MQA release mine did not have it but this is encouraging.

Jrivers software is beast to learn but you have to get in there and play with stuff and you gradually learn the big picture.

Thks for the information.

[Audioseduction]

They are just FLAC files.
There's no such thing as an "MQA File" it's just a lossless audio file with additional MQA data in the LSB, similar to how HDCD worked.
Until there's an open-source way to detect and decode the MQA data in these tracks, there's no way for a player to know that it's not just a standard FLAC music file and disable DSP (bitstream) automatically when playing it.
You would need to either use the RCA outputs from your DAC directly to the sub if it has a low-pass filter, or take the pre-amp out of bypass mode and have it send a low-passed signal to the sub. (assuming it can do that)
 
Until there's an open-source software decoder, MQA just seems like a hassle. You're better off buying native high-res tracks.

Audirvana Plus 3 can detect and decode the MQA files.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/audirvana-playback-software-now-unfolds-mqa#rDPU2cD5cPP8uiYh.97

[Awesome Donkey]

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/highresaudio-to-stop-offering-mqa/