aubreybobb
New Member
I have done extensive comparisons between MQA encoded files and regular non MQA files.MQA is basically a scam. Proprietary encoder to get more money from manufacturers and users. Feedback on sound quality are mixed at best so there isnt any real benefit from the extra cost. Only reason it's its around is Tidal insists on putting their high res streams behind this proprietary format. Qobuz doesn't have this issue. If Spotify gets into high res or Amazon gets serious, i guess Tidal will be forced to drop it
As usual, when done well, it's breathtaking in terms of the naturalness of the music. Seems to strip away quite a few layers of dirt.
But then there are many MQA files which use a generic algorithm as opposed to algorithms where all original recording parameters were known and the process was able to be done bespoke basis. These generic MQA files gave it a bad name - one of the reasons, in my opinion why MQA is subject to controversy.