MQA is now available on CD, allowing any CD player to deliver more detailed, nuanced playback. When paired with a decoder, MQA-CD unveils the full master quality recording, just as it sounded in the studio.
The unique way in which MQA-CDs are encoded allows them to deliver richer, more natural audio on whichever device they’re played on - from a marked improvement on a standard device, to original master quality with an MQA decoder.
As a result of the MQA encoding process, MQA-CDs benefit from increased timing precision and de-blurring when played on any device.
Your CD player’s digital output (optical or coaxial) can be fed to an MQA decoder. The MQA decoder can restore the original high-resolution signal heard in the studio and confirm it, using the authentication signature. MQA-compatible DACs include: Esoteric Grandioso D1X, iFi Pro iDSD, NAD M33, Moon 680D by Simaudio, Meridian 818v3 Preamplifier, 218, 251 and Ultra DAC.
These CD players can recognise an MQA-CD. The built-in MQA decoder will automatically restore the high-resolution signal heard in the studio and confirm it, using the authentication signature. MQA-enabled CD players include the Pioneer PD-50AE, Luxman D-10X, Technics SL-G700 and Meridian 808v6.
The MQA technology has been developed from Bob Stuart’s lifetime of work. To get the full technical detail, visit his blog, Bob Talks.
