In anticipation of this week's Munich High End, which takes place May 18–21, MQA has announced several breakthroughs. The first involves its hardware partners, who have expanded to include AudioQuest, CanEver Audio, dCS, Esoteric, IAG, Krell, Lumin, Mark Levinson, Moon by Simaudio, Pro-Ject Audio Systems, TEAC, and Wadax. These are in addition to its existing partners, who include Aurender, Bel Canto, Bluesound, Cary, NAD, Brinkmann, Meridian, MSB, Mytek, Onkyo, Pioneer and Technics. All of the latter are expected to demonstrate MQA at the Munich show, with yet others showing at the Los Angeles Audio Show June 2–4.
Of special interest to budget-conscious audiophiles is AudioQuest's forthcoming (May 17) free firmware update for the DragonFly Black and DragonFly Red portable USB DACs, which will enable playback of all MQA files, including those in Tidal HiFi's growing Masters section. This update is AudioQuest's first implementation of MQA rendering technology, making full MQA playback accessible to all subscribers to Tidal's HiFi Masters streaming service
Audiolab and Quad intend to launch several MQA-integrated products in the respective premium 8300 and Artera ranges, and ensure that existing customers will have the option to upgrade their current DAC boards to MQA compatibility. Krell also intends to include MQA in its Digital Vanguard integrated amplifier and Universal DAC products. Select Simaudio Moon products, too, will soon offer MQA technology.
MQA also has new integration partners. StreamUnlimited is implementing MQA into their modular software solution, and Conversdigital will implement into their mconnect module. Manufacturers whose products include either company's modules will now be able to market MQA-ready products.
Computer Playback
Sonic Studio's forthcoming Amarra 4 Luxe media player is poised to join Audirvana Plus 3 in offering MQA local playback and streaming for computer audio aficionados and Tidal HiFi subscribers. On the Record
Speaking to all these developments, Spencer Chrislu, Director of Content Services, MQA, told Stereophile by phone, "In every emerging technology, there comes a tipping point where it changes from a niche product to one that is exciting and accessible to a mainstream audience. Our latest developments are driven by music fans demanding master quality in a manner that is in harmony with the evolving ways they are enjoying their music. This groundswell of excitement is being felt by manufacturers, content owners, module makers, artists, and producers alike—basically everyone involved in creating and bringing music to fans. We are thrilled to have all of these partners together in one place in Munich where music lovers can now see what MQA has to offer, and experience the growing number of playback options available to them."
While MQA's press release on these latest developments does not include mention of additional majors coming on board, it does include this juicy quote from Mark Piibe, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development and Digital Strategy, Sony Music Entertainment: "As a long-running supporter of MQA's high-resolution audio solutions, we are encouraged to see a growing number of digital service providers and consumer hardware companies adopting MQA technology to make studio sound quality from Sony Music artists available to streaming music consumers." The message implicit in this statement is that well before hell freezes over, Sony Music will release MQA-encoded recordings.
MQA founder Bob Stuart will attend both Munich High End and the Los Angeles Audio Show. In Munich, on Friday, May 19, he will speak in the Audio Reference room from 11am–noon and 2–2:30pm, and will appear on the Technology Stage from 4:30–5pm. On Saturday, May 20, he returns to the Audio Reference room from 11am–noon, and to the Technology Stage from 4:30–5pm. His blog posts on provenance and authentication appear here and here.
Update: Finally, Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent label sector that acts collectively on behalf of thousands of indie labels and distributors from more than 50 countries, announced a multi-year agreement that, according to the press release, "will support the world’s best-known independent labels to encode their master recordings in MQA’s industry-leading technology. The partnership will boost the uptake and growth of master-quality audio streaming."
Sonic Studio's forthcoming Amarra 4 Luxe media player is poised to join Audirvana Plus 3 in offering MQA local playback and streaming for computer audio aficionados and Tidal HiFi subscribers. On the Record
Speaking to all these developments, Spencer Chrislu, Director of Content Services, MQA, told Stereophile by phone, "In every emerging technology, there comes a tipping point where it changes from a niche product to one that is exciting and accessible to a mainstream audience. Our latest developments are driven by music fans demanding master quality in a manner that is in harmony with the evolving ways they are enjoying their music. This groundswell of excitement is being felt by manufacturers, content owners, module makers, artists, and producers alike—basically everyone involved in creating and bringing music to fans. We are thrilled to have all of these partners together in one place in Munich where music lovers can now see what MQA has to offer, and experience the growing number of playback options available to them."
