HDTracks stopped carrying MQA format files

[m8o]

I recently bought an MQA capable DAC; not for its MQA, but it has it (X16). So figured I would tip my toes in the MQA waters.

I'm a music buyer, not a music streamer. As HDTracks is also my preferred music vendor, I requested assistance from them when I could not find any. I was told:

"HDtracks recently stopped offering MQA titles pending a decision from management. I do not know if MQA titles will be offered again." Hmm!

Doesn't seem that I can buy TIDAL Masters w/o a subscription (again, not an option). Can I? Another big MQA download vendor I find is overseas and prevents me from purchasing from them.

So, where is someone like me to buy the millions of Warner Music titles they are marketing?

 

[Ron Texas]

Sorry, but there are endless threads about MQA with the discussion going in the direction of it's a solution in search of a problem. Acquire the music you love and don't worry about MQA. Your DAC is probably excellent as most are these days.

 

[Mnyb]

MQA does not even start to make sense as download. Get the real 24/96 version from HD tracks instead.

 

[m8o]

Seems it makes the most sense in eeking out the "best sound" from the "smallest size". As a local music user, I realize that is not a concern. Just wanted to hear what the fuss was all about.

 

[Mnyb]

Smaller size makes more sense in streaming where the trafic is significant to thousands or millions of users. for local storage not so much . For local storage also choose flac as it is open source and non proprietary and has good tag support.

For the endless discussion on MQA do search out the other treads.

 

[somebodyelse]

If you want to compare with/without MQA try the samples from 2l.no - they're decent recordings but as always we have to take their word for it that they're not otherwise altered.

 

[granosalis]

Just added 627 Album in MQA format in HD tracks.

HDTracks MQA

 

[m8o]

Just added 627 Album in MQA format in HD tracks.

HDTracks MQA

much thanx for the fyi! I will head over and have a look at the titles.

Edit: anyone else reading this thread update, this thread topic is strictly about buying and downloading mqa in the USA. Please don't turn this thread into anything else but that. Early replies started down that road. Glad they or that stopped.

 

[Graham849]

Lenbrook the new owner of MQA has now partnered with HDTracks and will provide a new Flac/MQA streaming service.

Lenbrook Media Group, HDtracks Create New Streaming Service

Service based on AIRIA by MQA Labs codec will showcase scalable audio technology while offering consumer choice in hi-res audio formats.

restechtoday.com

 

[Ron Texas]

Hallelujah!

 

[Sal1950]

I recently bought an MQA capable DAC; not for its MQA, but it has it (X16). So figured I would tip my toes in the MQA waters.

Sorry but stick a fork in it, MQA is done, It's been rejected by the audiophile communities the world over.
Depending on who you believe, it's always been my opinion and many others that the claims of de-blurring was a big
lie and smoke screen. Now if the fully "unfolded" MQA file does indeed sound different than a non-MQA release, it also sounds
different from the mix the artists and production team heard and approved in the studio. That alone, IMHO makes is wrong..
Save yourself some time, money, & grief and just stick with the best quality std releases available.
Your decision.

 

[Sal1950]

Lenbrook the new owner of MQA has now partnered with HDTracks and will provide a new Flac/MQA streaming service.

Lenbrook Media Group, HDtracks Create New Streaming Service

Service based on AIRIA by MQA Labs codec will showcase scalable audio technology while offering consumer choice in hi-res audio formats.

restechtoday.com

It hasn't been made very clear yet, or if it has I'm not aware but Lenbroods "AIRIA" isn't MQA and how
compatible it will be with the older MQA codec only time will tell. It may require yet again new DAC support?

"The HDtracks service will be the first to use Lenbrook’s AIRIA by MQA Labs, a transparent delivery codec equally suited for streaming from the cloud or wirelessly from a device to headphones. Designed for low-latency wireless communications by the inventors of lossless compression, it brings the benefits of a format-agnostic, scalable codec with an unmatched combination of audio quality, reliability, and data-efficiency."

And it still hasn't been detailed if AIRIA is truly lossless or just another smokescreen like we got about the "lossy" MQA.

 

[diddley]

@Sal1950 that would be somthing, that the ratrace starts all over again with buying a new dac so you can play a new "like the artist intended"codec.
Lets see how stupid people are if they buy into this shit.

 

[amirm]

The little write up says it needs 20 mbit/sec for full fidelity so likely it is truly lossless then. They say devices will appear in 2025. I hope they know what a huge task it is to get adoption of a new codec.

 

[Graham849]

It hasn't been made very clear yet, or if it has I'm not aware but Lenbroods "AIRIA" isn't MQA and how
compatible it will be with the older MQA codec only time will tell. It may require yet again new DAC support?

My understanding is AIRIA is the rebadging of MQA-air, ie MQA for Bluetooth transmission. Backward compatibility will be interesting. Reciva Internet Radio anyone?

 

[diddley]

My bet is that people wont buy into this, they are well fed with the streaming as it is , and they are not searching for the next new codec.
I am happy with FLAC and the sound quality is perfect.from my rips aswell as from the different services.

 

[Sal1950]

We do have the luxury of some rock music lyrics to remind us, LOL

"Once Bitten Twice Shy" Ian Hunter & Great White

Or
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who

 

[ThatM1key]

MQA Labs?